Kamehameha Schools alumni here, on the Mainland and even in Iraq will gather tomorrow for a "pule," or prayer, to help their alma mater's defense against a legal challenge to its Hawaiians-first admissions policy.

"We're gathering to ask for help," said William Fernandez, president of the Native Hawaiian Legal Defense and Education Fund, in a release. "For us to defend Princess Pauahi's legacy and save the mission of Kamehameha Schools, we need to come together with God's blessing and the help of our non-Hawaiian allies."

The Native Hawaiian Legal Defense & Education Fund chose tomorrow because it marks the 121st anniversary of the death of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling calling Kamehameha's admissions policy a form of discrimination against non-Hawaiians and a violation of civil rights.

The school's board of trustees is appealing the ruling.

The school and its supporters say Kamehameha is a private entity and has a right to follow the wishes of its founder to help Hawaiians.

Locally, alumni and supporters will gather at 6 p.m. at Mauna 'Ala, the Royal Mausoleum, in Nu'uanu.

Gatherings are also being held in Hilo; San Francisco; Long Beach, Calif.; Centerville, S.D.; Chicago; Minneapolis; and Charlevois, Mich. Armed forces personnel stationed in Balad, Iraq, also will participate.

For more information on the Hawai'i gatherings, call Nalani Kahoano Gersaba at 429-3816. Or for information on the other gatherings, call Noelani Jai at (714) 847-2977.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.