Kamehameha Schools

There are now more Native Hawaiians living in the continental United States than in the islands, according to the latest numbers from the 2020 U.S. Census. Of the more than 680,000 Native Hawaiians in the U.S., 55% of the population is currently living outside Hawaiʻi.

The trustee selection process for Kamehameha Schools is under review by the state probate court. In May, the current KS Board of Trustees petitioned the court to perform a fresh review of the process, which has been in place for the last 22 years.

The project called Waiānuenue translates to “rainbow” in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and represents the linkage between Mānoa Valley — valley of the rainbows — and the wai, or waters, of Waikīkī.

Applications for Kamehameha School’s Mahiʻai Match-up have opened. The program is focused on strengthening Hawaiʻi's food system by providing local agriculture and food entrepreneurs with resources to begin, expand and nourish their businesses.

Kamehameha Schools and Arizona State University will open a campus on Hawaiʻi Island. It’s a partnership between Kamehameha’s community initiative program called Kaiāulu and ASU Local — its rural outreach program.

At the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama commencement ceremony later this month, 106 graduating seniors will have already earned two-year associate degrees from Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

Kamehameha Schools chose paniolo culture as the theme for its 103rd annual song contest in March. The Conversation talked to the winning class song director about celebrating Hawaiʻi's paniolo heritage and visiting Waimea.

The state probate court is in the final stages of selecting a new trustee to oversee the $15.1 billion Kamehameha Schools trust established by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The most recent addition to the trustee board shares her insights on how KS has evolved over the past 140 years. HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Krystal Ka’ai, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, is the first Native Hawaiian to ever lead the program. HPR sat down with her to talk about anti-Asian hate, the lack of racial break-up in data collection, and more.

Hilarie Alomar has worked at Kamehameha Schools for nearly 20 years. Alomar joins two other planning and development directors, who are responsible for different areas in the state.