An appeals court ruling that sent a shock wave through one of Hawai'i's oldest and most influential institutions has also galvanized an often-fractured Native Hawaiian community.

Across the islands, Hawaiians, many of whom disagree on sovereignty and other hot-button issues, poured out their frustration and prepared to come together this weekend in support of Kamehameha Schools.

Kumu hula Manu Boyd, a Kamehameha alumnus, likened the situation to a family crisis that brings together siblings who may not have spoken in years.

"It's family loyalty, coming together now, standing up for our ancestors," said Boyd.

Tuesday's decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down as "unlawful race discrimination" Kamehameha Schools' century-old admissions policy giving preference to Hawaiians.

Yesterday, angry listeners jammed the telephone lines of Hawaiian radio stations during morning drive time to express their outrage.

The flood of calls was only one sign. In Hilo, more than 100 alumni and others rallied in support of the school to the sound of blaring horns from passing traffic. Everywhere, plans were being made for rallies and marches, including one at 'Iolani Palace on Saturday that is expected to draw thousands.
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"We have so many people out there who would like to see Hawaiians pretty much lose it all," said Boyd, who also serves as public information officer for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawaiians are beginning to become aware of this, he said. "I think people are really going to rise up."
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Native Hawaiian activist Keali'i Gora said this weekend's rallies are just the tip of the iceberg.

He and others are preparing to "get more aggressive and we're going to go into Waikiki," Gora said. "We're going to hit the economic situation, we're going to hit them hard and we're going to tell them leave, tell the tourists to leave. Because we're not pleased with what's going on."

Kamehameha Schools will have a strong chance of convincing the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to convene a larger panel of judges to rehear the case that resulted in the 2-1 decision this week striking down the school's admissions policy, some legal observers believe.

Although such rehearings are rare, they say the significance of the case and the dissenting opinion that suggests the issue is not so clear cut indicate the appeals judges would give greater consideration to the school's request for the rehearing.

But whether Kamehameha Schools will prevail is anybody's guess.

The polite ones said it was a miscarriage of justice, that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals misunderstood the purpose of Kamehameha Schools.

The blunt ones said that what's happening is selfish grasping and that they are witnessing an organized effort by some non-Hawaiians to seize what belongs to Hawaiians.

State Sen. J. Kalani English, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools who said the education he received there was "the ingredient that gave me success today," was discouraged by the news.

"It's a real sad ruling for us," he said. "It's another indicator that we can't find justice in this system."

English acknowledged that most recent court decisions have gone against Hawaiians-only programs. He wonders where it will end.

"Looking at the large picture of the Hawaiian issue, eventually all entitlements and programs for Native Hawaiians are going to be attacked or challenged," he said.

If the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is challenged, it could be "the undoing of statehood," he said, pointing out that, as a provision of statehood in 1959, the new state government of Hawaii was to administer the programs created by the federally mandated Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921.

"I think eventually it will be at that point where statehood is questioned," he said. "The fundamental question in Hawaii will be: Was statehood constitutional? If it's found that it wasn't, what is our status?"

Maxwell is also troubled by possible challenges against Hawaiian homelands. "We're going to get big-time political unrest," he said.