Originally separated by gender, Kamehameha Schools was founded in 1887 in Kaʻiwiʻula. Today, that place is known as the Bishop Museum. They made the school here because they wanted the students to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city, leaning more towards a country environment.
All buildings on campus, with the exception of one, were designed by a man named Charles Dickie. He is the same man who designed Honolulu Hale. The names of each building were specifically chosen in order to have an important meaning. These names were chosen to represent Pauahiʻs life and in honor of the Kamehameha genealogical line. Since the Kamehameha and Kalākaua lines are different, only one building is named after something from the Kalākaua line.
Starting from the top of the campus, the first building is called Keōpuolani, the most sacred wife of Kamehameha. She was mother to famous chiefs Nahiʻenaʻena, Kamehameha II and Kamehameha III. The others girls dorms are named Kekaukulohi, Kinaʻu, and Kapiʻolaninui.
The name of the gym below the girls dorm is called Kaʻahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha. The gym was named this because Kaʻahumanu was known for her athletic ability.
Haleakalā, which was once the girls dining room, now serves as English and art classrooms. The name translates to house of the sun, and was the name of Pauahiʻs home.
Smith Office is one of 3 buildings on campus that donʻt have a Hawaiian name. Because of the person the building was named after, there is an ongoing debate on why the name should be changed. Smith was an active member in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. Until 1970, Smith was used as a library.
All papers that came to Keʻeli˚kōlani were written in Hawaiian. Because of the love for her language, the culture, and her desire to see Hawaiʻi thrive, the auditorium and performing arts building are named in her honor. She was Pauahiʻs favorite cousin, and because she had no children, bestowed all of her lands to Pauahi.
Kapuokahi, also known to the students today as "tech building", is the most unknown as far as itʻs actual name goes. Kapuokahi was once a skilled craftsman, and designed many of Kamehamehaʻs weapons.
Hale Ola, translating to house of life, once served as the maternity ward. Today, it is the school nursery.
Pākī is the only building that was designed by a graduate. As a gift, the designer made the building for free.