Kamehameha Schools Admissions Under Scrutiny: Legal Challenge to Native Hawaiian Preference

Tue Sep 23 2025 09:11:04 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A campaign is underway challenging the admissions policy at Kamehameha Schools, which favors Native Hawaiian students. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling affecting affirmative action, raising significant questions about race-based preferences in education.

Kamehameha Schools, a prestigious private institution in Hawaii, is under legal scrutiny for its admissions policy granting preference to Native Hawaiian students. This initiative is fueled by a push against race-based admissions following new legal precedents from the Supreme Court. While supporters argue it addresses historical inequities, opponents claim it discriminates against non-Native applicants. The future of this policy hangs in the balance as advocates gather support for its defense.

Following water polo practice overlooking Honolulu Harbor, Kapua Ong expresses pride in being accepted into Kamehameha Schools, which prioritizes Native Hawaiian students.

Kapua’s entry into this coveted institution started when her parents submitted her Native Hawaiian ancestry to a genealogy database. Alongside an admissions test, she showcased her kung fu skills and fluency in Hawaiian. Kamehameha Schools gives preference to Indigenous Hawaiians within legal bounds, yet a recent campaign aims to test this policy's legality.

As opposition against affirmative action gains momentum, especially in light of a Supreme Court ruling, various groups are rallying against policies like that of Kamehameha. These critics argue that non-Native Hawaiian students face insurmountable barriers, and a resource was recently launched to challenge Kamehameha’s admissions criteria.

Local leaders and alumni are rallying for support to defend the school's policy, seeing it as crucial for addressing the disparities faced by the Native Hawaiian community, particularly concerning educational opportunities.

Kamehameha Schools, established through the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, was designed to uplift Native Hawaiians and continues to serve that mission today, with a notable endowment exceeding $15 billion.

For students like Kapua, attending Kamehameha offers not just academic success, but a profound connection to Hawaiian culture amidst a backdrop of historical injustices and societal challenges faced by Native Hawaiians.

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