HILO, Hawaii – Wednesday’s meeting was held to gather public input, and hospital officials got what they asked for from former mayor Harry Kim.

Since his days political office, Kim has focused his efforts on Hawaii Island’s challenged health care landscape. Now that the East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua) announced they are trying to close a projected $7 million deficit by laying off 87 people and cutting services, Kim is raising his voice.

This community must know that once we start on this road of cutting to meet the amount of money we have, next year will be worse. There is nothing in the picture that shows your revenue will increase. Harry Kim