By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai‘i — Noted Big Island sportsman and promoter Tai On Chock died Jan. 5 at Hilo Medical Center. He was 73.
Chock, who was the island’s leading sports promoter in the 1960s, brought the Harlem Globetrotters, professional boxing and wrestling and other events to Hilo. He also promoted amateur golf.
Chock was a star basketball player in the 1940s under legendary Hilo High coach Beans Ah Fook and later assisted his alma mater’s sports program and those starting up the Vulcan sports program at University of Hawai‘i-Hilo. He was a member of the Amateur Golf Hall of Fame.
Chock was a member of the large Chinese family that operated the Chock Store in Waimea for generations. He was a retired vice president for the transportation firm known as H T & T Co. and worked with the Piopio Bears Athletic Club and the Boys and Girls Club of Hilo and the United Community Church.
Retired Hilo High basketball coach Al Manliguis described Chock as a "long time friend of our program. He was always there."
Chock helped UHH in its early-day basketball recruiting and his son, Dr. Kyle Chock, played for the Vulcans for two seasons.
Visitation will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Dodo Mortuary Chapel; service at 5 p.m. at the chapel. Family requests casual attire and no flowers. A private urn committal service will be held later on O‘ahu.
He is survived by his wife, Laura; sons, Terrill ,Lorrin and Kyle; daughter, Theone; sister, Muy Choy Wong ; and four grandchildren.
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