HONOLULU (AP) — After water polo practice at her school atop a hill overlooking Honolulu Harbor, Kapua Ong marvels at the sunset. I do feel proud of myself for getting in because not everyone gets accepted, said Kapua, 14, a freshman at Kamehameha Schools, a competitive private institution catering predominantly to Native Hawaiians.
The process began for Kapua when her parents registered her Native Hawaiian ancestry in a genealogy database, an early step that paved the way for her acceptance. Subsequently, she prepared for admissions testing showcasing her kung fu talents and proficiency in the Hawaiian language.
Kamehameha Schools, established under the will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop—a Hawaiian princess—has consistently given preference to Indigenous students. However, its admissions policy is now under fire as a campaign seeks to test its legality, influenced by recent movements against affirmative action in education.
Conservative opponents, galvanized by a Supreme Court ruling, are focused on redefining racial discrimination, targeting admissions, educational scholarships, and diversity programs. This has united various groups, including Students for Fair Admissions, which has vowed to challenge Kamehameha’s admissions criteria.
Supporters of the school's mission, including alumni and community leaders, are advocating for the protection of its policy, emphasizing its role in remedying systemic disparities resulting from U.S. colonization and historical injustices. They argue that the school's mission is critical for preserving Hawaiian culture amidst broader educational opportunities.
Attending Kamehameha Schools not only serves as an educational opportunity but also connects students to their cultural heritage, providing facilities and programs that resonate with Hawaiian traditions.
The school system, which boasts a $15 billion endowment, frequently sees far more applications than available spots, underscoring the competitive nature of admissions.
More than 5,400 students attend the Kamehameha campuses across Hawaii, with the admissions policy favoring Native Hawaiians viewed as a countermeasure against historical inequities.
Opponents, including Students for Fair Admissions led by Edward Blum, view the policy as exclusionary and anticipate a court battle that could reshape Kamehameha’s practices. Meanwhile, state leaders, including Brenton Awa, have called the initiative a form of racism, standing firmly with the school to uphold its cultural mission.
The future of Kamehameha's admissions policy now lies at the intersection of cultural preservation and the evolving conversations on race and equity within education.
