Posted on: Saturday, June 16, 2001

Lindberg Ching, owner of Lindy's Foods, dead at 73

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hau'ula businessman Lindberg Ching, longtime owner of Lindy's Foods, was known for his generous donations to schools and sports programs and for letting families run a tab when they couldn't pay their grocery bill.

He served as president of Kahuku Hospital and the Hau'ula Elementary School PTA and started the Ko'olauloa Little League.

"He was most proud of co-signing a loan for the community's first ambulance," said Tyler Ching, his son.

The senior Ching died June 4 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 73.

Ching learned the grocery business in Punalu'u, where he ran Quong Store.

Born in Punalu'u on May 6, 1928, Ching was the eighth of 16 children. He attended elementary school in Hau'ula and graduated from Kahuku High School in 1945.

He enrolled at the University of Hawai'i but returned home after the 1946 tsunami destroyed the family home and business. The family rebuilt after the wave.

Ching married Frances Lee in 1950 and, with partners, opened Kahuku Supermarket across from Kahuku High in 1959. He sold the store in the mid-1980s.

In 1964 Ching opened several businesses in the new Hau'ula Kai Shopping Center, including Lindy's, a billiard parlor, Tastee Freez and a laundromat. All the businesses either closed or were sold; Lindy's, which closed this year, was the last to shut down.

In 1990 he purchased Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo, which is operated by his daughter.

Ching is survived by 15 siblings, his wife; daughter, Debra Ching Maiava; sons Colin, Tyler and Rowell; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be held July 1.