Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth is “on the mend” and in a selfie spirit at Hilo Medical Center, where he will remain for the weekend, his office said in a statement Friday.
Following Roth’s second evaluation, doctors have found the 56-year-old to be improving substantially and will continue monitoring his progress, the release said.
After suffering from a heart attack last weekend in Kona, the mayor was transported to North Hawaii Community Hospital and later to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated and a stent implanted.
“It’s been a tough week, but I feel like I’m on the mend,” Roth said. “The outpouring of aloha and prayer from our community has been heard and felt — deeply. I’m not out of the woods yet, but the doctors say that I’m improving every day. I can’t thank my excellent staff enough for holding down the fort and stepping up to continue serving the people of Hawaii County in my absence.”
Lee Lord, the county managing director, is acting mayor while Roth is in the hospital.
Roth, who’s been in office since Dec. 7, is not the first county mayor to have a heart attack in office.
Former Mayor Harry Kim, Roth’s immediate predecessor, had six heart attacks during his 12 years in office.