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

[kddani]

The court's ruling shouldn't come to a surprise to many.

I just read the title and was like yep, that's right, even though I didn't know anything about the situation. Frankly, it's quite a surprise that it survived this long, I guess no one had the balls or (time/money) to challenge it. It's pretty cut and dry racial discrimination. Not even discrimination "in a sense". When the past harms have been long since remedies, there's really no excuse for it.

Is there even any current discrimination against Hawaiians?

I'm sure it's sad for some, but like you said, the original purpose has been carried out. That happens all the time with charitable trusts that have been in existence for awhile. Either the trust will be dissolved or what the money goes to will be changed a little so that it's still keeping in the spirit of the original purpose but legal.

[AlphaSigOU]

Man, that sucks... it's a private school, with private funding, and they should be able to control who gets to attend.

Am I going to piss and moan mightily then sic the lawyers on the Hockaday School (a very famous girls-only school here in Dallas) because they wouldn't let me in, even if I had the cash to attend? Nichts mich. (Not me.)

I can see that Brown vs. Board of Education was an important step in the integration of PUBLIC schools. Previous to that, minorities were sent to school systems that were 'separate but equal' but were much more inferior than the majority.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid my response and feelings on this subject could wind up being misinterpreted as racist, which I'm not, so I don't want to go any further on this.

I think the article mentioned something about a non-Hawaiian being admitted about 2 years ago. He was trying to enroll at the Kamehameha-Maui Campus (there are three campuses on Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island), and was admitted. However, after the admissions committee reviewed his application, it was discovered that his mother was not of Hawaiian ancestry. She was adopted by a Hawaiian family as a baby, but as far as her ancestry was concerned...she was Caucasian and nothing else.

The mom sued, the courts sided with the mom, and despite appeals from KSBE, Kamehameha was forced to let the kid finish and graduate (he'll be a senior this year).

That kid got SHIT from his peers and the community because he challenged the system. I don't agree with how he was treated, and while I applaud the mom for trying to make a statement, what kind of parent would do such a thing at the expense of having her kid be bullied and threatened when he went to school?

Taking this into consideration, if KSBE loses their appeal and is forced to start admitting non-Hawaiians into the school, what normal non-Hawaiian would even take the risk of subjecting themselves to the same treatment?

Sure, it's a big school...but people talk. People will know you're not "one of them".

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
Am I going to piss and moan mightily then sic the lawyers on the Hockaday School (a very famous girls-only school here in Dallas) because they wouldn't let me in, even if I had the cash to attend? Nichts mich. (Not me.)

This is a strawman - would you also "piss and moan" if I started a school that only allowed white students of European ancestry enter?

[jubilance1922]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
Man, that sucks... it's a private school, with private funding, and they should be able to control who gets to attend.

Am I going to piss and moan mightily then sic the lawyers on the Hockaday School (a very famous girls-only school here in Dallas) because they wouldn't let me in, even if I had the cash to attend? Nichts mich. (Not me.)

I can see that Brown vs. Board of Education was an important step in the integration of PUBLIC schools. Previous to that, minorities were sent to school systems that were 'separate but equal' but were much more inferior than the majority.

Unfortunately, I'm afraid my response and feelings on this subject could wind up being misinterpreted as racist, which I'm not, so I don't want to go any further on this.

If this is a PRIVATE school, then why was this even an issue? I was under the impression that PRIVATE orgs, schools, clubs, etc. can discriminate because they are PRIVATE.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by jubilance1922
If this is a PRIVATE school, then why was this even an issue? I was under the impression that PRIVATE orgs, schools, clubs, etc. can discriminate because they are PRIVATE.

That's what I thought too.

Why can't they just be smart and find some other way to exclude non-Hawaiians? Like make the kid take some hard test and kick him out after he flunks.

-Rudey

Originally posted by ariesrising
There's always the option of someone starting a private school for people with no Hawaiian ancestry to learn the same things taught at the Kamehameha Schools.

LOL, there already is one. Started by Princess Pauahi's Caucasian in-laws. No joke. Hawaiian ancestry not required, but your parents need to make a whole lotta $$$ to send you there. Pulling teeth is easier than being admitted.

Punahou School

Steve Case, Kelly Preston, Norm Chow, the late Mark Tuinei, Mosi Tatupu, the chick who played Fook Yoo (or Fook Mi) in Austin Powers: Goldmember are all Punahou alums.

[carnation]

I'm trying to remember: if a private school accepts any federal money, are they allowed to discriminate on the basis of race?

[Tom Earp]

OTW, no wonder that Hawaii wants to tell the Federal Govt. to go suck Toes, Puond Sand, or what ever!

Welcome to the friggen Judicial Beauacracy!

I read this and went Holly S*it! What now?

If and only if They do not get Federal Funding, they should tell the to screw off!

There seems to no longer be a distinction of the three parts of The Govt. envisioned By our Founders.

Bastardizing seems to be the Norm!

Originally posted by carnation
I'm trying to remember: if a private school accepts any federal money, are they allowed to discriminate on the basis of race?

I'm thinking no.

The school's funded by a trust worth $6.2 billion. I doubt they'd need any federal help. I don't think they get any, if I'm not mistaken.

The school doesn't even solicit donations from their alumni. They're just so damn loaded.

[CutiePie2000]

How much Hawaiian blood do you have to possess? Can you be 1/4 Hawaiian (from 1 grandparent) or can you be even more...uh..."diluted" than that? Just wondering how they decide who is worthy of entry and who isn't.

In any case, given the reasons for why it was set up like this in the first place, Princess Pauahi must be rolling in her grave.

Originally posted by CutiePie2000
How much Hawaiian blood do you have to possess? Can you be 1/4 Hawaiian (from 1 grandparent) or can you be even more...uh..."diluted" than that? Just wondering how they decide who is worthy of entry and who isn't.

You can be as diluted as you want, as long as you have one Hawaiian ancestor.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by OTW
You can be as diluted as you want, as long as you have one Hawaiian ancestor.

Really? I guess records have been kept for a long time and it's easy to trace?

[CutiePie2000]

Wow, I looked at the school's website and they have photos.

That school looks like paradise.