The state has cleared the way for renovations to begin on the new University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex.

The second of two protests was dismissed yesterday by the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Sheryl Nagata after a hearing last Thursday. Last Friday, CO-HA Builders Inc., the other firm that was contesting the awarding of a contract to resurface the former Cooke Field, withdrew its protest.

"I'm tremendously pleased that legal obstacles are now removed and that we (can) begin work on the project," said UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw in a release.

The contract of $862,381 was awarded by UH on Aug. 13 to RMY Construction, Inc., the lowest bidder, to install a new synthetic playing surface. A few days later CO-HA Builders Inc., and Ching's Nursery filed protests.

Prior to the protests, construction was to begin in August and be completed by Oct. 31.

In early August, Gov. Linda Lingle released more than $1.2 million for installation of new turf with the Ching Foundation providing $5 million for the athletic complex.

The previous turf was removed due to extensive deterioration, leaving the current surface unfit for UH football practices, track and field, marching band practices, intramural sports use, ROTC practices and other activities.