Big Island communities hit hardest by Hurricane Lala are still without basic services, but neighbors and local businesses are filling the gap.

• A restaurant in Naalehu is feeding anyone who walks in, free of charge, with a note of support handed out with every meal.
• Many residents still have no working toilets, running water, or electricity days after the storm.
• A volunteer hub set up by a Hilo resident has put together supply kits and reached about 400 households.
• Nonprofits and outside groups are arriving, but people say the day-to-day help is coming mostly from each other.

Outlook: Recovery in the district will take weeks, and demand for water, power, and sanitation support is expected to stay high.