Well, a light novel is a Japanese - originated literary work. It's different from traditional novels in some ways. For one, the length might be shorter compared to a full - fledged novel. The illustrations play an important role as they enhance the reading experience. Also, light novels are very much in tune with the trends in youth culture. They can quickly adapt to new concepts like isekai (a different world) in the case of fantasy - themed light novels, which has become extremely popular in recent years. And as mentioned before, they are a great source for anime and manga creation, as the stories are often rich in imagination and character development.
It's hard to say for sure. Sometimes it's difficult to keep track of whether it's on hiatus or not. You could look for announcements from the creators or in relevant comic forums.
The One Piece manga has gone on hiatus in the past. This could be for various reasons like ensuring the quality of the story or taking a break to recharge creativity.
Hard to say. It could be on hiatus, but without concrete information, it's difficult to give a definite answer. Try following the mangaka's social media or the manga's official website for the latest.