Mayor Kim Receives Homeland Heroes Award

Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim has been selected for a prestigious Homeland Heroes award for his ongoing efforts to keep the people of Hawai‘i County safe.

The Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) based in Arlington, Virginia, named Mayor Kim a Mission Awardee for 2018 on Thursday, Nov. 28.

“Mission awardees are selected for their tangible achievements toward achieving their responsibilities and the overall mission of their office,” a press release on the association’s Homeland Security site said. “These are the folks who are actually getting it done.”

The release cited Mayor Kim for his leadership during the Lower East Rift Zone eruption in Puna, noting that he continued to work throughout the eruption and other emergencies “while struggling through mild heart attacks and pneumonia.”

The release said that 24 recipients, chosen for their roles in forwarding the homeland security mission behind the scene, would be honored at the GTSC’s annual event on Dec. 11 in Arlington. Due to other commitments, the mayor will be unable to attend.