Woman of Vision: Honoring Ke Aliʻi Pauahi for Women’s History Month
Reading time: 5 minutes
March 9th, 2026
Women’s History Month invites reflection as we continue to honor the leadership and contributions of women every day. In Hawaiʻi, we honor the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop, also known as Ke Aliʻi Pauahi in Hawaiian, a woman whose foresight and aloha continue to guide and sustain her lāhui (Native Hawaiian community).
Born into nobility, Pauahi witnessed firsthand the rapid decline of Hawai‘i’s native population, along with the erosion of language and cultural traditions during the 19th century. With a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility), she understood that the survival of her lāhui depended on education grounded not only in academic excellence, but also in cultural values and ʻike Hawaiʻi, which are the knowledge systems passed down through kūpuna (ancestors).
A vision rooted in aloha, foresight and kuleana
At a time when few women anywhere in the world held authority over land or wealth, Pauahi made a decision shaped by extraordinary vision and care. Through her will, she placed her vast estate into a trust to establish what would become Kamehameha Schools to ensure that generations of Native Hawaiian children would have access to education long after her lifetime. In doing so, she affirmed that learning could open doors to opportunity while remaining firmly rooted in culture and heritage.
Generations of haumāna (students) carrying her legacy forward
Since opening its doors in 1887, Kamehameha Schools has grown into a network of learning throughout the Hawaiian archipelago shaped by Pauahi’s original vision. From early education through high school and beyond, and through scholarships and community-based programs, that commitment continues to support learners at every stage. Today, her legacy is reflected in haumāna and graduates who chart a purposeful path guided by culture, values and a deep sense of responsibility to their lāhui.
The enduring power of mele (song) and Song Contest
Every March, Pauahi’s living legacy finds one of its most powerful expressions through the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, a beloved student-led tradition that has endured for more than a century, which celebrates ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), music, and class pride. Established in the early 1920s, Song Contest is a collective expression of memory, identity, and cultural continuity—carried forward by each new generation of haumāna.
This year’s 106th Annual Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Song Contest, themed “Pauahi Nona Ka Lei: Songs Honoring Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop,” is especially meaningful. Through mele, students honor Pauahi by embodying the values she lived by: unity, humility, perseverance and aloha.
Honoring Pauahi, then and now
As we observe Women’s History Month, we honor Ke Aliʻi Pauahi not only as an inspiring figure in Hawaiʻi’s history, but as part of a broader lineage of women whose leadership and vision have empowered—and continue to empower—communities across generations.
As the last two lines of this year’s song contest theme “Pauahi Nona Ka Lei” express,
“‘A‘ole poina nā kānaka i ka nui lokomaika‘i ona” – The Hawaiian people shall never forget her kindness and generosity.
Bank of Hawaiʻi is a proud sponsor of the Kamehameha Schools Song Contest, supporting traditions that uplift ʻōlelo Hawai‘i, perpetuate culture, and celebrate leadership grounded in deep-rooted history and place. Watch the Song Contest live broadcast on Friday, March 13, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Photo credit: Hawai‘i State Archives, Photography Collection PP-96-1-001
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