Wildfire Recovery (Maui): Three years after the Aug. 8, 2023 Lahaina fires, Maui County says 600 homes are rebuilt and occupied, 400 more are under construction, and 2,248 of 2,746 lost housing units are on a rebuild path; the county also reports full debris removal, reopened roads, restored sewer service, and $1.6B in HUD disaster recovery funding driving multi-family rebuild. Tourism Management (Hawaiʻi Island): The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority unveiled 2026–28 Destination Management Action Plans, flagging “hotspots under strain” on Hawaiʻi Island and outlining measurable actions aimed at balancing visitor impacts with resident sentiment. Marine Research (Humpbacks): UH Mānoa researchers are using drones to deploy noninvasive suction-cup tags on humpback whales, aiming for safer, more efficient tracking. Energy & Fuel Costs: National gasoline averages fell to $4.06 as crude eased; AAA also notes Hawaii’s higher prices remain a key pressure point. Regulatory/Industry Oversight (Hemp): Hawaiʻi DOH/OMCCR issued two notices of violation to Island Smoke and Vape for refusing lawful inspections, with penalties totaling $13,000. Aviation & Travel: Delta plans to resume daily Seattle–Tokyo Narita service in March 2027, adding capacity to the Japan market. Science (Solar): Hawaii’s Inouye Solar Telescope captured unprecedented visible-light images showing tiny plasma whirlpools and vortices on the Sun’s surface, helping explain how solar magnetic energy builds.