One of the two firms protesting the awarding of a contract for the resurfacing of the University of Hawai'i Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex (formerly Cooke Field) has withdrawn its protest, UH announced today.

The contract of $862,381 was awarded on Aug. 13 to the lowest-bidder, RMY Construction, Inc., to install a new synthetic playing surface.

Following the award, protests were received from the second-lowest bidder, CO-HA Builders, Inc., and the fourth-lowest bidder, Ching's Nursery, Inc.

The remaining protest is that of Ching's Nursery. UH has filed to dismiss Ching's appeal.

A representative of CO-HA Builders said their company "does not desire to delay the Cooke Field Project nor does it intend to continue challenging what appears to be a predetermined outcome."

The issue was the subject of a hearing at the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and now awaits a ruling from the hearings officer.

The Legislature this session appropriated $1.2 million for the turf replacement project and the Ching Foundation is providing $5 million for the athletic complex.

Prior to the protests, construction was to have begun in Augustand been completed by Oct. 31.

"If the legal obstacles can be removed and we can quickly begin work on the project, there is still a chance that the new field can be used this season by our football team,

as well as other groups such as the band, ROTC, and physical education classes," said UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.