HILO — Former Mayor Harry Kim is jumping into the mayoral race once again.
Kim said Thursday he’s decided to run again, this time on a campaign to restore trust in government.
“This is something we have to do because it’s right,” Kim said. “The way people feel about the government is not good for any of us. … Trust is something you work for every single day, like any relationship, you work every day to earn the public’s trust.”
Kim, 76, was mayor from 2000 to 2008, and worked in county Civil Defense for 24 years before that. He lost to Mayor Billy Kenoi in 2012 by a 1,438-vote margin — earning 49 percent of the vote compared to Kenoi’s 51 percent. Kim jumped into the race on the last day of qualifying last time, and he had vowed to decide earlier this time.
Kim is entering a crowded race.
Former Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann, 74, was the first to announce his candidacy and has been busy attending talk sessions and running ads since September.
“I’m not surprised that Mr. Kim has decided to run for mayor,” Hoffmann said. “He and I had several conversations over the past six months or so. I did ask Harry to join me in a partnership. It would have been a very strong partnership.”
Hoffmann said he welcomes Kim’s entry into the race.
“I’m pleased to know that we will have much fuller discussion of the issues by all the candidates,” he said.
Hoffmann was followed into the race by videographer Wendell Kaehuaea, 73, who’s run unsuccessfully for public office 21 times, including three times for mayor.
Kaehuaea quipped that the ballot, being alphabetical, will have his name before Kim’s.
“Nobody’s going to pass my name,” he said. “They’ll stop there.”
On a more serious note, Kaehuaea also welcomed Kim’s entry into the race.
“It’s the more the merrier. Everybody’s got their own talents,” he said. “I’m just running on what I have and what I’m going to offer.”
Former County Managing Director Wally Lau, 67, announced his candidacy in late January.
“I wish him the very best,” Lau said, adding he won’t be changing his campaign strategy. “My game plan is still my game plan.”
Shannon McCandless is the youngest of the group at 30. She’s campaigning on a platform of “be the change.”
“I think it’s great,” McCandless said. “We live in a democracy and the people should have a good choice to choose from.”
Candidates Jefferson Gourley and Eric Weinert did not return telephone messages by press time Thursday.
The mayor is the chief executive officer of the county and appoints department directors and appoints members to numerous commissions and boards. The office is nonpartisan and it’s open this election because Kenoi has been term-limited after eight years in office.
The candidate filing period runs through June 7. Polls open for early voting Aug. 1, with primary Election Day on Aug. 13.
To qualify for the ballot, candidates must come up with verified signatures of registered voters living within the district — 15 for local races and 25 for statewide races. In addition, candidates must pay filing fees ranging from $75 to $750, depending on the race. Fees drop to as low as $25 for candidates who agree to limit their campaign spending.
