Carleton Ching has a new job, just not the one he had been expecting earlier this year.

Ching will take the position of director of land development for the University of Hawaii on Nov. 30, the university announced Friday.

He will be responsible for managing UH land assets and he will be charged with systemwide planning, development and oversight of the university’s developed and undeveloped properties.

The former lobbyist for the Castle & Cooke development company was Gov. David Ige’s controversial choice earlier this year to head up the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ching’s nomination generated strong opposition from the environmental community and was ultimately withdrawn when it became clear there was not enough support in the Legislature to confirm his selection.

UH President David Lassner praised Ching in a statement announcing his new position.

“Carleton’s extensive experience in real estate development, coupled with his proven leadership, makes him the ideal executive to help further the University’s strategic direction and focus on being a high performance organization,” Lassner said. “Carleton will be instrumental in leveraging the University’s land assets to support our core mission of providing quality, affordable higher education to the people of Hawaii.”

Carleton Ching during a state Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year.

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