Transformational gift to UH Mānoa Athletics Department

"The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation is Mr. Ching’s vision realized, creating a long-term funding source for charities and organizations that benefit the people of Hawaiʻi. During his lifetime, Mr. Ching was a loyal fan of University of Hawaiʻi athletics. We believe he would be pleased that, through the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, the foundation will be supporting team and leadership-building programs, as well as student wellness, for generations to come." Jack Tsui, chairman of the Clarence T.C Foundation

Clarence T.C. Ching

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents recently voted to accept a $5 million gift from the Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation to assist in the construction of an athletics complex on the makai campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In recognition of this historic gift, the new facility will be named the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex.

The gift will transform Cooke Field, UH Mānoa’s only on-campus, all-purpose track and field, football, soccer and recreational facility. Used in conjunction with state funding, it will support the development of an athletics facilities master plan and to enhance athletics facilities on the makai campus including a facility to house and support a wide variety of activities.

"As has been reported both locally and nationally over the past year, our athletics facilities need to be enhanced and upgraded," said UH Mānoa Athletics Director Jim Donovan. "The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation is leading the way to build a partnership that will help create a facility at the center of the makai campus, that will benefit our student-athletes, student-body, and the community as a whole."

L-R Jack Tsui, Scott Wo, President David McClain, Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, Donna Vuchinich, Board of Regents Chair Allan Landon, UH Mānoa Athletics Director Jim Donovan

The late Clarence T. C. Ching was a developer, realtor, banker, affordable housing pioneer, and philanthropist. He was born on Kauaʻi in 1912. His father, an immigrant from Canton, China, came to Hawaiʻi to work in the rice fields. Appreciating the importance of a good education, he worked hard and sent his sons to St. Louis School.

Clarence Ching was well known for developing the areas around Honolulu Airport, Salt Lake, Moanalua, Ft. Shafter and Tripler with noted businessman K. J. Luke. Ching impacted the lives of many through his building of Kukui Gardens in Honolulu, one of the largest affordable rental projects in the state.

Today, his legacy lives on through the Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation created by Ching in 1967 to support charitable and educational functions.

"The Clarence T. C. Ching Foundation is helping us capture the momentum created by our outstanding year in athletics and moving it outward to our students and the community beyond."