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 Honolulu's newly elected mayor, Mufi Hannemann.

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).

Jason: With the recent election and the win for rail transit, what specifically is the next step? When is the absolute soonest the project will be done and people can ride? Any chance on speeding it up?

Mayor Mufi Hannemann: I was very happy that a majority of people voted to have us proceed with our rail transit project this past Tuesday.

The current plan is to have the entire 20-mile project completed by 2018, just 10 years from now.

We're hoping to open the first operational section in just four years, 2012.

Nahoaloa: About the airport alternative: The draft EIS points out that there are fewer property acquisitions required than Salt Lake and a higher cost-benefit ratio, undoubtedly because of the number of riders who want to go to and from the airport and Pearl Harbor. But what about transit-oriented development potential? Is it greater along the airport route, or less?

Hannemann: As you know, the airport route was always my first choice. We were unable to get the votes for that route at that time. With the council now wishing to revisit the issue, this will be a good opportunity to hear from both pro-airport and pro-Salt Lake advocates.

As far as transit-oriented development goes, the airport route actually provides more opportunities for transit-oriented development.

Bill in Nanakuli: There is concern that adequate, affordable parking at the rail stations will not be available. Should this be a concern?

Hannemann: At appropriate rail stations, especially at the west end, parking will be provided. At the more urban station, it is anticipated that riders will be able to walk, bike and transfer from feeder buses. So it shouldn't be a major concern.

Roger: What is your take on City Councilman Charles Djou's rail realignment back to the airport, won't this save money due to length and property acquisitions?

Hannemann: I'm pleased that Councilman Djou is heeding my election night call for those who've been opposing rail to work with us. I hope that Gov. Lingle, Panos Prevedouros, Cliff Slater and others will do likewise. Let's remember the lesson of H-3. It was mired in controversy and lawsuits for far too long that it delayed the project and almost doubled the cost of building it. Today, you don't hear anyone complaining about H-3.

Dinah: Are the anti-rail folks planning to mount another challenge, legal or otherwise. I did not vote for rail, but I agree that voters have spoken, I say let's move forward and get the job done right.

Hannemann: The anti rail folks have been saying, "Let the People Decide." And you're right, Dinah, the people voted in the affirmative for rail. We need to come together as a community to resolve the biggest impediment to our quality of life — the sooner the better.

Meheroo Jussawalla: Sincere congratulations on your victory as well as to your wife, Gail, whose support was a special tribute to you. While you will be busy finding funds for the rail transit will you also consider some help to senior citizens in finding funds for payment of property taxes in these very hard times of shrinking pensions and inflation? Please give some reprieve to seniors who have owned their properties for 15 years and more.

Hannemann: I've always held a special place in my heart for our island's kupuna. One of my father's most prized possessions was his senior citizen bus pass.

I've enacted two ordinances that favorably impact seniors and their real property taxes. The first is that home exemptions for people age 75 and older is $140,000; 85 and older is $180,000. A taxpayer need apply only once every 5 years for exemptions instead of annually.

John: Now that you have been re-elected for another term, what are your top four priorities as mayor for the next four years?

Hannemann: With our success at the polls on Tuesday, the voters are validating our record of accomplishment, which I was very proud to run on. We will continue to prioritize fiscal accountability, always tempered with compassion for our seniors, low income and the disadvantaged.

We will continue our focus on basic city services, infrastructure and public safety. And we will continue emphasizing quality of life issues such as integrated multi-modal transportation solutions and promoting our 21st Century Ahupua'a environmental initiatives.

Finally, there will be a stronger focus on the economy. Given my experiences as a former director of DBEDT and private sector executive, we've had some excellent results during our first term on creating or saving jobs, such as Disney Resorts, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Trump Tower, employment help for Aloha Airline employees. And in this second term, you can expect our Job Focus Honolulu program will bring in more results, because this is when we need it most. I will leverage my chairmanship of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Tourism and Arts Committee to insure that Hawai'i remains at the forefront of our national agenda. I'm excited about the opportunity to work with President-elect Obama and our strong congressional delegation.

Mongo: With your friend (Barack) Obama in the White House, can we get more infrastructure money from the feds? They are already talking about another economic stimulus package based on funding infrastructure.

Hannemann: This 'Iolani alum supported the Punahou alum now president-elect for two main reasons. One, his strong affinity for Hawai'i gives us a sensitive advocate in the White House. Two, it was clear when I helped to bring him before the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Miami to address us, he has a clear vision and objectives to help cities throughout America. Infrastructure and mass transit are going to be definite priorities of an Obama administration. And with the combination of a strong congressional delegation led by Sen. (Daniel) Inouye, I'm very optimistic we'll get what we need.

TT: Why doesn't Gov. Linda Lingle support the rail project now? She used to be the one saying we needed it. I don't understand why she would say she voted against it now.

Hannemann: I'm glad you remember that Gov. Lingle tried in 2003 to initiate raising the local tax to fund a rail transit system and then backed off. Then in 2005, she suggested working with me in her State of the State address to identify a mass-transit solution for O'ahu. So I went to work with the Legislature, the congressional delegation and the City Council to move forward.

Now that the people have spoken in favor of rail, I trust that she will do everything to work with the city to make this happen. For as I've always said, the longer we delay, the more we're going to pay.

Tina: Could you please tell us two or three things about yourself that the general public might not know.

Hannemann: Here's a few things: I've visited every Disney attraction in the world. My wife, Gail, and I each drive hybrids. I'm known as Mufi, but my first name is actually Muliufi, named after my great grandfather who was one of the chiefs that was one of the signatories of the deed of cession that created the territory of American Samoa.

Reach Jeanne Mariani-Belding at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com.