Kamehameha Schools said it has taken disciplinary action against several students over the production of a sexually explicit video that was shared on social networking sites.

School officials said they have reported the matter to the Honolulu Police Department and are cooperating with the police investigation.

"An internal investigation at our Kapalama campus has confirmed that a video produced off campus containing sexual content was being shared between students via social networking media," Michael Chun, the school's headmaster, said in an e-mail to members of the Kamehameha community.

School officials declined to discuss the details of the incidents because of the privacy interests of the students. HPD officials could not be reached.

Producing and distributing sexual content of minors could violate child pornography laws, according to legal experts.

In recent years, law enforcement officials around the country have arrested teens for sharing sexually explicit photos through their cell phones, known as "sexting."

Chun's comments went out to the families of at least 1,800 Kamehameha high school students.

He said the school trains its students about the appropriate and ethical use of the Internet. But he added that it is important for the school to express its concerns about the "irresponsible use of social media tools."

"The consequences of poor choices can be devastating for the children and families involved, as well as for our school 'ohana and the community at large," he said.

Founded by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the Kamehameha Schools is a nonprofit trust that educates children of Hawaiian ancestry.

The video controversy comes several months after school officials were criticized over their handling of an alleged dorm room sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl by two 13-year-old boys. The girl's parents expressed anger at school officials for not immediately calling police after hearing of the allegations.