Posted on: Thursday, July 17, 2003

Kamehameha says policies legal, proper

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kamehameha Schools' admissions preference to children of Hawaiian ancestry does not violate civil rights law and fulfills the school's mission to create educational opportunities to improve the well-being of Hawaiians, according to a court document filed yesterday.

The document was filed by Kamehameha Schools in response to a June 25 federal lawsuit that alleged the school violated federal laws that prohibit private schools from denying admission on the basis of race. The lawsuit, which was filed by attorneys John Goemans and Eric Grant on behalf of an unnamed non-Hawaiian student, alleged that Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy is racially discriminatory.

But the school argued that the preference is not directed against any racial group. In fact, attorney David Schulmeister wrote on behalf of the school, Kamehameha Schools submitted a list of 63 racial and ethnic categories and said an "overwhelming majority of students of Hawaiian ancestry" classified themselves as belonging to one or more group.

Schulmeister said children of Hawaiian ancestry have faced "educational at-risk factors disproportionately compared to non-Hawaiian children." Through its educational programs, he said, Kamehameha Schools "seeks to address these needs."

Congress has recognized the mission of the Kamehameha Schools, Schulmeister said, and has acknowledged the school's "important role in serving the Hawaiian community."

Constance Lau, Kamehameha Schools board chairwoman, said the school would "vigorously defend the policy and we are confident that we will prevail."