Harry Kim

From dKosopedia

Category: Hawaii Republicans

Harry Kim is the mayor of Hawaii County (he was reelected during the 2004 election cycle). When elected in 2000, Kim became the first mayor of Korean descent in the United States.

Kim is best known for his longtime, relatively high-profile position as County Director of Civil Defense. His frequent, trademark radio broadcasts gave him broad name recognition.

After sixteen years as Civil Defense Director, Kim ran for Mayor. Kim's 2000 campaign was noted for its humility, demonstrated by his refusal to accept any donation over $10 and bumper stickers reading "Applicant for Mayor". He ran as a Republican. Also on the ballot in 2000 was a successful initiative that would change Hawaii County political races into non-partisan races.

Kim is thinking of running for Governor in the 2006 elections. Kim said, although party labels do not really interest him, that if he ran it would be as a Democrat.

Kim had a heart attack in May of 2005 but returned to work days after doctors put two stents -- wire mesh tubes -- in small blood vessels in his heart.

Kim grew up in Keaau on the island of Hawaii. He attended Ola'a School and Hilo High School. He then attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Southern Oregon University.

In Nov. 2005, during the taping the Hawaii Public Television show "Island Insights, former Hawai'i Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano said Kim is the Democrat's best chance of defeating Lingle.

"I would like to have Harry Kim as a candidate. Harry Kim has a story that would resonate well," Cayetano said. [1]

Harry Kim is married to Roberta Jean "Bobbi" Keefe and has two sons.

Professional life:

• Social studies teacher, Honoka'a High School, 1967-1969
• Teacher, Hilo High 1969-1971
• Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, 1971-1976
• Hawai'i County Civil Defense Director, 1976-2000
• Hawai'i County Mayor, 2000 to present.

External Links

• Harry Kim (Wikipedia)
• Hawai'i County Mayor (Hawai'i County)
• Popular figure understands hardship Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 10-19-00.
• Regarding Harry Honolulu Weekly.
• Thompson Rod. Kim’s budget for Big Isle hits $277.5M -- Despite the increase over the current plan, homeowners will get promised tax relief Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 3-2-05.
• Borreca, Richard. Kim considers running for gov as Democrat -- The Big Isle mayor won his current job in 2000 as a Republican Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7-8-05.
• Borreca, Richard. Is Democratic Party ready for low-key Kim? Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7-10-2005.
• Borreca, Richard. Dems seek challenger to Lingle Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 9-4-05.
• Borreca, Richard. Cayetano urges Kim to run for governor Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 11-5-05.
• Associated press. Kim urged to take on Lingle Honolulu Advertiser, 11-7-05.
• White, Doug. Acerbic editorial gives Harry hell Poinography, 11-18-05.
• White, Doug. Kim and thoughts of asymmetric campaign warfare Poinography, 11-27-05.
• DePledge, Derrick. Harry's in no hurry to decide if he'll run for governor Honolulu Advertiser, 1-18-06.
• Stanton, Karin. Traffic, land use top Big Isle issues Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 6, 2006.
• Thompson, Rod. Big Island mayor requests tax limits -- Property value increases allow rate caps, Kim proposes Star-Bulletin, March 4, 2006.
• Thompson, Rod. Kim will attend disaster meeting -- The Big Island mayor is one of three representing the U.S. in Germany Star-Bulletin, March 20, 2006.
• White, Doug. Harry Kim STILL not running for Governor Poinography, April 17, 2006.
• Kim disagrees with county budget West Hawai'i Today, June 30, 2006.
• Stanton, Karen. Big Isle mayor would have stuck to his bluejeans Honolulu Star-Bulletin, July 31, 2006.
• Armstrong, Jason. Mayor offers budget -- Kim requests $359M in new expenditures Hawaii Tribune-Herald March 2, 2007.

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