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'Broken Trust' Authors Revive Issues Of Kamehameha Schools

Initial Essay Sparked End To Trustees

POSTED: 9:50 am HST February 27, 2006

It was nearly a decade ago when the article entitled "Broken Trust" was published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspaper. It eventually led to the removal or resignation of all five trustees from the Bishop Estate and brought about a change in trustee selection. This weekend, "Broken Trust" the book arrived on bookshelves in Hawaii.

KITV and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin have teamed up to take a look at the book and where Kamehameha Schools is now.

One of the most pivotal moments that sparked a change at Bishop Estate was on May 15, 1997. Nearly 1,000 Kamehameha Schools alumni, students, parents and teachers took part in a march to protest what they called the "micro-management" of the schools by trustee Lokelani Lindsey.

They marched from the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu to the state Supreme Court. From there they went on to the trustees' offices at Kawaiahao Plaza.

The trustees' chairman, Richard "Dickie" Wong, was the sole trustee to meet with them.

Inspired by that protest, four Hawaiians -- former judges Walter Heen and Sam King, Monsignor Charles Kekumano and Gladys Brandt -- joined University of Hawaii law professor Randall Roth in co-authoring a highly critical newspaper article. "Broken Trust" was filled with allegations of political manipulation and mismanagement of the Bishop Estate.

Monday night on KITV at 10 p.m.: The authors of "Broken Trust"
"For the ohana (family) to say 'No more.' To march and publicly say that struck me as extremely brave and something worthy of support," Roth said.

"Broken Trust" and the march would set into motion an investigation by state Attorney General Margery Bronster. It was followed by months of courtroom drama in the trial to remove Lindsey.

In the end, all five trustees were off the board and a new era, new management with new trustees had begun.

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