HONOLULU -- Judges from the 9th Circuit appeals court held a hearing Thursday on an appeal in a lawsuit challenging Kamehameha Schools' Hawaiian-preference admissions policy.

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Students unable to see the argument themselves used song and prayer as spiritual influence.

"I definitely think that we brought mana (power) to the courtroom and I am pretty sure they could feel it up there," Kamehameha Schools senior Jaimee Lung said.

The question for three federal appeals judges was whether a non-Hawaiian called "John Doe" must be admitted.

Discussion: Share your thoughts on Kamehameha Schools' admission policy.

"The policy is in a word: illegal," attorney for John Doe, Eric Grant, said.

After the arguments ended, several students allowed in the courtroom said they thought Kamehameha's lawyer did great.

"It seemed like she knew everything that the judges were going to ask and she had a perfect answer for every question," eighth-grader Cody Dietrich said.

The judges seemed focused on history that Kamehameha Schools was built on former royal family land, with royal family money, directed by a private will.

"A little surprising about the emphasis on sovereignty, but not a problem at all," Grant said.

U.S. District Judge Alan Kay ruled last year that Kamehameha's admissions policy was justified because it sought to remedy the socio-economic and educational disadvantages suffered by Hawaiians since the overthrow of the monarchy.

The appeals court judges took no action at Thursday's hearing.