On the Scene with Douglas K.T. Ho

Philanthropist Douglas K.T. Ho, 73, is a Vietnam War combat veteran and lifelong coin collector whose cherished memories include time spent hanging out with Muhammad Ali. He befriended the champ after his sister married the man who became Ali’s physician.

Ho heads the Beatrice M. H. Young Foundation and deals in high-grade coins and precious metals as the president of Classic Coins Hawaii. In recent years, he has been funding books and films, and supporting local charities.

What is your latest big project?

“Robin Lung’s documentary film, “Finding Kukan,” about the rediscovery of Chinese-American film producer Li Ling-Ai’s long-lost 1941 documentary, “Kukan: The Battle Cry of China,” on the Japanese invasion of China.

“I’m interested in history, so when Robin contacted me I told her I’d be an executive producer. “Finding Kukan” received special recognition at the Hawaii International Film Festival last month and was so popular they had to add a third screening.”

Since the Beatrice M.H. Young Foundation became the title sponsor of the Miss Chinatown Pageant, you’ve expanded it so there are two queens. One goes to the national Miss Chinatown Pageant and one goes to either Miss Hawaii or Miss Hawaii USA. In 2013, Miss Chinatown Crystal Lee went on to become Miss Hawaii. Why did you add a second queen to the pageant?

“It gives the girls more opportunities to expand into other areas. We still send a contestant and her court to San Francisco for the national Miss Chinatown Pageant but we’re also sending a contestant to a second major pageant.”

What is your favorite memory of Muhammad Ali?

“I had a lot of dinners and meetings with him but my favorite is the Thrilla in Manila (in 1975). It was reputed to be probably the greatest fight of all time.

“Six hours after the fight we had dinner in Malacanang Palace with President Marcos. The memories are priceless.”

What inspired you to become a philanthropist?

“Dr. (Lawrence) Tseu has been very generous supporting charities from here to London. I’ve followed in Larry’s footsteps.”

You’re a coin collector as well as a coin dealer who specializes in rare coins. Is there a coin you’re looking for your personal collection?

“The 1943 copper Lincoln cent. I’ll pay $200,000 for one of those.”

“On the Scene” appears weekly in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine. Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.