Hawaiian School Admissions Questioned - Federal Court to Hear Case

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

Hawaiian school admissions questioned

By MARK NIESSE, Associated Press Writer

Tue Jun 20, 4:47 AM ET

A wealthy private school created exclusively for its indigenous people is asking a federal appeals court to allow it to continue its race-based admissions policy.

Fifteen judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals were scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday in San Francisco about whether the Kamehameha Schools can continue to limit enrollment to Native Hawaiians.

While the courts have generally ruled against favoritism in education based on race, the Kamehameha case is different. The school receives no federal money. And its policy was based on the will of a Hawaiian princess 10 years before the monarchy was overthrown.

"Her whole intent was to provide a means for educating her people so they could compete in a society that was changing so quickly," said Kekoa Paulsen, a spokesman for Kamehameha Schools.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit initially ruled 2-1 against Kamehameha's admissions policy last August. But the full court announced in February it would reconsider that decision. The admissions policy has remained in place while appeals are pending.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of an unnamed white student who was denied admission in 2003.

"We've had a lot of conflict, including the Civil War, about treating people differently based on their race. I think we're mostly past that, but unfortunately Kamehameha wants to go back to an era of privilege for citizens depending on what race you are," said Eric Grant, a Sacramento, Calif., attorney representing the boy, who recently graduated from a public school.

Kamehameha Schools was established under the 1883 will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop as part of a trust now worth $6.8 billion. Part of the school's mission is to counteract historical disadvantages Native Hawaiians face in employment, education and society.

Admission to the elite school is first granted to all qualified Native Hawaiian students. Only one in eight eligible applicants get in, and tuition is 60 percent subsidized by the private trust.

Of 5,400 students enrolled at the school's three K-12 campuses, only two do not have Hawaiian ancestry.

The case is an emotional one here, with Native Hawaiians claiming they are rightfully entitled to a quality education, and taking that away would further undermine their culture.

Following the initial ruling against Kamehameha last year, 15,000 people marched through downtown Honolulu in protest.

"We're not asking for a handout. We're asking to be able to take care of our own," said Miki Kim, a 1976 Kamehameha Schools graduate who organized a rally last fall supporting the school. "This country is not fair."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060620/ap_on_...HE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

Edited June 21, 2006 by Elizabethnhenry

[Artegal 1]

So they do allow non-hawaiians in their school?

Of 5,400 students enrolled at the school's three K-12 campuses, only two do not have Hawaiian ancestry.

[hockeygal 0]

So, if they allowed non-native students in, would those students have to pay the full tuition themselves? I imagine that being subsidized by the trust would not be in keeping with the details of the Princess’s will.

Maybe the solution would be to open the school up to everyone, but use the Princess's money as a scholarship for indigenous children. Same principle she was trying to set... to ensure a decent education. There is no real reason why the school shouldn't be mixed.

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

So they do allow non-hawaiians in their school?

Of 5,400 students enrolled at the school's three K-12 campuses, only two do not have Hawaiian ancestry.

Yes, that's my understanding. Once all qualified Native Hawaiians have received a spot, the one or two remaining seats can go to non natives. The issue is preference that is given to Native Islanders.

Edited June 21, 2006 by Elizabethnhenry

[Mirorgate 0]

So they do allow non-hawaiians in their school?

Of 5,400 students enrolled at the school's three K-12 campuses, only two do not have Hawaiian ancestry.

Yes, that's my understanding. Once all qualified Native Hawaiians have received a spot, the one or two remaining seats can go to non natives. The issue is preference that is given to Native Islanders.

private institution with no fed funding... they can set the standards as they wish.. though basing it on race/ethnicity i believe is against a few laws.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I have no problem with this. But, when I create my all white school I don't want to hear any lip.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If Affirmative Action is legal (which it is), then I don't see what the problem is with this. AA gives individuals of certain racial groups preferences due to their historically being at a disadvantage. Clearly, when you have a limited number of open spots, giving a preference to one person amounts to increasing the bar of entry for everyone else. The only real difference between AA and this is one of degree. This school also claims to practice this preference due to the historical disadvantage faced by those of Hawaiian ancestry. In that sense, it is exactly like AA. Now, most colleges practice AA but their student bodies represent a good mix of races, including white. This school is basically AA taken to an extreme. But if the justification behind AA is legally "ok", then I don't see how this can not be.

[onwa 6]

As someone who is part Hawaiian and living with this controversy. I think it is fine. Its not like there are no other good private schools to go to in Hawaii. I also believe native Hawaiians should have some autonomy like native americans on the mainland. BTW, you can go to Kamehameha schools even if you are like 1/32 part Hawaiian. There are plenty of 'white' people at that school.

[*Robert* 2]

As someone who is part Hawaiian and living with this controversy. I think it is fine. Its not like there are no other good private schools to go to in Hawaii. I also believe native Hawaiians should have some autonomy like native americans on the mainland. BTW, you can go to Kamehameha schools even if you are like 1/32 part Hawaiian. There are plenty of 'white' people at that school.

I agree. There are so many controversial issues facing this state right now, and I don't consider this one to be a big deal. The Tasaka Bill was more controversial than this, along with building new, more affordable, housing on Hawaiian lands. Then there's the whole Ala Wai canal problem!!!

Aloha

[*Robert* 2]

As someone who is part Hawaiian and living with this controversy. I think it is fine. Its not like there are no other good private schools to go to in Hawaii. I also believe native Hawaiians should have some autonomy like native americans on the mainland. BTW, you can go to Kamehameha schools even if you are like 1/32 part Hawaiian. There are plenty of 'white' people at that school.

I agree. There are so many controversial issues facing this state right now, and I don't consider this one to be a big deal. The Tasaka Bill was more controversial than this, along with building new, more affordable, housing on Hawaiian lands. Then there's the whole Ala Wai canal problem!!!

Aloha

That's the Akaka Bill, not the Tasaka Bill... All these Japanese names!!! Hard to tell the "Hawaiians" apart!!!

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

As someone who is part Hawaiian and living with this controversy. I think it is fine. Its not like there are no other good private schools to go to in Hawaii. I also believe native Hawaiians should have some autonomy like native americans on the mainland. BTW, you can go to Kamehameha schools even if you are like 1/32 part Hawaiian. There are plenty of 'white' people at that school.

I agree. There are so many controversial issues facing this state right now, and I don't consider this one to be a big deal. The Tasaka Bill was more controversial than this, along with building new, more affordable, housing on Hawaiian lands. Then there's the whole Ala Wai canal problem!!!

Aloha

That's the Akaka Bill, not the Tasaka Bill... All these Japanese names!!! Hard to tell the "Hawaiians" apart!!!

You're forgiven.

[*Robert* 2]

What's funny, is Hawaii has to be the worst when it comes to discrimination, predjudice, and racism. The education system here is a joke. The only way you can hope for a decent education is through a private school. The more wealthy retirees that come to this state, the worse it gets, because they just keep driving up the prices.

[Elizabethnhenry 0]

What's funny, is Hawaii has to be the worst when it comes to discrimination, predjudice, and racism. The education system here is a joke. The only way you can hope for a decent education is through a private school. The more wealthy retirees that come to this state, the worse it gets, because they just keep driving up the prices.

That's one of the reasons I posted the article, was to see how you all who live there felt. I think, by and large, we don't assocaite Hawaii iwth legislative issues and education and race crises....it's this spectacularly beautiful place we dream of visiting, you know. And even though it's totally naive, I think a lot of people see the Hawaiian Islands as, for want of a better comparison, like a pacific Jamaica - everything irie-don't worry be happy. Thanks Roi Aggie and Onwa for the knowledge building input.