"I've been going throughout the island and talking to people, and I think the voters of the Big Island are tolerant but unforgiving," Yagong said. "If you are perceived that you have crossed the line, even a man like Harry Kim is vulnerable."

Kim, who enjoys vast name recognition as the incumbent mayor and from his 24 years as the head of the county's Civil Defense agency, said he will leave it to the voters to judge whether he is "vulnerable."

Yagong

"Your record of four years should be your campaign," Kim said. "If I had to spend a lot of money convincing people I did a good job, then I don't think I did a good job, because the record should speak" for itself.

Yagong, of Honoka'a, is a Democrat, although the Big Island mayoral contest is now a nonpartisan race. Kim ran as a Republican in 2000, but said he no longer considers himself a Republican. Instead, he considers himself nonpartisan.

Also in the race are Kelly Greenwell, a Kailua, Kona, nursery owner and landscape contractor; Roger Christie, a Hilo resident and "cannabis sacrament minister"; and Joseph Fernandez, 49, of Pahoa.

Kim, 64, said he is seeking a second term to complete a number of projects, including his efforts to solve the Big Island's trash problem as a deadline approaches that will force the county to close the Hilo landfill.

He said he also wants to continue the years-long process of drafting and winning approval of amendments to the county general plan, and to continue his administration's property tax review. He said he also intends to press ahead with plans to catch up on repair and upkeep of county facilities.

Relief for residents from what Kim called "the housing crisis" is another priority.

Kim said he has no regrets about increasing the minimum property tax from $25 to $100, and increasing property tax rates by nearly 25 percent in 2002. Increasing the minimum tax was the fair thing to do, and increasing the rates "just had to be done," he said.

"It's common knowledge that we had a choice at that time," Kim said. "Do we cut services more or do we face the unpleasantry of raising taxes? And I truly felt we could not cut services anymore without jeopardizing our responsibilities to the public."

The tax increase was the first for the Big Island in more than 30 years.

Kona residents have been obviously angry about the region's traffic problems, but Kim said he does not believe Kona voters have turned against him.

"It's so easy to understand the disenchantment, even anger at times as far as government's failure to plan adequately, government's failure to keep up with infrastructure," he said.

Kim said his administration has tried to explain to the public what will be done about the traffic problem and when, "and I think this message is beginning to be understood."

Yagong served three two-year terms on the County Council, from 1996 to 2002, when he stepped down to pursue his business career. He is now manager of the Whaler's General Store in Waikoloa and the Waikoloa Beach Shell gas station.

Yagong said he believes government should operate more like a business, adding: "Personally, I like Harry, but his propensity to raise taxes as a way to solve our problems doesn't sit well with the people."

Greenwell said he will not campaign, and instead plans to use the mayor's race to prompt discussion about the drug problem, energy self-sufficiency and other issues.

Christie said the biggest problem on the Big island is the marijuana eradication program, which he said he would abolish if he is elected.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.