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Just when we thought we were going to get a bit of a breather from political campaigning, two of the state’s most prominent politicians are already hitting the 2014 campaign trail.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz this week notched up his already announced campaign to hold on to the Senate seat he is filling since the death of longtime Sen. Dan Inouye in December. He is touting union endorsements and serious campaign cash in the hopes of scaring off challengers, namely U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

And on Sunday, Gov. Neil Abercrombie is holding his first official re-election event in Kakaako. He’s also worried that Hanabusa may well decide she’d rather be governor than senator and come after him.

Generally, political campaigns don’t heat up until the summer, even after Fourth of July. But this year the respite has been short as candidates try to solidify support including the financial backing it will take to win a statewide race.

Schatz leaked fundraising totals this week, shortly before the April 15 deadline to file federal campaign finance reports. He says he’s raised more than $1 million.

We’ll be taking a closer look at his contributions and his spending when the report is publicly available. The same goes for Hanabusa and freshman Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who’s also up for reelection in 2014, as well as Sen. Mazie Hirono who’s next campaign isn’t until 2018.

Both Hanabusa and Hirono are getting some campaign help from Inouye. His campaign manager is starting to dole out some of the money left in his campaign treasury when he died.

The Legislature also continued to trudge toward a May 2 wrap. Both chambers passed dozens of bills in two action-packed days this week, including a state budget. Now attention shifts to conference committees for the next two weeks before final floor action.

As always, Civil Beat reporters tracked the issues as they unfolded, whether at the State Capitol, in Washington, D.C., or even the military drama playing out in North Korea. Here are 10 stories you won’t want to have missed.

• Waiting For Colleen

• The Rising East: U.S. Armed Forces Prepare for Eruption of Korean War II

• In The Case Of This Fired Honolulu Cop, The Public Is Still In The Dark

• In Washington, D.C., A Cup of Tea Amid The Din and Memories of Inouye

• Cracking the Code: Are Hawaii Schools Doing Enough for Dyslexic Students?

• Who Or What Is A Journalist These Days?

• Honolulu Rail CEO Explains Why He Deserves a $35,000 Bonus

• Hawaii Monitor: Frivolous Claim Over Sovereignty Snags Homeowner

• Hundreds Rally For Immigration Reform That Reunites Families

• Hawaii Monitor: Frivolous Claim Over Sovereignty Snags Homeowner