Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus is located on the mountain of Kapālama in Kalihi, Hawaiʻi on the island of Oʻahu. Our school was founded in 1887 by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, but what many people donʻt know is that this school started off as an all-boys school. Today, Bishop Museum stands where Kamehameha was first founded. Kamehameha Schools for girls wasnʻt founded until 1894, and that began where the school sits now. As a student of Kamehameha Schools, we are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to attend this school. Not only do we receive amazing education, but we are granted the opportunity to learn our language, participate in cultural practices, and we are prepared for life after we graduate. I owe great gratitude to God and Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
Recently, my class and I took a small field trip around the high school campus of Kamehameha Kapālama. I learned so much new information about the campus and how things were back in the 1900ʻs. What stuck out to me the most was that there was a strict separation of boys and girls. Late, after the girls school had already been established, the boys were moved to Kapālama campus as well. The road going up to Kōnia (passing the Performing Arts building) was the line that separated boys and girls. I thought that was interesting because school must have been so different compared to how it is today. I've never been to an all girls school, so that must have been a big change for everyone when Kamehameha Schools began coeducation.
Recently, my class and I took a small field trip around the high school campus of Kamehameha Kapālama. I learned so much new information about the campus and how things were back in the 1900ʻs. What stuck out to me the most was that there was a strict separation of boys and girls. Late, after the girls school had already been established, the boys were moved to Kapālama campus as well. The road going up to Kōnia (passing the Performing Arts building) was the line that separated boys and girls. I thought that was interesting because school must have been so different compared to how it is today. I've never been to an all girls school, so that must have been a big change for everyone when Kamehameha Schools began coeducation.
Kaʻahumanu
The gym located on the upper high school campus is named. "Kaʻahumanu." Kaʻahumanu was Kamehameha Iʻs favorite wife. She was born on March 17th, 1768 in Hana on the island of Maui and she died on June 5th, 1832 in Mānoa on the island of Oʻahu. Kaʻahumanu was the daughter of Keeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi. This gym was named after her because she was very active and enjoyed sports. |
Konia
One of the main buildings on the upper high school campus is named "Konia." This building contains majority of the classrooms for the juniors and seniors such as math, science, English, and languages. This building was also where Kamehameha Schools for Girls began. Laura Kanaholo Konia was the mother of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. She was born in the year 1808 and died on July 2nd, 1857 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. |
HaleakalāHaleakalā is located on the upper high school campus and holds the art, speech, and English classes. Haleakalā used to be the cafeteria for the girls school. Haleakalā is also the name of the volcano located on the island of Maui the name of Pauahiʻs home, which was built by Abner Pakī, Pauahiʻs father. |
Keʻelikōlani
"Keʻelikōlani" is the name of the auditorium/performing arts building. This building contains, theatre, Hawaiian ensemble, band, orchestra, etc. This building was named after Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani. She was very passionate about the Hawaiian culture and only spoke the native language. She didn't have any children so all her land was given to Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Princess Ruth was born on February 9th, 1826 and died May 24th, 1883.
|
Lunalilo
"Lunalilo" is the name of the boys dorms. These dorms are small and plain. When Kamehameha Schools was being built, they started from the top of the campus and that is why these dorms are smaller. William Charles Lunalilo was the sixth monarch of Hawaiʻi. Lunalilo was the grandchild of Kamehameha. He was born on January 31st, 1835 and died on February 3rd, 1874. |
Pākī
This building is located on the lower part of the high school campus and holds many of the classrooms for the freshmen and sophomores. This building was named after Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishopʻs father, Abner Kuhoʻoheiheipahu Pākī. He was a Hawaiian high chief when Kamehameha III was king. Pākī was born on the island of Molokai in 1808 and died on June 13th, 1855 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. |