Court rules against school's Hawaiians-only policy.

This is causing so much drama here like you would not BELIEVE.

Court rules against Kamehameha admissions

By Rick Daysog
Advertiser Staff Writer

A federal appeals court today struck down the Kamehameha Schools' century-old Hawaiian preference admissions policy, saying it violates federal anti-discrimination law.
A panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of an unidentified non-Hawaiian high school student who was turned down for admission in 2003. The decision reversed a ruling by U.S. District Judge Alan Kay that the Kamehameha Schools could continue the Hawaiians-only admissions policy because of its unique historical circumstances.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../br/br01p.html

A bit of background on the Kamehameha Schools. It was started in 1884 under the will of one of the last princesses of the Hawaiian monarchy, a direct descendant of Kamehameha I. Kamehameha was started as a way to ensure that children of Hawaiian ancestry could receive the proper education at a time when socio-economic conditions for them was at their absolute worst due to Western influence...which eventually led to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Today, the Kamehameha Schools is funded by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, worth $6.2 billion, making them one of the richest...if not THE richest school in the country.

Now, as someone who is of Hawaiian ancestry and who has had many family members (my brother and 2 sisters included) attend this school, I am fully aware of Princess Pauahi's will and am saddened to hear that one of the few things "truly Hawaiian" will be no more, should this ruling be upheld.

At the same time, and I am really afraid to let my true feelings known publicly to my friends and those around me...at the same time, I'm surprised that the federal government let Kamehameha's Hawaiians-only admissions policy stay in effect for so long.

The princess' intent was to make sure that Hawaiian kids get educated because basically they were treated like shit in the mid-1800s. They've been getting educated. They have productive citizens of society, one even being a Senator in Congress and another who recently retired as one of the Army's highest ranking officers. To me, the princess' will has fulfilled its purpose...so is it so bad that I think that the $6.2 billion should be used to include those non-Hawaiian? God forbid anyone from Hawaii reads this or else I'd really get ripped a new one. It was discrimination in a sense. That's why I can't believe it took so long for a judge to let them know that.

In one article I read today, one of the attorneys tried to make a connection between this and the segregation of schools in the south in the 50s and 60s. The intent behind each is totally different, IMO, but whatever.

I was just curious as to what you all think. Geesh, I really should have posted this in my LJ instead.

For those interested in seeing how endowed this school really is, visit the Kamehameha Schools