Helen Ting Chun Char

She was a premature 7-month-old baby coming into the world at 3 pounds 7 ounces. She was in an incubator at the Queen’s Hospital for nearly a month and always commented that she was dark skinned because of the baking in the incubator. Her father said she would survive because of her very loud cries.

Helen had four siblings, Clarence, Rose, Kenneth and Clifford, she being the oldest. They grew up in the McCully area where the neighbors were close-knit and as she mentioned, no one had to lock their doors.

She graduated from McKinley High School in 1951 and continued to keep in contact with many of her classmates, often serving on the committee for their class reunions. She also graduated from the Style Center School of Costume Design in 1952.

Helen met her husband Phillip Tim Char through mutual friends, Betty and Francis Lum. Phillip was playing mahjong at the Lum’s residence when Helen was introduced to the mah jong group. She later learned Phillip inquired about the “good looking Filipino girl.”

Phillip proposed in a very unusual way by telling Helen he told his mother he was getting married. Helen inquired, “Oh? To whom?” He answered, “YOU.” They were married in the First Chinese Church on November 26, 1955, and spent 55 years together until Phillip’s passing on June 7, 2011.

Phillip's mother, Clara Chee Char passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54 on July 1, 1957, less than two years after Phillip and Helen were married. Helen remained home and became the caregiver for her father-in-law, Wah Kun Char for 9 years until he passed away at the age of 76 on March 17, 1966.

Phillip and Helen had two sons, Clayton and David. David passed away on December 20, 1968, at the age of 8 from cardiac arrest due to an anaphylactoid reaction from an allergy shot in the doctor's office. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children, but Helen and Phillip found the courage to continue everyday living because of the support and love for their son Clayton and each other.

Clayton married Dorene Kakisako on May 28, 1983, and they have three children, Melissa, Ryan and Renee, who were the joy of Phillip and Helen’s retirement years. The grandchildren helped to keep Phillip & Helen young, active and happy, and they considered the grandchildren bonuses in their lives.

In her later years, Helen also enjoyed the company of her four great-grandchildren, Ryan & Ellie Hayashi and William & Ethan Char.

Helen enjoyed her mahjong games with close friends. She usually played in the evenings to have

the day hours for time with Phillip, chores and other activities. She loved to cook for family and friends, sew, crochet, knit, work in her garden, bowl (in younger times), socialize & participate in activities with club friends.

Helen served as President of the Chinese Women's Club in 2011 and as President of the Hawaii Chinese Civic Association in 2013 and was a member of the Organization of Chinese American Women and the Lung Doo Benevolent Society. She served as a director and officer for many organizations.

The family, club and social activities helped to ease the loneliness and loss of Phillip. Looking back on her lifetime of caring for family, entertaining friends, and participating in club activities, Helen expressed that she was happy with her life.

Helen passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, with her immediate family by her side.