Last week, it was standing-room only at The Hardware Store Restaurant’s art gallery, where three panelists — and many islanders — joined in a discussion about the region’s rapid growth.

Organizers of the event, a fundraiser for the high school journalism and year book programs, hoped to take on the thorny issue while being a model of civil discourse. That goal was achieved. No one yelled, called a neighbor a vile name or stormed off to the bar for a stiff drink.

Before the event, Mary Bruno, the night’s moderator, said she hoped the evening would answer a question: What are the values of the island community, and how do we put them into action rather than pay lip service to them? There is a ways to go to reach that goal.

Of course, answering those questions was a tall order for a group of people in just one night, But they are vitally important and need to be addressed. We hope in the weeks and months ahead, islanders — those who were there and those who weren’t — will pick up that conversation and continue it.

Some of what Bruno and panelists Emma Amiad, Greg Rabourn and Knute Berger shared that night was sobering and pointed to, for many, increased challenges ahead.

• Between July 2015 and July 2016, compared to other counties, King County had the fourth largest increase in population.

• To buy or rent in Seattle, people have to pay 80 percent more than the national average for housing.

• Vashon’s housing costs are higher than those in Miami, Chicago and Tucson; Vashon is nearly as expensive as Boston.

• Another 2 million people are expected in Central Puget Sound by 2050.

• Vashon, as the closest rural area to downtown Seattle, will feel increased pressure from people who want to live here.

How will we navigate this on the island?

The beginnings of some potential answers surfaced at last week’s discussion. Berger, a veteran journalist, recently interviewed the mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia. The mayor said if he could go back in time, he would use all the tools available to him simultaneously to keep his city affordable for people at a variety of income levels. And Amiad suggested taking action, speaking with our elected officials and insisting on help to remain a home to farmers, baristas, teachers, seniors who have lived here for decades and many others.

Berger characterized talking about growth as being as difficult as talking about race — and just as important.

The stakes are high here on Vashon, as businesses increasingly have a hard time finding staff who live here, where buying a home is increasingly out of reach for many and renters frequently face losing their homes, only to have another out of reach.

So, let’s talk, Vashon. Let’s try to answer the question: What are our values and how do we put them into action? We welcome your thoughts.