Keiko Bonk of the Green Party by a slimmer than expected margin of 3,148 votes. Yamashiro came into office facing major economic challenges for the Big Island of Hawaii. The island's once thriving sugar industry had declined, causing the loss of agricultural jobs. The last major sugarcane plantation closed on the island closed during the 1990s. Yamashiro, a strong proponent of development, pushed for the rapid development of resorts and other tourism infrastructure in South Kohala and North Kona to replace jobs lost in the sugar industry. Yamshiro is credited with introducing the 100% Kona coffee emblem and logo now widely used by Kona Coffee producers on the Big Island. He expanded the tourism industry between Japan and the Big Island of Hawaii. Yamashiro spearheaded efforts to recruit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to open an office and international service at Kona International Airport. He also successfully lobbied for nonstop, international flights between Kona and Narita International Airport by Japan Airlines. He also considered an advocate for the Big Island of Hawaii's agricultural industry, the University of Hawaii and the island's film industry. In 2000, Yamashiro could not seek re-election due to term limits. He was succeeded by Harry Kim in December 2000. Yamashiro left Hawaii County with a budget surplus. Post-Mayoral career Republican Governor Linda Lingle appointed Yamashiro to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Lingle later reappointed Yamashiro to a second, four-year term on the tourism authority. He served as the chairman of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's budget committee. Additionally, the Western United Life Assurance Company hired him as project manager to promote its planned residential development in Hilo. Yamashiro died from pneumonia at Hilo Medical Center in Hilo, Hawaii, on May 24, 2011, aged 69. He was survived by his wife, Della E. Allison. References 1941 births 2011 deaths Mayors of Hawaii County Hawaii County Council members Asian-American city council members Hawaii Democrats Punahou School alumni University of Hawaiʻi alumni Willamette University College of Law alumni People from Honolulu Hawaii politicians of Japanese descent Deaths from pneumonia in Hawaii Hawaii people of Okinawan descent American mayors of Japanese descent American politicians of Japanese descent American politicians of Ryukyuan descent