Harry Kim (politician)
| Harry Kim | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Mayor of Hawaii County | |
|
Assumed office December 5, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Billy Kenoi |
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In office December 4, 2000 – December 1, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Stephen Yamashiro |
| Succeeded by | Billy Kenoi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1939 (age 77–78) ‘Ola‘a, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Bobbie Kim |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Residence | Hilo, Hawaii |
| Alma mater | Southern Oregon State University |
| Profession | Civil Defense Director (retired) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Harry Kim (born 1939) is the Mayor of Hawaii County. He previously served as Mayor from 2000-2008. Prior to his election, he was the county's civil defense director.
Kim was born to Korean-American immigrants, the youngest of eight children. He was raised in ‘Ola‘a in what was then the Territory of Hawaii (now Keaʻau, Hawaii). They resided in a one-bedroom house with no electricity or running water. He and his siblings would often work for the family business and perform other chores to the point where he was surprised when he learned of a typical weekend.
He attended ʻOla'a School and Hilo High School. He then attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and graduated from Southern Oregon State University. He served in the United States Army as a medic and was a teacher and coach. Kim served for 16 years as County Director of Civil Defense. As Director, Harry Kim would go on the radio and would update the residents of Hawai'i.
Kim announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for mayor in 2000. After defeating Democrat turned Republican State Representative Harvey Tajiri in the primary Kim won the general election, receiving 50% of the vote. His opponents, Democratic candidate Fred Holschuh and Green Party candidate Keiko Bonk received 30 and 20 percent, respectively.
In 2004, Kim ran for a second term, easily winning re-election.
While Kim first ran for mayor as a Republican, he considers himself to be nonpartisan. Prior to running for mayor, his only visible political activity had been backing Democratic mayor Lorraine Inouye. In 2006, prominent Democrats including former Governor Ben Cayetano, then-U.S. Representatives Neil Abercrombie and party chairman Mike McCartney encouraged Kim to run for governor against Linda Lingle. On July 22, 2006, shortly before the filing deadline, he removed his name from consideration.
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