Starting Wednesday, eight of our best reporters, armed with MacBook Pros, Verizon Wireless cards, HawaiianTel cell phones and old-fashioned notebooks, will fan out throughout O'ahu to bring you more local news than ever.

The fruits of their labor will appear immediately and most notably in our revamped Page 3 in the Hawai'i section starting on Thursday called "My Communities" and include news from every area of the island and from Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island Monday through Friday. Their stories will also run on our community Web sites, on Page One and elsewhere online and in print.

We have long maintained a regional reporting team but never before devoted so many resources to covering community news. This has been our goal for several years, and we've had various prototypes in the planning stages but have never moved forward.

We've finally chosen a squad of veterans who live and work in the communities they will write about. They are eager to hear your stories and cover the news you consider important. And they won't be sitting in an office waiting for phone calls. Their offices might be the local coffee shop or at the beach or in their cars. Some call them "mojos" or mobile journalists. We're not big into nicknames, but we do know they'll be out and about your neighborhoods looking for news.

Here's the formal introduction, in alphabetical order:

Eloise Aguiar is a longtime veteran of community reporting, having covered news from Hawai'i Kai, Windward and the North Shore for 20 years. She joined us in 2000 and is pretty much a Windward institution because of her contacts. She and colleague Mike Leidemann will share a coverage area from the North Shore to Waimanalo. Aguiar has lived in Kane'ohe but is moving to Kahalu'u. Her philosophy on community news is that it "gives reporters a chance to explore all aspects of life that people care about in their neighborhoods."

Lynda Arakawa was a successful summer intern whom we hired in 1997 and has covered courts, state government and tourism. She will share Central O'ahu coverage with Gordon Y.K. Pang and will focus on Salt Lake, 'Aiea, Pearl City, Mililani and Wahiawa. Arakawa grew up in Pearl City and now lives in Salt Lake.

"There are lots of important stories quietly tucked away in our communities that need to be told," she said. "Hopefully the stories we write will help bring solutions to issues in the area and spotlight the great things that everyday people do in their neighborhoods."

Will Hoover, hired in 1986, will continue his marvelous coverage of the Wai'anae Coast. Hoover is one of the most versatile reporters I know, and his work bringing to light the plight of the homeless has been well-received. Hoover lives in Ko Olina.

"Having covered this area for several years already, I'm familiar with the terrain and the folks who live in this often neglected community," Hoover said. "Now, with the region being the focus of much political attention, the Wai'anae Coast becomes one of the most exciting and important stories in the state."

Leidemann, who will share North Shore/Windward duties with Aguiar, has worked at The Advertiser since 1984, the last five as transportation writer. He previously served as copy editor, page designer, feature writer and Home Section editor. Leidemann, who lives in Kailua, is a nimble journalist who can handle any type of assignment with flair and poise. He's excited about using his talents to tell stories in this fast-growing area.

Pang has spent the past 20 years as a newspaper reporter in Hawai'i, the last five at The Advertiser. Raised in Palolo Valley, he lives in 'Ewa Beach. He and Arakawa will cover Central O'ahu. Pang's focus will be on Kapolei, 'Ewa and Waipahu, including Kunia, Waikele and Waipi'o. He will also continue to cover Hawaiian affairs.

"Changes have been coming rapidly in the region, and many more are on the way," he said. "I'm looking forward to documenting those changes and what they mean to the people who live, work and play there."

Suzanne Roig has worked at The Advertiser since 1995, covering business, entertainment and, for the past six years, East Honolulu. She will continue to cover Hawai'i Kai and 'Aina Haina. Roig is the consummate community reporter, chatting up sources in the Safeway checkout line as well as neighborhood board meetings.

"Covering news at the community level has provided me with the most rewarding journalism of my career," Roig said. "I've met a wide range of people who truly care about the neighborhoods they live in."

Catherine Toth, who was born and raised on O'ahu and lives in Hawai'i Kai, has been with The Advertiser since 2000. During that time, she has covered everything from college sports to small business to entertainment. Toth, who also writes a popular blog ("The Daily Dish") for honoluluadver tiser.com, will be responsible for an area between Kahala and Waikiki, including Kaimuki, Mo'ili'ili, McCully, Diamond Head and Palolo.

"What drew me to journalism was the chance to write stories that impact the community in which I live," she said. "This is that opportunity."

Mary Vorsino, a resident of Kaimuki, has covered Urban Honolulu for The Advertiser since June 2006. Vorsino has written compassionately about the homeless and others in need, anchoring our series of Christmas Fund stories this past year.

"As a regional reporter, I strive to cover what's affecting people on the ground in my beat area and how it relates to wider trends or policies," she said. "I also believe in highlighting our readers and giving them space to talk about the good and the bad happening in their neighborhoods."

We have listed their photos and cell phones here. They are ready to hear from you, and so am I.