Seven Hawaii governors support Kamehameha Schools admissions policy

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaiʻi’s governors are supporting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy in a letter to the editor after the school was sued for discrimination by Students for Fair Admissions.

All seven living Hawaiʻi governors, from current Gov. Josh Green to George Ariyoshi, 99, said some wrongly seek to undermine Princess Bernice Pauahi’s vision by forcing Kamehameha Schools to disregard her 1883 directive giving preference to Native Hawaiians.

“Her Trustees’ efforts to honor that directive are under attack,” the governors wrote.

“She gave her legacy to ensure the perpetuation of a people,” said former Gov. John Waiheʻe.

“This is the only place that I know of on the entire planet where the leadership of a nation gave all of their wealth to perpetuate the people of that nation,” he said.

Waihe’e told Hawaii News Now the idea for the letter came from former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.

“She calls. We get started, but it was like throwing a match on a flame, some kindling that was ready to burn anyway,” said Waihe’e.

Three finalists named for trustee position

Meanwhile, the three finalists for Kamehameha trustee are now public. They are Olin Lagon, Shifted Energy co-founder; Keith Vieira, former Starwood Hawaii executive; and Eric Yeaman, Hoku Capital managing partner.

Julian Keikilani Ako, the immediate past president of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association - Oahu Region, has been pushing for more public involvement for decades.

“It’s still not a very transparent process in my view and it certainly is not one that is driven and managed by the stakeholders,” said Ako.

“I think there are pluses and minuses, but I think for the most part we’ve gotten really good and solid trustees,” said Waihe’e.

There were 83 applicants who were screened by seven volunteer members of a screening committee appointed by the probate court.

The court makes the final decision.

The public can submit comments by 4 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Email executives@inkinen.com or mail to: Trustee Screening Committee, c/o Inkinen Executive Search, 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 1477, Honolulu, HI 96813.

https://www.ksbe.edu/assets/site/special_section/ola-pauahi/Governors_Letter.pdf