The owner of the Kukui Gardens Housing Complex on Liliha Street is selling the complex, which consists of 857 rental units for low- to moderate-income residents.

The Kukui Gardens Corp. announced it has hired CB Richard Ellis' Honolulu and San Francisco offices to market the 22-acre property, which also borders Vineyard Boulevard and North King Street.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to finance the philanthropic efforts of the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, a charity founded by the developer of the Kukui Gardens complex.

Kukui Gardens said that the project's 2,500 tenants will be allowed to remain as renters until 2011.

Kukui Gardens, which opened in 1970, was built with financing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Owners of the project must provide low- to moderate-income housing on the property under an agreement with HUD that expires in 2011.

Founded in 1967, the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation is a $3.8 million charitable organization that has provided millions of dollars in grants to St. Louis School, Chaminade University and St. Francis Medical Center.

Besides Kukui Gardens, Clarence Ching's Loyalty Enterprises developed hundreds of single-family homes and apartments in Moanalua and other parts of O'ahu.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.