Broken Trust: Greed, Mismanagement & Political Manipulation at America's Largest Charitable Trust


Discussion Questions

  • Questions Relating to the Entire Book:
    • Is there an important lesson to be learned from this book?  If so, what is that lesson?
    • Which person in the story do you admire the most?  Why?
    • Describe the kind of person you think would make a good Bishop Estate trustee.  Do you think others view you now, or someday will view you, as that kind of person?
    • If you could change anything about Kamehameha Schools, what would it be and who would benefit from that change?  Would anyone be adversely affected by the change?
    • If Princess Pauahi were alive today, what do you think she would be like?  Is there anything that you would want to ask her?
    • If Princess Pauahi were alive today, do you think she would want to change anything about Kamehameha Schools?  Is there anything in her Will that she might want to change?  Why?
    • What is the most important thing you learned by reading this book?  What makes it so important?
    • What is the most interesting thing you learned by reading this book?  What makes it so interesting?
    • There is an old saying: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Do you agree with the saying?  Do you think it is relevant to this book?  Explain.
    • In the Afterword, Jan Hanohano Dill says the book triggered in him a feeling of kaumaha (heaviness and grief), and also pride.  How did the book make you feel?