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Harry Kim (politician)
Encyclopedia
Harry Kim is a former mayor
of Hawaii County, Hawaii
. Hawaii County is the government of Hawaii island
, known as the Big Island. He was elected in 2000, and served until 2008.
. He then attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo
and Southern Oregon 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.
Kim ran for Mayor in 2000 replacing Stephen K. Yamashiro
, limiting campaign contributions to $10.
To run in the election he was required to choose a political party and opted to run as a Republican
. Also on the ballot that year was a provision rendering future Hawaii County political races non-partisan. The initiative passed, and Kim then disavowed his connection to the Republicans.
After defeating Republican Harvey Tajiri in the primary, Kim won the general election, receiving 50% of the vote. His opponents, Democrat Fred Holschuh and former Green Party county councilwoman Keiko Bonk
received 30 and 20 percent, respectively.
In 2004, Kim ran for a second term, easily defeating candidates including Dominic Yagong and "cannabis sacrament" minister Roger Christie
. During his time in office, Kim advocated, among other initiatives, recycling projects and the creation of a new County office complex in the place of the defunct Kaikoo Mall.
In July 2005 Kim announced he was considering running for governor as a Democrat. On July 22, 2006, shortly before the filing deadline, he removed his name from consideration.
Mayor of Hawaii
The Mayor of Hawaii is the chief executive officer of the County of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii. He or she has municipal jurisdiction over the Big Island of Hawaii. The current mayor is Billy Kenoi...
of Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County, Hawaii
Hawaii County is a county located in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. It is coterminous with the Island of Hawaii, often called the "Big Island" to distinguish it from the state as a whole. As of the 2010 Census the population was 185,079. The county seat is Hilo. There are no...
. Hawaii County is the government of Hawaii island
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
, known as the Big Island. He was elected in 2000, and served until 2008.
Life
Kim was born in and grew up in Keaau (also known by its older name, Olaa). He attended Ola'a School and Hilo High SchoolHilo High School
Hilo High School is a public, co-educational high school of the Hawaii State Department of Education, and serves grades nine through twelve. Established in 1906, its first class graduated in 1909. Hilo High School is near the Wailuku River in Hawaii County on the Big Island of Hawaii. The campus...
. He then attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Hilo
The University of Hawaii at Hilo, UHH, or UH Hilo is one of the ten branches of the University of Hawaii system anchored by the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii...
and Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University
is a public liberal arts college located in Ashland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1926, it was formerly known as Southern Oregon College and Southern Oregon State College . SOU offers criminology, natural sciences, including environmental science, Shakespearean studies and theatre arts programs...
. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
as a medic and was a teacher and coach. Kim served for 16 years as County Director of Civil Defense.
Kim ran for Mayor in 2000 replacing Stephen K. Yamashiro
Stephen K. Yamashiro
Stephen Kei Yamashiro was an American politician and lawyer who served as the former Mayor of Hawaii County from 1992 to 2000. Yamashiro served on the Hawaii County council from 1976 to 1990, including eleven years as the council's chairman...
, limiting campaign contributions to $10.
To run in the election he was required to choose a political party and opted to run as a Republican
Hawaii Republican Party
The Hawaii Republican Party is the state affiliate of the Republican Party of the United States. Based in Honolulu, the party is a central organization established for the promotion of the party platform as it is drafted in convention every other year...
. Also on the ballot that year was a provision rendering future Hawaii County political races non-partisan. The initiative passed, and Kim then disavowed his connection to the Republicans.
After defeating Republican Harvey Tajiri in the primary, Kim won the general election, receiving 50% of the vote. His opponents, Democrat Fred Holschuh and former Green Party county councilwoman Keiko Bonk
Keiko Bonk
Keiko Cecilia Bonk is a Hawaiin American activist, artist, musician and politician.-Life:Born July 13, 1954 in Honolulu, her mother was Fumie Matsuoka and father was William Bonk, an archeologist who died in 2008...
received 30 and 20 percent, respectively.
In 2004, Kim ran for a second term, easily defeating candidates including Dominic Yagong and "cannabis sacrament" minister Roger Christie
Roger Christie
Roger Christie is an ordained minister in the Religion of Jesus Church, which regards marijuana as a "sacramental herb." In 2000, he founded the THC Ministry, which offered cannabis as a part of its services...
. During his time in office, Kim advocated, among other initiatives, recycling projects and the creation of a new County office complex in the place of the defunct Kaikoo Mall.
In July 2005 Kim announced he was considering running for governor as a Democrat. On July 22, 2006, shortly before the filing deadline, he removed his name from consideration.