Posted on: Monday, November 1, 2004

School rallies to defend policy

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kamehameha Schools students, alumni and supporters yesterday marked the 121st anniversary of the signing of the will that created their schools by rallying the faithful against a court challenge this week against Kamehameha admissions policies favoring Hawaiian children.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this morning will review a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of government programs that benefit only Native Hawaiians. On Thursday, the same panel will review a lawsuit challenging Kamehameha's Hawaiian-preference admission policy.

Yesterday, students quoted from Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop's will, which designated preferences for Hawaiians. Alumnus Adrian Kamali'i, who helped organize the commemoration, urged those gathered to "stand to protect this place."

The hourlong gathering at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel at the school's Kapalama Heights campus was equal parts church service, political pep rally and homage to Bishop.

"We owe our fondest gratitude ... to her generosity, to her foresight," said Kamali'i, who graduated in 2000. " ... The accomplishments of many of us in the chapel are due to the stroke of a pen 121 years ago."

Yesterday's anniversary, Kamali'i said, occurred during a "pivotal place in history."

More than 100 people came out in the rain yesterday to remember the signing of the princess's will. Dozens placed lei beneath her portrait.

The will resulted in Kamehameha Schools educations for Mervina Cash-Ka'eo, class of 1979, and her daughter, Kylie Ka'eo, a 13-year-old Kamehameha Schools eighth-grader.

They came to yesterday's service, Kylie said, because "we want to give back to Pauahi and what she gave us. It's the least we can do. Maybe if we join in the prayer service justice will be served."

Although the service included prayer and song, the larger legal issues were never far away.

"Her will should be administered just the way she wanted," said Alberta Brown, a 1966 graduate.

On Thursday, school officials are organizing a prayer service from 7 to 8 a.m. at the University of Hawai'i's Stan Sheriff Center to coincide with the review by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8085.