What is Kamehameha Schools?

Kamehameha Schools is a private educational institution in Hawaii founded in 1887 under the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a direct descendant of King Kamehameha I. At the time of her death in 1884, Princess Pauahi was one of the largest landowners in Hawaii. She directed that her estate be used to create and maintain schools for Native Hawaiian children.

Today, Kamehameha Schools operates three K-12 campuses (on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island) plus preschools and community education programs, serving approximately 6,900 students. It’s one of the wealthiest private schools in the United States, with an endowment valued at roughly $15 billion.

The school’s mission, rooted in Princess Pauahi’s will, is to improve the capability and well-being of people of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

What is the Admissions Preference?

Kamehameha Schools gives admissions preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. In practice, this means the schools prioritize Native Hawaiian applicants when making admissions decisions.

The preference is based on Princess Pauahi’s express wishes in her will. She stated that her estate should be used to educate children “of the Hawaiian race” — though the exact interpretation of this language has evolved over time. The school does not require applicants to prove a specific blood quantum; any documented Native Hawaiian ancestry qualifies.

Non-Hawaiian students can and have been admitted when space is available, but Native Hawaiian students receive priority.

Why is the Policy Being Challenged?

In October 2025, an organization called Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) filed a federal lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii.

Who is SFFA?
SFFA is a legal advocacy group founded by Edward Blum, a conservative legal strategist. The organization is best known for its successful lawsuits against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, which led to the U.S. Supreme Court ending race-conscious admissions in higher education in 2023 (Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard).

What is their argument?
SFFA argues that Kamehameha’s admissions preference violates 42 U.S.C. § 1981, a federal civil rights law that prohibits racial discrimination in private contracts. Since education can be considered a contractual relationship, SFFA contends that giving preference based on Native Hawaiian ancestry amounts to illegal racial discrimination.

What Happened Before? The 2006 Case

This is not the first time Kamehameha’s admissions policy has been challenged in court.

In the early 2000s, a non-Hawaiian student who was denied admission sued the school in Doe v. Kamehameha Schools. The case went to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in 2007 that the admissions preference was legal because:

1. It was tied to Princess Pauahi’s charitable intent to remedy educational disadvantages faced by Native Hawaiians
2. Native Hawaiian status could be understood as a political classification (indigenous people) rather than purely a racial one
3. The policy served remedial purposes consistent with the founder’s will

Before the case could reach the U.S. Supreme Court, it was settled, and the policy remained in place.

Why is This Case Back Now?

Two major things have changed since 2006:

1. The Supreme Court has shifted
The Court is now more conservative and has taken a much stricter stance on race-based policies. In 2023, the Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, embracing a “colorblind” interpretation of equality. SFFA believes this creates a favorable environment to challenge Kamehameha’s policy.

2. SFFA has momentum
After winning the Harvard and UNC cases, SFFA has turned its attention to other race-conscious programs. Kamehameha Schools, with its explicit preference for Native Hawaiian students, is a high-profile target.

What’s at Stake?

For Kamehameha Schools:
If the court rules against the school, it could be forced to eliminate the Native Hawaiian preference or drastically change its admissions process. This would fundamentally alter the institution’s mission and identity.

For Hawaii’s Native Hawaiian Programs:
A ruling against Kamehameha could create legal precedent threatening other Native Hawaiian initiatives, including:

• Hawaiian homelands programs (residential preferences)
• Scholarships and grants for Native Hawaiian students
• Healthcare programs (like Papa Ola Lokahi)
• Cultural preservation and language programs

Many of these programs are built on the legal foundation that Native Hawaiian status is a political classification tied to indigenous rights, not just race. If that foundation is undermined, the entire framework could be at risk.

For Federal Indian Law:
The case also has implications for how courts treat indigenous peoples and tribal sovereignty. If Native Hawaiian ancestry is treated purely as a racial category rather than a political one, it could weaken protections for Native Hawaiians and potentially affect other indigenous groups.

What Happens Next?

The case is in its early stages. Over the coming months and years, both sides will file legal briefs, the court will hold hearings, and eventually a decision will be made—first at the district court level, then potentially on appeal.

This site will track the case as it unfolds, explain the legal arguments, and provide context to help you understand what’s happening and why it matters.