FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 WESTHAWAIITODAY.COM Kim to run againFormer mayor vows to KAILUA-KONA — A blaze that threatened homes in the Komohana Kai subdivision off Lako Street continued to flare up on Thursday leaving firefighters battling the fire for a second straight day. One flare up came close to the Lutheran Church, which juts out from the lines of homes into the brushy area feeding the flames, but was knocked down by early afternoon. The church is serving as the command post for the efforts, which has included water tankers, helicopters and bulldozers. The fire is fully contained, said Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros, and his crews will be monitoring and working throughout the night to flatten any new flare-ups. Firefighters also had to quell a second fire on the south side of Kaiminani Drive, near the volunteer fire station. It was contained to about 100 square feet, with an ignition point about 35 feet from the road. Medeiros said both fires are being treated as suspicious and an investigator was on scene. On Wednesday, 25-acres burned near the Komohana Kai subdivision in Kailua- Kona. In February, more than 1,100 acres burned in South Kohala and North Kona, when eight fires broke out in eight days, which are being investigated as possible arson. GET IN & GET OUT INSIDE WHEN YOU’RE READY TO MOVE, CALL McCOURT! Real Property Solutions for Kona Buyers and SellersSM restore trust in government Kim Kaila Rogers, left, Marissa Rogers and Sophia Weir read to a puppy at the Hawaii Island Humane Society Kona Shelter for the “Tales with Tails” program in conjunction with Read Across America Day on Wednesday, the birthday of Dr. Suess. 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Kim said Thursday he’s decided to run again, this time on a campaign to restore trust in government. “This is something we have to do because it’s right,” Kim said. “The way people feel about the government is not good for any of us. … Trust is something you work for every single day, like any relationship, you work every day to earn the public’s trust.” Kim, 76, was mayor from 2000 to 2008, and worked in county Civil Defense for 24 years before that. He lost to Mayor Billy Kenoi in 2012 by a 1,438-vote margin — earning 49 percent of the vote compared to Kenoi’s 51 percent. Kim jumped into the race on the last day of qualifying last time, and he had vowed to decide earlier this time. Kim is entering a crowded race. Former Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann, 74, was the first to announce his candidacy and has been busy attending talk sessions and running ads since September. “I’m not surprised that Mr. Kim has decided to run for mayor,” Hoffmann said. “He and I had several conversations over the past six months or so. I did ask Harry to join me in a partnership. It would have been a very strong partnership.” Hoffmann said he welcomes Kim’s entry into the race. “I’m pleased to know that we will have much fuller discussion of the issues by all the candidates,” he said. Hoffmann was followed into the race by videographer Wendell Kaehuaea, 73, who’s run unsuccessfully for public office 21 times, including three times for mayor. Kaehuaea quipped that the ballot, being alphabetical, will have his name before Kim’s. “Nobody’s going to pass my name,” he said. “They’ll stop there.” On a more serious note, Kaehuaea also welcomed Kim’s entry into the race. “It’s the more the merrier. Everybody’s got their own talents,” he said. “I’m just running on what I have and what I’m going to offer.” Former County Managing Director Wally Lau, 67, announced his candidacy in late January. “I wish him the very best,” Lau said, adding he won’t be changing his campaign strategy. “My game plan is still my game plan.” Shannon McCandless BY NANCY COOK LAUER WEST HAWAII TODAY ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com Managing director confirmed Bail denied for alleged child sex trafficker HILO — Festooned with lei and applauded by a full room of staff and well-wishers, Randy Kurohara was confirmed Wednesday by a unanimous County Council vote as the county’s new managing director. Kurohara, 53, replaces Wally Lau, who in late January stepped down as managing director in order to run for mayor. Kurohara had been deputy managing KAILUA-KONA — The man charged by the federal government with sex trafficking a 15-yearold girl and producing pornography of her and her 2-year-old daughter is now being held without bond by the U.S. Marshals Service. Michael Patrakis, 43, Kailua-Kona, is charged with sex trafficking of a child and 27 counts of production of child pornography. During a hearing Tuesday the government asked that he be held without bond. BY NANCY COOK LAUER WEST HAWAII TODAY ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com BY GRAHAM MILLDRUM WEST HAWAII TODAY gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com More flare-ups BY GRAHAM MILLDRUM WEST HAWAII TODAY gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com SEE KIM PAGE 6A SEE COUNCIL PAGE 6A SEE TRAFFIKER PAGE 6A A Hawaii County firefighter sprays a brushfire on the south side of Kaiminani Drive on Thursday. LAURA SHIMABUKU/WEST HAWAII TODAY Patrakis Firefighters continue to douse Komohana Kai fire Thursday Kurohara ROVER THE READER
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