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Federal Appeals Courts Rules Against Kamehameha Schools

HONOLULU (AP) -

A federal appeals court has struck down Kamehameha Schools' Hawaiians-only admissions policy, saying it's unlawful race discrimination.

The Ninth U-S Circuit of Appeals says the unnamed student's case established the invalidity of the school's racially exclusionary admissions policy.

The court ruled that the admissions policy violates a federal law against racial discrimination in the making and enforcing of contracts.

The boy's attorney, Eric Grant of California, says he expects the teenager to start his senior year at Kamehameha in the fall.

Grant says the boy's identity will likely be revealed next week.

Kamehameha Schools says it's preparing a response to the appeals court's opinion.

The appeals court says Kamehameha's current policy operates as -- quote -- "an absolute bar to admission for those of the non-preferred race."

The appeals court reversed U-S District Judge Alan Kay's November 2003 decision that said that Kamehameha Schools could continue its Hawaiians-only admissions policy because of its unique and historical circumstances.

Another attorney for the unnamed boy called it a terrific decision and said he expects Kamehameha Schools to appeal to the U-S Supreme Court.

But Big Island attorney John Goemans says he expects the high court to refuse to hear the case.