TIM Alumni Celebrate TIM Dean Emeritus Chuck Gee’s 80th Birthday
In celebration of TIM Dean Emeritus and Board of Regent Chuck Gee’s 80th birthday, the TIM alumni put together three fabulous events in Hong Kong, O‘ahu, and Maui. The first celebration in Hong Kong was the largest of the three with about 200 people in attendance, and was held on August 17, 2013 at The Salisbury YMCA. A gala birthday and scholarship benefit for Chuck Gee, the celebration commemorated his 55 years of service to the travel industry and higher education. Guests enjoyed great wine and a three-course gourmet meal with live entertainment comprised of an opera concert by Madame Yun Deng, the Guangzhou Trout Opera, and Cathy Foy. The schedule of the evening included speeches by Larry Tchou and Hyatt International, a special tribute and testimonials about Chuck, a birthday celebration, and a presentation of the monies raised for the Chuck Yim Gee Asia Pacific TIM Scholarship Fund. This was a great way for alumni to connect with each other abroad as well as stay in touch with the TIM School. Thank you to all of our alumni and attendees who made this international event a success. A special thanks to Karen Li (BBA ’83), Johnson Choi (BBA ’77), Roberta Wong Leung (BBA ’70, BA ’71) and their event team for all their hard work in planning this amazing event.
The second Chuck Gee birthday celebration took place in Honolulu on August 27, 2013 at the Wai‘alae Country Club and was hosted and planned by TIM International, Inc. There were about 90 attendees who enjoyed live entertainment and an amazing spread of pūpū, including a sushi bar and hosted drinks. The Wah Ngai Physical Cultural Club performed a lion dance, and guests were treated to music by the Hawaiian trio of George Kuo (BS ’78), Aaron Mahi, and Martin Pahinui. Special guests included Chancellor Tom Apple, Vice Chancellor Reed Dasenbrock, and UH Foundation President & CEO Donna Vuchinich. Chancellor Apple echoed the sentiment of many in attendance by referring to the TIM School as “the most important program at the University.” To close the evening, guests celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday” to Chuck and sending him their warmest wishes. Each ticket to this event provided a donation of $50 towards the Chuck Yim Gee Asia Pacific TIM Scholarship Fund. A big mahalo to TIM alumni Lee-Ann Choy (BBA ’88) and Lois Sismar (BBA ’72) for taking the lead and planning this wonderful event.
The third and final birthday celebration took place on the island of Maui at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel on September 27, 2013. Coordinated by TIM alumnus and TIM International board member Joseph Pluta (BBA ’74), the Maui event was hosted by KBH General Manager and Maui County Council member Michael White (BBA ’72) and attracted about 50 TIM alumni and guests. The event started with a cocktail reception, followed by the Tiki Courtyard Trio and KBH staff performing hula, singing songs and playing music. Aside from celebrating Chuck Gee’s 80th birthday, this event also helped the TIM School to reconnect with its Maui alumni and share the impressive accomplishments the School has had over the past few years. Mahalo to Joe Pluta and his staff for putting together such a fantastic event and to TIM alumnus Mike White for hosting the event at his hotel.