UPDATE: Mayor Kim in Stable Condition, Weighing Options

Mayor Harry Kim. Courtesy photo.

UPDATE: April 26, 2018, 4:10 p.m.

Hawai’i County Mayor Harry Kim is in stable condition at The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, as he weighs options regarding a procedure after being medevaced after experiencing chest pains early today.

As of late afternoon on Thursday, April 26, there was no diagnosis, said Wil Okabe, the county’s managing director, who is serving as acting mayor while the mayor is on sick leave.

“Harry’s in stable condition and they’re looking at a procedure,” Okabe said. “They’ll give him some options later on today or tomorrow.”

The mayor has been undergoing tests, and was not accepting visits for the time being.

“We want to respect his privacy and let him rest as we wait for the doctor’s determination on what the next steps are,” Okabe said.

The 78-year- old mayor drove himself to Hilo Medical Center around 4:30 a.m. and proceeded to call Okabe and other staff to notify them of the situation. He was medevaced to O‘ahu around 6:45 a.m.

The mayor has had three previous heart attacks, and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2008.

“We’ve had an outpouring of people calling, emailing and on social media telling us how much Harry means to them,” Okabe said. “Harry is very grateful for all of the good wishes and prayers, and so are we.”

“Mayor Kim has a fighting spirit and I know he’ll want to be back at work serving the people of Hawai‘i County as quickly as possible,” said Gov. David Ige. “I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.”

ORIGINAL POST: April 26, 10:18 a.m.

Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim has been medevaced to The Queens Medical Center in Honolulu as a precautionary measure after experiencing chest pains early Thursday morning, April 26, 2018, according to a press release from his office.

The 78-year-old mayor drove himself to Hilo Medical Center around 4:30 a.m. and called Managing Director Wil Okabe and other staff to notify them of the situation.

He was medevaced to O‘ahu around 6:45 a.m.

The mayor has had three previous heart attacks, and underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2008.

“He knows the symptoms, and he knows what to do,” Director Okabe said. “We’re offering prayers for Harry, knowing that he’ll be back very shortly.”

Okabe will serve as acting mayor while the Mayor Kim is on sick leave.

An emergency meeting of the county department heads and executive staff was held to inform everyone of the situation.

“We’re going to continue to do the work; everyone assured me that they’re committed to carrying out the mission we always have—of making this a better place to live,” Okabe said. “Harry has confidence in everybody that they’ll continue the mission.”