Hawaii Island's Kaʻū district is getting food help after Hurricane Lala, a bright spot in an otherwise rough recovery.

• Punaluʻu Bake Shop, buried in mud and debris with walls and windows wrecked, is giving away its last 16 pallets of sweet bread to neighbors in need.
• The state Department of Education is handing out free shelf-stable meal boxes weekly at three Kaʻū sites, aiming for 4,500 meals a week.
• Each box holds five breakfasts and five lunches, free for kids 18 and under, who must come along to pick them up.
• Tropical Depression Mo has weakened and is moving away west, but heavy rain and flash flooding are still a risk on Hawaii Island, especially in Kona.
• Hurricane season runs through November 30, so more storm threats are possible while Kaʻū is still rebuilding.

Outlook: Meal distribution continues weekly until further notice, and unsettled weather should ease as normal trade winds return later in the week.