Without a doubt, Hawai'i will be taking on some significant changes in the coming decade. Like communities across the country, we struggle with similar problems such as managing growth (and all the challenges that come along with it), improving our schools and protecting our fragile environment.

And the best solutions come from community conversations and healthy inquisition. So it's encouraging to see the community response to The Advertiser's live blog chats. Our newest addition, The Hot Seat, pulls in elected leaders and decision makers and lets you ask the questions. Our inaugural run on Wednesday featured Mayor Mufi Hannemann discussing the city's proposed rail transit system. The mayor answered questions that were important to you, and that's no small matter.

Among them: "Do we need it? Can we afford it? And can we maintain it?"

To be sure, Mayor Hannemann earned his stripes. As one poster put it: "Thanks Mufi for being on the 'Seat of Heat!' It took guts. Mahalo nui loa."

We couldn't agree more.

But you, our readers, deserve the credit for taking the time to weigh in on some key issues facing Hawai'i, and for becoming part of the solution.

We hope you'll join us again Monday at noon, for the next community conversation.