HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 427 Draft 01 2024-2026A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND REAFFIRMING THE KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS' ADMISSION POLICY, MISSION AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY, AND EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY AS IT DEFENDS
THE LEGACY OF KE ALIʻI BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP.
WHEREAS, in 1883, Kamehameha Schools was founded under the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop as a private, charitable trust dedicated to improving the well-being of Native Hawaiians
through education; and
WHEREAS, Ke Aliʻi Pauahi, was descended from generations of aliʻi and inherited lands passed down from Hawaiʻi’s royal lineages; and
WHEREAS, since its establishment, Kamehameha Schools has upheld Pauahi’s vision for nearly one hundred forty years by preserving the Hawaiian language, promoting culture-based education,
and granting scholarships, thus supporting the education of thousands of haumāna across the pae ʻāina; and
WHEREAS, Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy withstood two challenges in federal courts, notably with the Ninth Circuit Court upholding the policy in 2006, recognizing its validity
as a remedial measure; and
WHEREAS, a new challenge to the admissions policy was filed on October 20, 2025, by the Virginia-based, nonprofit organization, Students for Fair Admissions, seeking to dismantle Kamehameha
Schools’ one-hundred-forty-year-old policy grounded in Ke Aliʻi Pauahi’s will; and
WHEREAS, Kamehameha Schools has pledged to vigorously defend its admissions policy, affirming that preserving the policy is essential to upholding the integrity of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi’s
kauoha (testamentary instructions); and
WHEREAS, the Council of the County of Hawaiʻi recognizes Kamehameha Schools’ long-standing contributions to education, land stewardship, cultural perpetuation, and community well-being
across Hawaiʻi Island; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that this body:
1. Expresses solidarity with Kamehameha Schools as it defends its admissions policy and the legacy and charitable intent of Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop; and
2. Honors and reaffirms Pauahi’s vision, whose enduring gift continues to strengthen the cultural, educational, and spiritual fabric of Hawaiʻi; and
3. Strongly supports the Kamehameha Schools’ mission and recognizes its contributions to the Native Hawaiian community; and
4. Affirms the County of Hawaiʻi’s commitment to educational equity, cultural preservation, and self-determination for Native Hawaiians.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that that the Council encourages all residents of Hawaiʻi Island to recognize and support Kamehameha Schools’ efforts in preserving Native Hawaiian culture, language,
and educational opportunities, and to celebrate the enduring legacy of Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop in strengthening the well-being of the Native Hawaiian community.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Joshua B. Green, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawaiʻi; Members of the State Legislature;
Anne E. Lopez, Attorney General; Kaialiʻi Kahele, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Kali Watson, Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission; Dawn N.S.
Chang, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; the Honorable Keith T. Hayashi, Superintendent of the Department of Education; the Honorable Rick Blangiardi, Mayor of
the City and County of Honolulu; the Honorable Derek S.K. Kawakami, Mayor of the County of Kauaʻi; the Honorable Richard T. Bissen, Jr., Mayor of the County of Maui; the Honorable C.
Kimo Alameda, Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi; Crystal K. Rose, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Livingston “Jack” Wong, Chief Executive Officer of
Kamehameha Schools; Dr. Waiʻaleʻale Arroyo, Interim Poʻo Kula, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama; Dr. Scott Parker, Poʻo Kula, Kamehameha Schools Maui; Kāhealani Nae‘ole-Wong, Poʻo Kula, Kamehameha
Schools Hawaiʻi; and Shelli Kim, Vice President of Hiʻialo.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
HUSTACE
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
ONISHI
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.