Big Island Mayor Harry Kim undergoes outpatient procedure

HILO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - Big Island Mayor Harry Kim on Tuesday morning underwent an outpatient procedure, according to county officials.

Officials said Kim went to the Hilo Medical Center for the procedure involving the insertion of a defibrillator.

"Knowing Harry, he'll be back at work soon," Managing Director Wil Okabe said, in a statement. "We appreciate everybody's good wishes and support."

The county did not release further details about the procedure. However, an implantantable cardioverter defibrillator is a small electronic device to keep track of one's heart rate.

In the past few months, Kim, 78, has been dealing with a series of health problems. Last month, he was hospitalized after suffering a mild heart attack. And prior to that, he underwent a heart procedure after suffering what doctors believe to be two heart attacks.

He has also been diagnosed with walking pneumonia this year.