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Posted: Monday, June 4th, 2012 6:24 PM HST

Kim enters Big Island Mayoral Race

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

Former Big Island Mayor Harry Kim today shook up the 2012 campaign by announcing that he’ll try to win back his former job this fall. Kim served for eight years until 2008, when he was barred by the County Charter from seeking a third term. During an interview with KPUA News he said the state’s recent move to waive environmental assessments on geothermal exploration convinced him to enter the race. “I could not believe they would do this to the County government, which to me always had the closest tie with the people, and take away the people’s opportunity for direct input because of the elimination of County government authority.” Kim said the issue is not geothermal, but a disturbing process that is undermining the relationship and trust between the people and their government. He said he’ll approach this year’s race just like his two previous campaigns, that featured his one man sign waving and limiting donations to $10. The 2012 field includes incumbent Mayor Billy Kenoi, a former Kim aide and Council Chairman Dominic Yagong. Kim will officially become a candidate tomorrow when he files his nomination papers.