The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees stands in unwavering solidarity with Kamehameha Schools and its enduring mission to uplift Native Hawaiians through education grounded in Hawaiian values, identity, and ʻāina-based stewardship.
The recent campaign launched by an organization based in Arlington, Virginia—with no connection or commitment to Hawaiʻi—is not only a direct affront to the will and legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, but also an attack on the right of Native Hawaiians to care for our own, on our own terms.
Kamehameha Schools is a private educational institution established through the will of Princess Pauahi, a high chiefess and direct descendant of Hawaiʻi’s first king, Kamehameha the Great. In her wisdom and foresight, she dedicated her vast estate to the education and betterment of her people. That legacy has provided generations of Hawaiian children with the opportunity to thrive—rooted in culture, grounded in community, and prepared to lead.
OHA, as a fellow Native Hawaiian-serving trust, shares a parallel kuleana: to steward the resources entrusted to us prudently, purposefully, and always in service to our beneficiaries. This kuleana includes defending our institutions, lands, and trusts from external efforts that seek to undermine their purpose, integrity, and rightful independence.
As a lāhui, we must remain vigilant. These attacks are not new—but they are escalating. They aim to dismantle the hard-won protections that enable our people to heal, rise, and chart our future. It is incumbent upon all who believe in justice, equity, and self-determination to defend Princess Pauahi’s legacy and condemn efforts to erase the progress Native Hawaiians have fought for over generations.
We call upon our community, allies, and all who stand for indigenous rights to reject this harmful narrative and to speak clearly and boldly:
Princess Pauahi’s will must be protected. Our trusts must be respected. Our futures must be self-determined.
