Kamehameha Schools has announced that it will eliminate tuition for preschool and K-12 students starting in the 2026-27 school year. This decision aligns with the vision of the institution’s founder, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Pending approval from the state Probate Court, the full cost of education will be funded by Pauahi’s endowment, marking a significant shift from the current model where families pay a portion of tuition that covers only part of actual educational costs.
In a letter to families, staff, and community partners, school leaders emphasized that the concept of tuition implies a transactional relationship, which does not reflect the core mission of Kamehameha Schools. “Responsibility at Kamehameha has never flowed from payment,” the letter stated. “It flows from aloha, ancestral connection, and preparation.” The institution aims to reframe its educational offering as a gift rather than a service for payment.
The announcement arrives in the context of a federal lawsuit challenging Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, which prioritizes applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The group Students for Fair Admissions has filed the suit, claiming that the policy discriminates against non-Native Hawaiian students and violates federal civil rights law. Kamehameha Schools has pledged to defend its admissions practices based on Pauahi’s will and its mission to empower Native Hawaiian communities through education.
Tuition Rates Prior to Change
For the 2025-26 school year, tuition fees ranged significantly, from approximately $2,800 to over $4,000 for preschool, about $5,676 for grades K-5, nearly $7,000 for grades 6 to 12, and exceeding $12,000 for boarding students. Kamehameha Schools’ leadership clarified that this tuition-free initiative is not a direct response to the ongoing lawsuit but may enhance perceptions of their educational offerings as a gift.
“This is not a change in Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s generosity,” the letter continued. “This is a clarification of this special relationship.” The institution’s mission, as articulated in Pauahi’s final will, aims to restore and strengthen the Hawaiian people through education. Leaders described her role not as a benefactor providing services but as an alii—an esteemed leader—fulfilling her responsibility to ensure the well-being of her people.
Expanding Educational Opportunities
Kamehameha Schools, which operates campuses on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii island, has been evolving its educational approach. Over recent decades, the school has expanded beyond traditional classroom settings to emphasize Hawaiian culture-based education, land stewardship, and community partnerships. This initiative is guided by the school’s E Ola! framework and Strategic Plan 2030, which aims to create an “ecosystem of learning” that prepares students to engage with their families, communities, and the wider world.
Under the new policy, all tuition collected during the 2025-26 school year will be redirected to the Kaiaulu Fund, which supports scholarships and community grants. School leaders stressed that families will not be obligated to contribute financially for a tuition-free education. Instead, they are encouraged to share Pauahi’s gift in meaningful ways, such as volunteering or participating in community service.
The announcement also reassured community partners that the change in tuition policy will not diminish Kamehameha Schools’ broader investments. The institution plans to maintain its approximately $67 million annual spending on community grants and scholarships. Additionally, for the 2025-26 fiscal year, Kamehameha Schools intends to allocate about $6 million in emergency bridge funding to support education partners and learners affected by funding disruptions.
Kamehameha Schools is committed to reimagining its grant and scholarship programs to better reflect regional needs and community priorities. The transition to a tuition-free model is seen as a reaffirmation of Pauahi’s legacy and the school’s ongoing role in strengthening the Native Hawaiian community through education.
