HONOLULU (AP) — After a fulfilling day of water polo practice, 14-year-old Kapua Ong gazed at the spectacular sunset over Honolulu Harbor, feeling grateful for the opportunities presented by her school, Kamehameha Schools.
I feel proud for being accepted because not everyone gets in, Kapua stated, highlighting the school's focus on Native Hawaiian ancestry which her parents had emphasized through their genealogy contributions. As she articulated her multifaceted interests in kung fu and fluency in the Hawaiian language, her passion for the school's environment shone through.
However, a significant challenge looms as Kamehameha's admissions policy faces scrutiny amidst a broader movement aimed at redefining racial discrimination in educational settings. The policy is under potential legal threat from the group Students for Fair Admissions, spearheaded by Edward Blum, a well-known adversary of affirmative action.
They argue that the admissions process is too restrictive for non-Native Hawaiian students, claiming it violates federal civil rights laws, especially after recent Supreme Court rulings limiting the reach of affirmative action in higher education.
Notably, the legal challenge stems from a desire to broaden the definitions of fairness in admissions, where critics are increasingly vocal against Kamehameha's preference for Indigenous students — a contentious issue labeled by some, including Hawaiian state senator Brenton Awa, as racially motivated.
Alumni and local leaders are rallying behind Kamehameha's well-established mission, acknowledging its vital role in uplifting Native Hawaiian students amid socio-economic challenges. The school's substantial endowment, exceeding $15 billion, has fueled calls for strong legal defense of the policy.
Kamehameha Schools was founded under the will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, aiming to cater predominantly to Native Hawaiian children, a vision that gained renewed urgency amidst societal shifts and historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities. Each year, about 5,400 students enroll across three campuses in Hawaii, with entrance competitions reflecting high demand.
As tensions rise around the future of the admissions policy, students, activists, and cultural advocates contemplate the implications of such legal battles on Hawaiian identities and the essence of cultural preservation through education.
