(BIVN) – Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim has been selected for a prestigious Homeland Heroes award from the Virginia-based Government Technology & Services Coalition, for his ongoing efforts to keep the people of the Big Island safe.

The County shared this media release:

Hawai’i County Mayor Harry Kim has been selected for a prestigious Homeland Heroes award for his ongoing efforts to keep the people of Hawai‘i County safe.

The award from Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) based in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday named Kim a Mission Awardee for 2018.

“Mission awardees are selected for their tangible achievements toward achieving their responsibilities and the overall mission of their office,” a press release on the association’s Homeland Security Today.US website said. “These are the folks who are actually getting it done.”

The press release cited Kim for his leadership during the Lower East Rift Zone eruption in Puna, noting that the Mayor continued to work throughout the eruption and other emergencies “while struggling through mild heart attacks and pneumonia.”

The press release said that 24 recipients, chosen for their roles in forwarding the homeland security mission behind the scene, would be honored at the GTSC’s annual event on December 11 in Arlington. Due to other commitments, the Mayor will be unable to attend.

During a November 28 interview, Mayor Kim reflected on the 2018 eruption disaster that has shaped his third term in office.

You will be able to hear the entire interview on the Island Issues radio program on Sunday, December 9, at 6:30 a.m. KKOA 107.7 fm, and 8 a.m. at LAVA 105.3 fm and then be posted online.