Ho‘oilina: Empowering Our Traditions of Exploration
In 1883, with the stroke of a pen, Princess Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop set into motion a chain of events that would serve to sustain her people during times of great challenge and change. That visionary act of more than a century ago empowers Native Hawaiians today to rise and take the reins of leadership in Hawaiʻi, their ancestral home.
Pauahi believed that the noble traits of character exemplified by her great-grandfather, revered warrior-king Kamehameha ‘Ekahi, would inspire future generations. Aloha, compassion, empowers us to constantly improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being of our families and communities. Kūpaʻa, resolve, empowers us to proudly assert our identity through our rich heritage and native tongue. ‘Imi naʻauao, knowledge exploration, empowers us to relentlessly search for possibilities, solutions, and innovations to advance the condition of the lāhui, the social body of Hawai‘i’s native people. In so doing, we honor the traditions of our ancestors and maintain their hoʻoilina for generations to come.
With Hawaiian education as a catalyst, Kamehameha Schools now embarks on an epic voyage of social change and environmental restoration for Hawaiʻi nei, the Pacific community, and the greater world in which we serve as both leader and citizen. With a healthy, well-educated Hawaiian population that is strong politically and economically, the sails are set for an unprecedented journey of exploration that will help to solve global issues, promote peace and unity, and allow Native Hawaiians to shine as an exemplar of ancestral wisdom leading the world forward – full sail. I mua Kamehameha!
Ho‘oilina Statement
[Downloadable pdf of full statement]
