Punahou was founded in 1841 by resolution in a general meeting of the Sandwich Island Mission to educate children of members of the mission; it was never for whites only. Nor was it a project of businessmen. The founding trustees were Armstrong, Chamberlain, Dole, Emerson & Judd, all missionaries. Bishop served as trustee to 1867-1894 when he moved to California, and possibly longer as he lived until 1915. In 1891, he wrote a letter to mark the jubilee reunion stating how proud he is that among those educated at Punahou included a number of “sons and daughters of Hawai`i…including a number of aboriginal blood…” and then in 1901 donates money to fund scholarships for 6 Hawaiians to attend. Pauahi Hall at Punahou is named for the princess and built with his (their?) money after her passing.

In fact, having joined other ali`i in nursing ill Hawaiians during various epidemics in the 1850s, the Princess took an interest in the health needs of Hawaiians, so much so that she and her husband contributed to the establishment of Queen’s hospital. Since these needs were being addressed by Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV, Pauahi and her husband, who was already an instrumental force with Punahou, turned their attention to the education of Hawaiians.

We use Hawaiian words everyday (often mispronouncing them) and we don’t know what many of the words mean.