HILO — Mayor Billy Kenoi, members of the Hawaii County Council and the prosecuting attorney were sworn in today in Hilo.

Kenoi's inauguration brought to an end more than 30 years of public service for now-former Mayor Harry Kim, who served in the island's top post for eight years and civil defense chief for 24 years before that.

In his inaugural remarks, Kenoi said he wanted to open lines of communication between all the rural communities of the Big Island and its county government.

"I don't intend to govern from one office in Hilo," he said.

With all economic indicators pointing to declining revenues and a slow recovery, Kenoi said a hiring freeze on county government and beefing up a bus transit system will be priorities, as well as working closely with state lawmakers to maximize the positive impact of available resources.

Hilo Councilman J. Yoshimoto also said his role as council chairman is to ensure government efficiency and find ways to do more with less.

Yoshimoto is joined by five other returning councilmembers: Emily Naole of Puna, Brenda Ford of Kona, Pete Hoffmann of Kohala, Dominic Yagong of Hamakua and Donald Ikeda of Hilo.

The council welcomed three new members: Dennis Onishi of Hilo, Guy Enriques of Kau and Kelly Greenwell of Kona.

Along with the start of new terms for three council members and a mayor, today marked the first day of a new career for three print journalists who have more than 60 years combined experience covering Big Island events.

Kenoi appointed Bobby Command of West Hawaii Today to be West Hawaii executive assistant. Former Honolulu Advertiser reporter Kevin Dayton takes a similar post for the Hilo side. And Hunter Bishop, a Hawaii Tribune-Herald reporter of 17 years, will serve as Kenoi's public information officer.