Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 12, 1 December 1997 — KE ALIʻI PAUAHI'S WILL [ARTICLE]

KE ALIʻI PAUAHI'S WILL

Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association consists of more than 4,000 members in 13 alumni regions from Kaua'i to Washington, D.C. At the October meeting of the regional presidents, the present attacks against the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate were discussed. The presidents are disturbed by these attacks on the will of Ke Ali'i Bemice Pauahi Bishop. On Oct. 31, 1883, Ke Ali'i Pauahi signed her will, the single most

important Hawaiian document, providing for the education of Hawaiian children in perpetuity. To destroy this will or any of its provisions is to destroy the opportunity for future Hawaiian children to secure a quality education and to compete in this world. The presidents unanimously resolved to reaffirm our organization's purpose to give absolute protection to the will and legacy of Ke Ali'i Pauahi. We urge Hawiians to resist any attempts to erode or change her testamentary intentions. A key provision was the selection of tmstees vested in the Hawai'i Supreme Court, the only institution in the State above politics. There is no other body of selectors better able to do the job, and they should continue to select the tmstees as long as the tmst remains in existence. William J. Fernandez Judge of the Superior Court (ret) Menlo Park, CA