Who was Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop?

Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop, born in Honolulu on December 19, 1831, was the great-granddaughter of Kamehameha I and the last royal descendant of his line. She married Charles Reed Bishop in 1850. Independent of her marriage, Pauahi later inherited and was entrusted with extensive lands from her ali‘i lineage and peers, becoming the Hawaiian Kingdom’s largest private landholder with nearly nine percent of Hawai‘i’s acreage. Through her will, reflecting the trust other ali‘i placed in her, more than 375,000 acres were dedicated to establish Kamehameha Schools upon her passing on October 16, 1884. The first school opened in 1887, and her legacy continues to educate thousands of Native Hawaiian children.

Why did Ke Ali‘i Pauahi include preference for Native Hawaiian descent in her will?

Witnessing the decline of the Hawaiian population, language, and culture, Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop believed education was essential to her people’s future. She established Kamehameha Schools and placed her estate in trust to educate Hawaiians of pure or part aboriginal blood. Though she had no children, she fulfilled her kuleana as a chiefess by dedicating her private resources to uplift her people with opportunity, cultural pride, and hope.

What is Kamehameha Schools’ mission and vision?

Our mission: To fulfill Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s vision of empowering Native Hawaiians by improving the well-being of our people through education.Our vision: Grounded in Native Hawaiian and Christian values, our haumāna will succeed in postsecondary education and contribute, through ‘ōiwi leadership, to a thriving and self-determined lāhui.These are articulated in our newest Strategic Plan 2030, which you can learn more about here.

How does Kamehameha Schools live out its Hawaiian cultural values today?

Fulfilling the vision of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi, Kamehameha Schools strengthened its focus on world-class, Hawaiian culture-based education by empowering our schools to chart its own path to student success. In response to growing needs for student well-being, cultural relevance and ‘ōiwi-centered excellence, kumu and leadership teams implemented strategies to elevate academic rigor, support systems and innovation. Together, these efforts cultivate haumāna who lead with identity, excel beyond high school and advance ea for their communities and the lāhui.

What is the foundation of Kamehameha Schools’ educational focus?

Ea, ‘ike kūpuna, and aloha ‘āina are foundational to learning at Kamehameha Schools. Guided by E Ola!, our approach centers on Hawaiian culture-based education that inspires haumāna to think creatively, solve real-world challenges, and lead with confidence. Through engaging and robust learning environments, haumāna deepen their sense of identity, strengthen cultural connections, and are equipped to carry forward their kuleana as ‘ōiwi leaders who contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Why can Kamehameha Schools legally give preference to Native Hawaiian students?

Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust, funded entirely by Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s estate, established to serve Native Hawaiian children. This preference fulfills her will and aligns with the federally recognized political status of Native Hawaiians.

Kamehameha Schools

Q: What is Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy?

Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.

E Ulu Koa community gatherings

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Hawai‘i

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, Nov. 12	5 to 7 p.m.	Māna Christian ‘Ohana 67-1182 Lindsey Road, Kamuela, HI 96743
Thursday, Nov. 13	4 to 6 p.m.	Hā‘aeamahi Dining Hall, Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i 16-716 Volcano Rd., Kea‘au, HI 96749
Friday, Dec. 5	5 to 7 p.m.	Kēōkea Beach Park 52-128 Kēōkea Park Road, Kapa‘au, HI 96755
Thursday, Dec. 11	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Pāhala Community Center 96-1149 Kamani St. Pahala, HI 96777
Friday, Dec. 12	5 to 7 p.m.	Kahalu‘u Ma Kai 78-6780 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Join us on Hawai‘i

Maui

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Monday, Dec. 1	5 to 7 p.m.	Ke‘eaumokupāpa‘iaheahe Dining Hall, Kamehameha Schools Maui 275 ‘A‘apueo Parkway, Pukalani, HI 96768
Thursday, Dec. 4	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Hāna High and Elementary School 4111 Hāna Highway, Hāna, HI 96713
Monday, Dec. 8	5 to 7 p.m.	Lahainaluna High School Dining Room 980 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, HI 96761
Tuesday, Dec. 9	5 to 7 p.m.	Pilina Events Center, UH Maui College 310 West Ka‘ahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732
Join us on Maui

Moloka‘i

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Tuesday, Dec. 2	4:30 to 7 p.m.	Kūlana ‘Ōiwi Hālau 612 Maunaloa Highway, Building B, Kalama‘ula, HI 96748
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Lāna‘i

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, Dec. 10	5 to 7 p.m.	Lāna‘i High and Elementary School Cafeteria 555 Fraser Avenue, Lāna‘i City, HI 96763
Join us on Lāna‘i

O‘ahu

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, Nov. 19	6 to 8 p.m.	Polynesian Cultural Center IMAX Theater 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Lā‘ie, HI 96762
Thursday, Nov. 20	5:30 to 8 p.m.	Kapolei Heritage Center 91-1270 Kinoiki Street, Building #2, Kapolei, HI 96707
Tuesday, Dec. 2	6 to 8 p.m.	Kalanihookaha Community Learning Center 89-102 Farrington Highway, Wai‘anae, HI 96792
Wednesday, Dec. 3	6 to 8 p.m.	Community Learning Center at Mā‘ili 87-790 Kulauku Street, Wai‘anae, HI 96792
Thursday, Dec. 11	6 to 8 p.m.	Hale ‘Ākoakoa, Windward Community College 45-720 Kea‘ahala Road, Kāne‘ohe, HI 96744
Monday, Dec. 15	6 to 8 p.m.	Ka‘iwakīloumoku Pacific Indigenous Institute at KS Kapālama 1887 Makuakāne Street, Honolulu, HI 96817
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Kaua‘i

DATE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, Nov. 19	5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Island School 3-1875 Kaumuali‘i Highway, Līhu‘e, HI 96766
Wednesday, Dec. 3	4:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Waimea Theater 9691 Kaumuali‘i Highway, Waimea, HI 96796
Join us on Kaua‘i