Amid backlash, lawmakers defend mainland trip over Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Instagram video of two state lawmakers visiting Virginia to find Edward Blum, the latest challenger to Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, ignited a flurry of frustration online.

Critics questioned whether state Sen. Brenton Awa and Rep. Diamond Garcia used taxpayer money to pay for the trip, but Awa said they paid for it out of their own pockets.

“Kamehameha Schools is a private entity, so yeah, there would be, that’s a conflict,” Awa said. “We’re not asking, ‘Eh taxpayers, you guys wanna pay for a $15 billion company?’…

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS