Lawsuits Challenge Racial Equity Policies in Portland Schools and Native Hawaiian Admissions at Kamehameha Schools

Two significant lawsuits in the U.S. challenge racial equity policies in education. In Portland, Oregon, a parent is suing Portland Public Schools for alleged racial discrimination, arguing the district's racial equity policies and fundraising rules unfairly impact schools like Glencoe Elementary, which received less funding and fewer resources due to these policies. Separately, in Hawaii, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), an organization opposing affirmative action, filed a federal lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools, a prestigious institution that prioritizes Native Hawaiian applicants, claiming the admissions policy constitutes racial discrimination and violates federal civil rights laws. Kamehameha Schools, founded through the will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop to benefit Native Hawaiian children, has an endowment exceeding $15 billion and faces ongoing legal scrutiny following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action. The lawsuits reflect broader national debates on race-conscious policies in education, with the Portland case focusing on public school equity programs, and the Hawaii case targeting private school admissions favoring indigenous ancestry. Both cases highlight tensions between efforts to address historical inequities and claims of racial discrimination in educational access and resources.