Kim recovering after heart attack

The Big Isle mayor is undergoing testing at Queen's on Oahu

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim, 68, is recovering in the Queen's Medical Center after suffering a heart attack over the weekend, his second in a little more than three years.

Kim's wife, Roberta Jean Keefe, flew to Oahu yesterday afternoon to join her husband as he underwent more tests at Queen's. Dixie Kaetsu, Big Island managing director, who is serving as acting mayor, said there is no indication as to when Kim can return to work, though she expects him to recover quickly.

The mayor's office issued a short statement yesterday morning, saying Kim had suffered an apparent heart attack at his Hilo home Sunday afternoon. Kim was treated at Hilo Medical Center but was directed to come to Oahu since hospitals on the Big Island are not equipped to conduct thorough cardiac testing.

"His wife said when they wanted to send him to Honolulu, he didn't want to go," Kaetsu said. "I hope he recovers from this one as well as he did the last heart attack. Last time, he had the heart attack on Thursday and was back to work on Monday. I hope he takes more time off this time."

Kim suffered a heart attack in May 2005, and doctors had put two stents -- wire mesh tubes -- in small blood vessels in his heart. Kim has always exercised regularly, according to Kaetsu.

"He's always been conscious of his health," she said. "He just continues to do what he had been doing. He's one of the exceptions. He doesn't have the profile of someone who is at risk for a heart attack."

Kim became Big Island mayor on Dec. 4, 2000, and prior to that served as administrator for the Hawaii Civil Defense Agency.

Kaetsu said it is not known when Kim can return back to work.

"It just kills him to be laid up in bed," Kaetsu said. "He doesn't like that at all. We make to make sure that he takes the time to rest and try not to come back to work too quickly."