Mayor Kim Doesn't "Do Lunch"
What's a Hawaii lobbyist to do with a politician who marches to a different pahu (drum)?
Jeans-clad Hawaii Island Mayor Harry Kim ("Call me Harry") doesn't go out to lunch, isn't interested in golf, declines most invitations on the "rubber chicken" dinner circuit, and his idea of material comfort is clean drinking water, food, and a roof that doesn't leak.
In 2000, the just-retired County Civil Defense director was an unconventional political candidate, entering the Mayor's race at the last minute and setting a $10 limit on campaign contributions. More than seven years into his second four-year term, he's been a consistently unorthodox Mayor.
Speaking on tonight's "Long Story Short" on PBS Hawaii, Kim said developers and others representing special interests had been operating in an atmosphere created by some of "us politicians" that involved, well, expectations from those seeking County favors.
"I know this is gonna be misinterpreted, but I'll say it," he said.
"...They're no fools, they're not gonna do something that's gonna hurt 'em. They're doing things that they feel they need to do...You know, I joked with them. I said, you know, any money you had to spend on me, just give it to charity on this island."
"A lot of them have," he said.
He cited a new community project in Kona built by developer Stanford Carr.
"That was his contribution, on his own. We didn't ask for it, you know, he donated it."
What's Harry Kim's plan in less than 10 months, when he's pau as Mayor? He doesn't have hobbies and doesn't enjoy traveling. He likes to work. He mentions going back to teaching, perhaps, or working on some level for peace.
Kim was viewed by Democrats as a strong contender for Governor in 2006, if he'd just agree to run. He kept supporters waiting for about a year before giving his answer. He explained he felt it would be wrong not to complete the mayoral term he'd asked Hawaii Islanders to give him.
I notice, in our "Long Story Short" conversation, that he doesn't rule out running for Governor in 2010. Wonder what he's hearing from his different drummer.
***This installment of "Long Story Short" repeats at 2:30 pm Sunday, March 30, 2008.***
Mayor Harry Kim is a cool cat. Modest, humble and casual with a great perspective on life and in nature. I liked what he said about "War" being our greatest failure. If he does run for Governor in 2010 he's got my vote, no matter if I live on Oahu. Great interview Leslie, Aloha
Ernest O. Santos
Posted by: Ernest Santos | March 26, 2008 at 03:09 AM