In Kona’s coffee belt, up to 500 farmers and others have lost their primary sources of water — and will be relying on trips to county spigots for the foreseeable future.

Bills primarily serving Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties often struggle to gain traction, but a major housing bill has promise.

Lawmakers want a hotel built at Hilo’s airport to meet the housing needs of the Merrie Monarch festival while longer-term efforts to revitalize the once-thriving tourist district continue.

Other states impacted by similar disasters are reforming their insurance laws. Legislators here are teeing up bills to follow suit.

The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission has appointed a temporary replacement but filling Todd’s shoes within the State Fire Council presents a bigger challenge.