Timelines
1980s
1980
Kamehameha Schools Extension Education Ocean Marine program supports the voyage of the Hōkūleʻa to Tahiti. GORDON PI‘IANAI‘A, KSB 1958, is a crew member.
1981
The Kapālama Master Plan recommends:
- campus reorganization
- a new dining hall
- a new performing arts complex
- an industrial education building
- an early education research complex.
KEEP, the Kamehameha Elementary Education Program, is used by six DOE public schools reaching 1700 students. It is renamed the Kamehameha Educational Research Institute (KERI). KERI includes preschool programs.
A 50 Year Club for Kamehameha Schools employees honors:
GEOFFREY PODMORE (1914), FRANK E. MIDKIFF (1923), DONALD D. KILOLANI MITCHELL (1930), and ALLEN BAILEY (1931).
JOHN DOMINIS HOLT and FRANCES “PATCHES” DAMON HOLT donate an 1824 portrait of LILIHA and BOKI painted in London by artist, John Hayter. A significant donation, this is the only known likeness of ali’i in their homeland regalia. Copies are found in many major art museums often reversed with Liliha to the right.
Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association is reorganized into Chapters.
The 150th anniversary of the birth of BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP is celebrated with ceremony, song, and a trustee-approved increase of $150,000 to a scholarship fund.
December 19, 1981
The original Founderʻs Day Pledge (left) by Uldrich Thompson, Teacher and Principal of the Kamehameha School for Boys, was rewritten by the students of the class of 1982 into the Statement of Appreciation (right) recited today.
1982
Makani Hou O Keauhou–“The other event which ended our regular school year on a timely note was the dedication of the 58-foot koa canoe, which took place over the Kamehameha Day weekend at Helumoa Beach. The canoe, beautifully designed and built by WRIGHT BOWMAN, JR. KSB 1962, is a symbol of Hawaiian skills, talents and creativeness.” Extension Education Program, Hawaiian Studies Institute, Annual Report, 1981-1982. It now rests in Midkiff Learning Center. FRED CACHOLA, Director, helped obtain the koa log from Keauhou, Hawai’i.
Kamehameha Schools agrees to operate four DOE pre-schools scheduled for closure in Anahola, Kaua’i, Waihe’e, Maui, Nānāikapono, O’ahu and Nānākuli, O’ahu
The Native Hawaiian Educational Assessment Project (NHEAP) study is completed. It was instituted by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and conducted by KSBE which paid for all costs. The most thorough report outlines the educational needs of Hawaiian children, it provides a baseline measurement for future projects.
1983
Kamehameha Schools opens the Center for Development of Early Education (CDEE), an early education research center.
CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON is appointed a Trustee.
TRUSTEE FRANK E. MIDKIFF dies. He is the longest serving Trustee with 44 years of service.
1984
August 4, 1984
When BEATRICE PARRENT dies, the estate of Beatrice and husband Charles bequeaths $1 million to Kamehameha Schools. The unexpected gift is the largest from a single donor. CHARLES PARRENT was a teacher and administrator from 1926 to 1946.
October 1, 1984
Ulupono Preschool, a Kamehameha Schools preschool for 20 students, opens near the Main Gate to the main Kapālama campus.
1985
TRUSTEE MYRON THOMPSON and support staff apply for and receive $15 million in federal funds for native Hawaiian educational programs in school counseling, library services and vocational education.
February 13, 1985
The renovated auditorium is dedicated as the Ruth Ke’elikolani Performing Arts Center
April 12, 1985
Keauhou Shopping Village opens. It is a project of Kamehameha Investment Corporation, a wholly -owned for-profit subsidiary of Bishop Holdings Corporation. Photo credit: kona123.com
June 1985
Trustee MATSUO TAKABUKI leads Bishop Estate to invest in limited partnerships outside Hawai’i that will significantly increase the endowment of the Kamehameha Schools.
A school service program becomes a part of the curriculum for all sophomores and juniors. Students work one period per quarter in School offices, class, or dining hall on a pass/fail basis.
‘Akahi Dining Hall complex is dedicated. Three stories, it includes the 850 seat dining hall, a faculty lunch room, kitchen facilities, loading dock, school store and student activities center.
October 1985
The Bishop Estate’s first legal department is headed by NATHAN AIPA.
December 1985
ANDREW VLIET KSK 1982, becomes a Rhodes Scholar and studies at Oxford University in the Fall.
1986
The admissions policy provokes controversy. Elementary school students are admitted at random, but must take an examination to continue to the 7th grade competing with many other applicants. Some Kamehameha Schools 6th graders are denied admission to 7th grade sparking heated discussion.
Kamehameha Schools Celebrates the centennial of the opening of the Boy’s School
January 1986-December 1987
1988
MICHAEL CHUN Ph.D., KSB 1961, is President of Kamehameha Schools. He is the first alumnus to be President and the last President of the Schools. In 2000, the Kamehameha Schools becomes a non-profit corporation managed by a CEO. Dr. Chun becomes Headmaster of the Kapālama campus with the title “President and Headmaster of Kamehameha Schools.” HAMILTON MCCUBBIN, KSB 1959, becomes CEO. Dr Chun’s wife is BINA MOSSMAN Chun, KSG 1963. Their daughter is KAILI, KSK 1980.
- OSIRIS computer report card system is used in the high school.
- An Early Admission program is used to admit applicants with a composite score of 23 or higher.
- The student population is 3230 with 430 boarders primarily from the Neighbor Islands.
- The Center of Development of Early Education shifts its emphasis from research to direct service.
- Community outreach and relationships is a hallmark of Dr. Chun’s work.
April 3, 1988
The new Bishop Memorial Chapel is dedicated at Kapālama.
1989
February 15, 1989
Midkiff Learning Center, with Head Librarian Gail Fujimoto, goes online with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
February 20, 1989
ABC program “ Good Morning America” films the classrooms of LAURA DUFFY, RANDIE FONG, KSK 1978, CHARLENE HOE, MARK MIDDLETON and SARAH QUICK.
March 15, 1989
Ten legislative bills focus on leasehold to fee and related issues are stopped in committee.
March 26, 1989
DR. DONALD DEAN KILOLANI MITCHELL, KS teacher, author, historian for nearly 60 years, dies.
Fred Cachola, KSB 1953, Extension Education Director calls him a “true kupuna.”
April 14, 1989
PEP Associate Director CHRIS MELAHN is KS Adult Education “Teacher of the Year.”
Basketball coach JIM WINCHESTER is “Coach of the Year.”
In May, ROY BASS is “Economics Teacher of the Year.”
April 28, 1989
“Three Viewpoints on Hawaiian Sovereignty” is moderated by CAROLYN ABAD, KSK 1982, during Ho’olaule’a. Speakers are Louis Ha’o, MILILANI TRASK, KSK, 1969, and LILIKALĀ KAME’ELEIHIWA, KSK 1970.
August 1, 1989
The Education Group is reorganized.
September 15, 1989
KSBE administers a U. S. Department of Education grant for $1,482,000 during the school year called the Native Hawaiian Higher Education Demonstration Program (NHHEDP).
October 13, 1989
Barcoded ID cards used at ‘Akahi are part of a federal food subsidy program requiring students to eat from 3 out of the 5 basic food groups.
November 8, 1989
Former art teacher, LOUIS POHL, exhibits his work at Midkiff Learning Center.
November 11, 1989
Ho‘olaule‘a is held on the KES campus.
December 15, 1988
OSWALD STENDER, KSB 1950, is appointed Trustee.
The former Campbell Estate CEO, disagrees with Bishop Estate Trustee business practices to no avail.
