2018 Primary Election Candidates

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SMART, Mary
Name on ballot:

SMART, Mary

Running for:

State House

District (if applicable):

37

Political party:

Republican

Campaign website:

www.VoteSmartHawaii.com

Current occupation:

Real Estate Agent

Age:

70

Previous job history:

US Navy Captain (ret)

Previous elected office, if any:

Neighborhood Board #25

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

My husband Scott and I have owned our home in Mililani since 1982. Mainland assignments took us away for ten years but we returned to Hawaii for my final two tours of duty. I retired in 2002 and became a licensed Real Estate Agent in 2003. I understand the difficulties involved with earning a living and purchasing a home in this high cost area. I serve on the local neighborhood board to address my neighbor’s concerns. I understand the sacrifices people make to care for kupuna but also acknowledge the many blessings received after caring for my father in my home during the last twelve years of his life. Having medical and transportation services available to meet the needs of our aging population is important to our residents. While in the Navy I had very demanding positions. For example, I was Commanding Officer of Naval Communications Unit Washington, located in Cheltenham, MD. As base commander I had housing, a convenience store, a fire department, financial/contracting, security, a club, hunting, an armory, a gym and bowling alley, etc. as well as tenant commands that had to be supported. In addition, I was responsible for subordinate units located in Great Lakes, IL, Newport, RI, Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY, and several units in the Washington DC that that provided communications to the most senior staffs in the nation’s capital. I am comfortable making critical decisions in a dynamic atmosphere. My educational background includes a BS in Computer Science, an Electrical Engineering MS, and Advanced Management programs at DoD schools and Harvard Business School. Hawaii needs experienced project managers to keep our construction and maintenance projects on-time and within budget.

What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?

1. High Cost of living

2. Transportation Congestion and Mobility Impediments

3. Shortages of teachers, doctors and low-cost housing

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

Provide innovative, high quality solutions to the most critical needs at the least cost to our community.

If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?

If I focus on resolving the top three issues I identified above, my constituents would have more money in their wallets and bank accounts, more time to spend with family rather than in traffic, and the best educated children, the best medical care, and the opportunity to attain the American dream of home ownership.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?


The military transfers personnel every two to three years to bring fresh ideas and new energy to an organization. Hawaii is ranked at the bottom of many categories related to quality of life including cost of living, traffic mobility and education. One reason for our low scores is that we keep putting the same people back in the legislature every two years. My work experience taught me to be a quick learner, set goals and to persevere to attain each objective as quickly as possible. I have volunteered in the community as a President and now Vice-President of a local non-profit and currently lead two ministries in my Church. Besides serving on neighborhood board #25, I am on Mililani Cluster 35 Board of Directors.

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