HONOLULU (AP) — After water polo practice at her school overlooking Honolulu Harbor, Kapua Ong expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to attend Kamehameha Schools, a prestigious institution that prioritizes Native Hawaiian ancestry in its admissions. Like many local students, Kapua took steps to secure her place at this competitive school by providing necessary documentation of her Native Hawaiian heritage from an early age.
Currently, a campaign led by Students for Fair Admissions challenges this unique admissions policy. This initiative comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that has emboldened efforts to redefine racial discrimination in educational spaces, particularly concerning affirmative action. Lawmakers and activists against Kamehameha's admissions view these policies as discriminatory against non-Native Hawaiian students.
The private school, funded by a substantial endowment of over $15 billion, aims to address historical disparities faced by the Native Hawaiian community, which struggles with higher rates of poverty and educational disadvantage. Advocates like Andria Tupola, a Kamehameha alumnus, implore the institution to uphold its mission of supporting Hawaiian culture through education.
Founded by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kamehameha Schools remains a critical institution in Hawaii, offering ample resources and fostering deep cultural connections. Yet the conversation about race and education continues to evolve, and the future of its admissions policy is currently uncertain amidst mounting legal challenges. Kamehameha has faced similar scrutiny in the past and expresses confidence in the legality of its policies, emphasizing the school's commitment to helping uplift Native Hawaiian students.
