Community planner Chris Hart dies

Landscape architect and planner Chris Hart, who made an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2010 and formerly headed two Maui County departments, died early Monday. He was 71.

Hart, a Wailuku resident, had gone to Oahu to undergo preventative surgery to his aorta at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center and Clinic, but he subsequently suffered several strokes that led to his death, according to Jordan Hart, the youngest of his four sons.

Jordan Hart said his father's passing was "definitely not expected" by family members.

Funeral arrangements were pending Monday.

"He was a very kind and generous and thoughtful person," Jordan Hart said.

Hart is survived by his wife, Maria. His other three sons are Matthew, Jon and Andrew. He also leaves four grandchildren.

Maria Hart said she married her husband about a year and a half ago.

"I always call him 'my heart,'" she said. "He's very sweet. He's a very caring man."

Hart's younger sister, Connie Hart of Florida, said that the family was not prepared for his death.

"Chris was a truly great man," she said. "He was a friend to everyone. He was an inspiration, but more importantly he was a father that loved his children.

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Community planner Chris Hart dies