HENRY HO WONG / 1913-2004

Stable boy became
Kaneohe Ranch
vice president

Gordon Mau said his friend the philanthropist Henry Ho Wong was extremely generous and intelligent.

Henry Wong: Among his gifts was $2 million for the Community Foundation of Hawaii

Mau also said, "He was very loyal and unyielding."

Wong died Friday at his Kaneohe home. He was 91.

Wong was born in Heeia. He graduated with honors from St. Louis School for Boys in 1931.

Days later, Wong started to work for Harold Castle as a stable and office boy at Kaneohe Ranch. He eventually became ranch manager and vice president of the company.

Meanwhile, Wong attended the University of Hawaii in 1954 as a student in the advanced management program held by the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.

For 50 years he negotiated leases and worked with commercial and residential developers. He also was co-executor of Castle's estate.

Wong was also involved in many organizations. He was a former chairman of the Honolulu Police Commission, president of the Kaneohe Rotary Club and member of various organizations that include the Windward Chamber of Commerce, Kailua Lions Club and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Wong -- of Hawaiian, Scottish and Chinese descent -- was the first person of Asian ancestry to become a member of the Mid-Pacific Country Club.

He was also named Saint Louis School's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 2000.

"His reputation in the school is one of a tremendous supporter and devoted alumni who also had a place in his heart for Saint Louis and how it was progressing and improving," said the Rev. Allen DeLong, headmaster of Saint Louis School. "He was considered very close to us."

He made large contributions to many organizations, Roman Catholic churches and schools in the state.

Some include a $2 million donation to the Community Foundation of Hawaii that created the Henry H. Wong Fund for the benefit of St. Francis School, Saint Louis School, St. Anthony's Church and St. Ann's Church.

Wong also donated two acres of property worth an estimated $650,000 to Castle Memorial Hospital.

In 1991 he created the Henry H. Wong Foundation to benefit women and children in need of basic services.

Wong is survived by wife Colene; sons Henry, Gordon and Ross; daughters Lucy Ann Awai and Veronica Davis; 18 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

A service will be held Saturday at St. John Vianney Church, 920 Keolu Drive, Kailua. Visitation is at 9:30 a.m. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Casual attire.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Hawaii Foodbank, Kalihi YMCA, Palama Settlement, Institute for Human Services and the Catholic Charities Family Services' Mary Jane Home.