Kamehameha Schools was founded by the will of Ke Ali'i Bernice Pauahi Bishop in 1884. In 1887, three years after her death, Kamehameha School for Boys opened in Honolulu with 37 students and in 1894 the School for Girls opened. From these modest beginnings Kamehameha Schools has grown to become a symbol of educational excellence for Hawaiians. Today, Kamehameha is a school-system with three campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i serving more than 5,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Kamehameha Schools' mission is to fulfill Pauahi's desire to create educational opportunities in perpetuity to improve the capabilities and well being of people of Hawaiian ancestry.

KSAANC represents those graduates living in northern California. The objectives are to support programs of benefit to the Hawaiian community, the Hawaiian people and Kamehameha Schools. They will preserve and perpetuate the native culture of Hawai'i and promote the exchange of information between Kamehameha Schools and the Alumni. . There are eight Alumni Regions across the mainland and five Regions in Hawai'i.