Harry Kim sustains back injury

HILO » Former Big Island Mayor Harry Kim says he is trying to get an appointment with a Honolulu neurologist to deal with severe pain caused by three injured discs in his back.

Kim, 69, was hit with the pain in his right hip and leg the day before Thanksgiving, but didn't seek medical treatment until the day after because he didn't want to disturb anyone during the holiday, he said.

The pain was so intense that he was unable to walk upright. On Friday he was admitted to Hilo Medical Center, where doctors gave him painkillers he described as “;narcotics.”; After MRI scans revealed the three injured discs, he was released Sunday. Doctors disagree about the best solution, he said.

The situation, coming right at a holiday and just days before his term in office was to end and his retirement was to begin, has left him in a bad mood, he said.

This latest medical problem is not related to three prior heart attacks Kim suffered. Over the years he has also suffered hepatitis, meningitis and high fever, and had neck surgery.