News of alleged settlement amount stirs controversy

Aloha kakou,

I was contacted by many of you yesterday, concerned about the alleged amount of the settlement that Kamehameha Schools purportedly paid to the plaintiff and his attorneys in Doe v. Kamehameha last spring. I want to remind all of us that this revelation by attorney John Goemans is not necessarily true. And even if it is true, remember that this case was poised to be heard by an extremely conservative U.S. Supreme Court. So the trustees, in settling the case for whatever amount, were wise in delaying the consideration of this type of lawsuit by the high court. Revisionist Hawaiian history has been increasingly peddled in the national media. It is akamai to delay a decision in such a critical matter until a President (and his/her nominees to the Supreme Court) can be put into place who are knowledgeable about Hawaiian history and the vital role the Kamehameha Schools plays in the restoration of our people.

I know the alleged amount has created quite a stir of emotions, but I want to encourage all of us to pule for Ke Akua's perspective in all of this. As Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We will not likely feel good about everything that happens this side of heaven. But rest assured that no human court (or lawsuit settlement) has the final word as to our fate. I believe Ke Akua holds the Hawaiian people close to His heart, and that He is still watching over us.

Me ke aloha,
Noelani