HILO, Hawaii (AP) - Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim has been diagnosed with walking pneumonia.
Managing Director Wil Okabe said Tuesday that Kim is still working, taking antibiotics and remains in charge.
“The mayor is very much in charge, but he’s pacing himself to ensure the county is running smoothly,” Okabe said. “The mayor is very much engaged in the day-to-day affairs of the county, and is being kept updated during the current eruption event.”
Okabe said that Kim is awaiting the results of medical tests. The 78-year-old had at least one, possibly two heart attacks in late April. He drove himself to the hospital before being flown to Oahu.
He underwent a heart procedure in Honolulu, where doctors told him he had a heart attack in Hilo, and possibly a second there.
It was his fourth and possibly fifth such attack. He had a triple bypass 10 years ago.
Okabe said Kim expressed confidence in the work of his department heads and their staff, who are working to keep the community safe. The Kilauea lava outbreak began on May 3, prompting an emergency declaration for the county.
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