Each week Editorial and Opinion Editor Jeanne Mariani-Belding hosts The Hot Seat, our opinion-page blog that brings in elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.

On The Hot Seat last week was Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares.

Here is an excerpt from that Hot Seat session. To see the full conversation, go to The Hot Seat blog at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/opinion and click on "The Hot Seat." (Names of questioners are screen names given during our online chat.)

Rachel: What is Maui County doing to keep homes affordable for local people? With all the Mainland money coming into Maui, our own kids are being forced out. This is exactly what happened to O'ahu, and look at the brain drain of our best and brightest keiki moving to the Mainland because they can't afford to stay home. How many people now living on Maui are actually born in Hawai'i?

Mayor Charmaine Tavares: We have recently passed a Workforce Housing Policy that requires 40 to 50 percent of new homes being built to be in the affordable range from up to 160 percent of HUD's median income. The affordability is spread among the various ranges from 30 percent of median income to 160 percent. We, too, in Maui County are very concerned about our young people being forced to seek lives outside of our islands due to the high cost of housing. For Maui County, it's estimated that 53 percent of our current residents were born in Hawai'i.

Kalama: Maui needs jobs that pay better so we can afford to live here. What are your plans to get those jobs here, please?

Tavares: We're continuing to support our Maui Research & Technology Park that specializes in high-tech startup businesses. We have also recently convened working groups from our Energy Expo held last November. These working groups are focused on renewable energy technologies that will work in Maui County. One of the five working groups is focused on the creation of jobs within the energy technology fields, as well as education and training programs to prepare a workforce to serve renewable energy technologies. Renewable energy technologies will produce a wide range of jobs, including at the high end, scientific and technological positions.

Tina: The temporary closing of Aloha Cargo was very unsettling. Because of our state's unique island geography, getting supplies and mail to the Neighbor Islands is imperative. If we rely on just one mode of transportation, we are setting ourselves up for catastrophe. Does Maui have a contingency plan in case of a disaster or in case another cargo line goes belly up?

Tavares: The recent closure of Aloha Airlines' cargo operations demonstrated in a painful way how vulnerable we are as islands. This has been a wake-up call for all of us to be concerned about our ability to survive without air and sea transportation of goods. We were fortunate that many folks in our community, including private businesses and public agencies, offered assistance to move cargo in and out of Maui.

We're thankful that the governor called the mayors from all counties immediately after the announcement to assess the impacts and options available on each of our islands. Through these assessments and identification of options, contingency plans are being formulated and we will be much better prepared should this occur again.

Rosemarie: Why is Maui taking so long to allocate and install water meters in Kula? I have been stuck in the same position on the meter list for more than four years. I understand that someone received 200 meters this February, but that this block of meters counts as only one meter!

My family and I have lived in Kula for generations, yet we cannot get water meters. Apparently land developers can obtain meters for the asking. I am still at the same position I was four years ago. Please take action to see that water meters are distributed quickly and equitably in Kula.

Tavares: As a resident of Kula, I fully understand your frustration. The list that you refer to is not based on the number of meters; it is based on an individual application for water service that may contain one or more meters. The problem in Upcountry is the lack of water. To address this long-standing concern, my administration has included in our budget request $3.75 million for the purpose of building 300 million gallons of reservoir capacity in the Pi'iholo area. The state Legislature has appropriated $3.75 million in matching funds; in turn, we have approached our Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to support our efforts to increase water storage capacity Upcountry. Other sources of water are also being considered.

Nahoaloha: How do you think Maui is responding to the Superferry? Are there any particular concerns you and your staff are monitoring?

Tavares: We are still monitoring the Superferry's obligations to finish an EIS and a final traffic impact study. As you may know, our community was divided last year over this issue, and while some residents have remained cautious, others have made use of the Superferry's services.

In light of the recent dilemmas with air cargo and the closing of Aloha Airlines and ATA, this became an alternative mode of transportation for many who may have hesitated in the beginning. We have been encouraged by the company's and DOT's commitment to complete the EIS, remain sensitive to the public's concerns, and maintain an open line of communication with my office.

Mitchell: Please tell us what's up with all the problems in Moloka'i? I keep hearing that a few vocal opponents are holding the community hostage and that most of the community wanted the proposed development. Is anyone looking out for the jobs and the economic things Moloka'i people really need?

Tavares: There are many challenges on Moloka'i, with the closing of Molokai Ranch and Aloha Airlines. There are organizations on Moloka'i, such as the Molokai Enterprise Community, the Molokai Chamber of Commerce, our County of Maui's Office of Economic Development (Kuhao Business Center) and others, that are working diligently to reach out to those who have been affected. Moloka'i has a rich history and an independent nature that encourages community participation on a range of issues. The process of dialogue and discussion is an important part of preserving the unique character of Moloka'i and its people. It is my hope that Moloka'i can come together and decide what economic base they will support.

Lisa: What are you doing to curb development?

Tavares: You ask a very difficult question, and I may not be able to provide an in-depth response in the limited time and space of this format. However, I can say that we must balance growth in such a way that our resources are protected and our natural beauty preserved. To this end, the Maui County General Plan is under way, with a specific emphasis on a new Maui Island Plan that will designate urban growth boundaries. This plan is available on our Web site at www.mauicounty.gov should you desire further information. All development requests must go through a process that involves the community at many points.

Jo: Maui is a beautiful island. What is currently being done to protects its fragile environment? Are you working closely with any environmental groups?

Tavares: I agree that Maui is a beautiful and special place. My Environmental Coordinator, Kuhea Paracuelles, is very active and successful in working with many groups whose concern is the environment. We partner with state and federal agencies, as well as nonprofits and private businesses to protect our natural resources. And 2008 is the International Year of the Reef. Look for numerous events scheduled throughout the state.

Ladyluck: What's the property tax situation like in Maui? Are people getting priced out of their homes?

Tavares: Maui has the lowest property tax rate in the state for homeowners with a $300,000 homeowner's exemption, which is the highest in the state. That means the first $300,000 is not even taxed. There is also a "circuit-breaker" program that limits the amount of real property tax a person pays, based on their adjusted gross income. These provisions protect our homeowners.