Kamehameha Schools Leaving Native Hawaiians Behind?

With all the controversy surrounding the Kamehameha Schools, one Native Hawaiian has an interesting idea

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Oct/25/ln/FP510250357.html


(Kimo) Kelii said the school, founded by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop in the late 1800s, has "done a pathetic job in the education of all Native Hawaiian kids."

Kamehameha's trustees, he said, should consider shutting down the flagship Kapalama campus and instead funnel its vast resources into public schools where there are large numbers of Native Hawaiians such as Wai'anae, he said. Kelii also criticized OHA for not doing enough to help Native Hawaiian children get a better education.

If Ken Conklin said the same thing, he would be called an insensitive racist. But Kimo Kelii has made a lot of sense!

Too many Native Hawaiian activists waste energy demanding more special privilleges for those born Native Hawaiian, and not enough energy finding a solution to the problems of Native Hawaiians living in poverty on Oahu's Leeward coast.

Kamehameha Schools is filled with many rich & upper class students (some of them who don't even look Native Hawaiian). The trustees don't even bother to collaborate with the DOE on helping schools where many low-income Native Hawaiians attend (ie. Nanakuli, Waianae). The trustees don't even bother helping with teaching strategies, they don't bother giving their immense wealth ( $6 Billion worth of assetts) to fund repairs of those schools

Keeping one well-funded private school (Kamehameha) segregated isn't going to help low-income Native Hawaiians be prepped to succeed in the 21st Century globalized economy!

If I had a $6 billion endowment, I'd give assistance to Hawaii schools that are struggling. Some of those schools have a large Native Hawaiian population (ie. Nanakuli, Waianae). However, ALL students who attend those schools will get assistance!

That's right - even the Samoan, Marshallese, Laotian, Filipino, European, and yes, Native Hawaiians and everyone else, will get assistance! Let's not forget that even non-Hawaiians are also struggling too.

I wouldn't shut down Kamehameha. It can still be a great school that can both emphasize Native Hawaiian culture and prep its students for the 21st century globalized economy! I'll just integrate that school, and use it's resources to help ALL Hawaii residents, even those unlucky to have ancestors in Hawaii before Captain Cook's arrival.

To those who graduated or attending, Kamehameha Schools, please dont take it personal. I know some great people who attended that school. I just dont agree with it's racial admissions policy.