Mayor Harry Kim

Kim, 64, said he told his family of his decision to run for re-election during the weekend, and announced his decision to his Cabinet Tuesday.

"There was a lot of family discussion because, obviously, I had to feel that it was OK with them," Kim said. "I had to feel that I had the energies to do it, and secondly you had to feel that in general you had some public support. If either one of them was a negative, I would not have run."

Before he entered politics, Kim was well known on the Big Island from his 24 years as head of the county civil defense agency.

He took office at a time when property values were increasing after years of weakness in the real estate and construction industries. Although Big Island businesses were jolted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the economy improved significantly during Kim's tenure.

Perhaps Kim's best-known action as mayor was his declaration of war on the drug crystal methamphetamine early in his administration.