Family Suing Kamehameha Schools Seeks Anonymity Amid Threats

Plaintiffs fear public identification could impact their careers due to online harassment.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A white family suing Kamehameha Schools, a private school system in Hawaii that prioritizes Native Hawaiian enrollment, is seeking to remain anonymous throughout the legal proceedings. The family has received online death threats and is concerned that being publicly named could negatively impact their careers.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate over affirmative action policies, particularly in the context of private institutions. The Kamehameha Schools' admissions policy, which aims to preserve Native Hawaiian culture and education, has faced legal challenges from those who view it as discriminatory.

The details

The family, whose identities have not been disclosed, filed a motion to proceed anonymously, citing the threats they have received and the potential professional consequences of being publicly named as plaintiffs in the case against Kamehameha Schools. The school's admissions policy, which gives preference to applicants of Native Hawaiian descent, has been the subject of legal battles for decades.

  • The family filed the lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools in February 2026.

The players

Kamehameha Schools

A private school system in Hawaii that prioritizes Native Hawaiian enrollment in its admissions policy.

The Family

A white family suing Kamehameha Schools over its Native Hawaiian admissions policy.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding affirmative action policies, particularly in the context of private institutions. The threats received by the plaintiffs underscore the sensitive and divisive nature of this issue, which continues to be a subject of legal and public debate.