Athletic administration

Services for the late Bernie Ching will be held May 5-6. Ching, who served as an ‘Iolani coach for 48 years, died April 6 at age 79 Ching coached girls and boys basketball, football and paddling, and he also served as a security guard at the school for 38 years. He was also a musician with The Surfers, who recorded the album “Blue Hawaii” with Elvis Presley, and it became a gold record. He sang, played the guitar, ukulele, bass […]

Bernie Ching, who served as an ‘Iolani coach for 48 years, died Friday morning at Queen’s Medical Center surrounded by his family and close friends, according to a letter sent by head of school Timothy Cottrell to his staff. Ching, who was born Jan. 16, 1939, was 79. Ching coached girls and boys basketball, football and paddling, and he also served as a security guard at the school for 38 years. “Bernie was known for his warmth, big smile, and […]

If the name Yasuo Takara doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because — as his daughter Melanie so aptly describes — he was “a man behind the scenes.” But the name Yasuo Takara — who died Feb. 2 at age 85 — will always ring a bell for many in the Hawaii sports world. Professionally, he was an educator — classroom teacher, football coach, athletic director — but his passion was working to make a better life for those around him […]