Do I have a kernel problem?

Since updating to Lion, I've noticed in activity monitor that kernel use is huge. It's real memory is usually around 700 MB even when I dont have many applications open. That said, the computer doesnt seem to be running slower, and it's CPU% is always in the 1-3% range. Is this something I want to investigate further?

With an MBP13 I get about 300MB for the kernel after a restart, building to 400MB after my light use with a web browser, itunes, pixelmator, HD movies.

How is it after a reboot, are you doing processor intensive work?

I usually am not running anything too intensive, although perhaps running Chrome and Firefox at the same time might qualify as very intensive.

This never happened with Snow Leopard. I just wonder if this is a Lion thing