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Kim assumed leadership of the nascent Hawaiʻi marine program in 2002 and steered it to become a highly sought-after partner in marine conservation. As Hawaiʻi Marine Program Director, Kim pursued innovative partnerships, including the first community-based ahupua‘a (ridge-to-reef) project on Oʻahu and a $3.4 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act “Stimulus” project to create jobs while restoring important reef habitat. Grounded in science, the program conducts statewide monitoring and cooperative research in coordination with state, federal, academic, and community partners, and has helped more than a dozen partners develop and implement Conservation Action Plans to guide management and secure protection for important marine habitat, including establishment of Hawaiʻi’s first community-led managed area on Hawaiʻi Island. (Interviewed by Manuel Mejia, August 2016.)