October 16, 2004
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
I would also like to thank everyone standing here with us. They reflect Hawaii's broader community in support of Kamehameha Schools, its mission and its purpose to educate native Hawaiian children. The trustees, CEO, Dr. Chun and the entire Kamehameha Schools 'ohana greatly appreciate that you have given up your time today to stand with us as we make this very important announcement.
We are announcing today that the date has been set to hear the appeal of our case in the John Doe v. Kamehameha Schools lawsuit challenging Kamehameha's policy of giving preference in admissions to applicants of native Hawaiian ancestry.
The date has been set for Thursday, November 4, 2004, and it will be heard here in Hawai'i. The hearing venue is scheduled to be the Moot Court classroom at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.
Kamehameha Schools will argue that the appeals court should uphold the ruling issued by Federal Judge Alan Kay last November and let our preference policy stand.
Judge Kay noted that Kamehameha's history and mission are unique, and that Kamehameha Schools is a private institution – we do not accept any federal money. Judge Kay also affirmed that Kamehameha Schools' mission parallels a recognized need for educational remediation for Hawaiians that has been affirmed by Congress.
Finally, Judge Kay acknowledged that Kamehameha Schools exists to correct the social imbalances Hawaiians continue to suffer from that began with Western contact and continue today: we die younger. We are less educated. More of us are in poverty. More of us are in prison. More of us are unemployed, and the list goes on. This is not right and it is not acceptable.
We have a strong case to make, and we are prepared to make it on November 4. We are prepared to defend our policy for as long as it takes to correct the social and educational imbalances suffered by Hawaiians. All we want is to fulfill the mission that Ke Ali'i Pauahi entrusted with us more than 100 years ago. We see this as an issue of equality. We need to restore the balance that has been lost.
This is also an opportunity for all of us to stand together and support this mission and its benefit to our society. I hope the entire community – all of Hawaii's people – come together for this purpose; to bring about balance, equality, hope and healing. Mahalo.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
