In the last 20 years, there have been two major lawsuits regarding the school’s admissions policy. One is from “John Doe” suing to gain admission to the school. The second was brought about after a student lied on his application that he was Hawaiian, and when he was asked to verify his Hawaiian heritage, it came out that his mother falsified his application. The school then rescinded his acceptance offer which led to his mother suing the school. Now, Kamehameha Schools will defend its admissions policy for a third time.
Information on Pauahi, Her Will, Timeline, & Other Resources
Pauahi's Letters, Papers, and Diaries
Writings on perseverance and ʻāina
Ke Kumukānāwai o ka Makahiki 1839
In 1839, Hawaiʻi was formally established as a constitutional monarchy under the leadership of ka Mōʻī Kamehameha lll, Kauikeouli. Governed by the principles of this constitution, Charles Reed Bishop fulfilled the wishes outlined in the will of his late wife, Kamaliʻi Wahine ʻo Bernice Pauahi Bishop, following her passing in 1884. In 1887, the Kamehameha School for Boys was founded to advance her vision of educational opportunity for Native Hawaiian youth. In 1893, the Hawaiian Kingdomʻs constitution and sovereign government were illegally overthrown by those opposed to the monarch.
After the school won the case in the local court, John Doe then appealed to the 9th Circuit Courts. The panel of three judges did not agree with Kamehameha’s policy and sided with John Doe. However, the school appealed that ruling which led to the judgement by the full panel of judges who upheld our admissions policy.
Journey for Justice - Protest on Maui after the three judge panel in the Ninth Circuit Court ruled against the school’s admission policy
Kamehameha Will Fight Ruling - when the Court Did Not Side with Kamehameha Schools
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals strikes down 117-year-old policy - Three judge panel ruled that Kamehameha Schools’ policy for preference of applicants of Hawaiian ancestry was illegal
After the full panel of judges for the 9th Circuit Court ruled in the school’s favor, John Doe’s attorney planned to appeal to the Supreme Court. Before the case could be argued, the school and John Doe reached a settlement. However, the fight continued after the settlement.
Lawsuit Over Hawaii Schools’ Admissions Policy Is Settled
New Challenge to Kamehameha Schools Admissions Policy Filed - A lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Hawaiʻi shortly after the John Doe case was settled, but the court refused to hear the challenge and was dismissed.
Court Tosses Challenge to Hawaii Admissions Policy - Ninth Circuit dismisses case
U.S. Supreme Court declines Kamehameha admissions case - Four non-Hawaiian students challenged Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, and the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the case.
Court’s official rulings of the case throughout the process:
Doe v. KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS/BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP, 295 F. Supp. 2d 1141 (D. Haw. 2003) - The original filing in the Hawaiʻi State Court
Doe v. Kamehameha Schools (opinion) - The appeal to the 9th Circuit Court
John Doe and Rabago v. Kamehameha Schools (opinion) - 3-panel 9th Circuit Court Decision
These articles explain the case about the boy who was accepted to Kamehameha but falsified his application to the school about him being Hawaiian.
Kaua’i student’s lineage at center of controversy
Non-Hawaiian Boy Allowed to Stay at Exclusive Private School -
KS Maui campusʻ tradition as a commitment to Ke Aliʻi Pauahi's educational legacy
A collection of videos, films, and readings that ea-ducate on the political status and history of the Hawaiian Kingdom, inviting reflection on ea, sovereignty, and our shared responsibility for the future.
Moʻolelo gain power with each telling and retelling. It is no mistake that our kūpuna called each version of our moʻolelo a mana. The stories below are the kinds of stories that bring mana to our lāhui. Stories about how connecting to our culture brings success. About how our keiki know the importance of community. About how bright the future is when it is built upon nohona Hawaiʻi.
This chant from David Malo's Hawaiian Antiquities and was sung when the great logs for canoes and/or heiau idols were hauled. The spirit of the chant calls for the joining together of people for a single purpose.
