Hawaiʻi Election Tech & Politics: Oʻahu voters reported low turnout and used the state’s digital voter guide to research candidates as polls closed, while East Honolulu’s District 4 City Council race stayed tangled in a court fight over Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility. OHA Governance: Early returns in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at-large trustee primary showed incumbents leading, with Brickwood Galuteria, John Waiheʻe IV, and Ikaika Anderson among the top vote-getters as the field narrows for November. Volcano Science: New research tied to Kīlauea’s summit eruption suggests magma chemistry could help explain why lava fountain heights rise and fall, with scientists tracking cycles since the Dec. 23, 2024 start. Marine Tech for Wildlife: UH Mānoa researchers are using drones to deploy noninvasive suction-cup tags on humpback whales, aiming for safer, more detailed tracking without close boat approaches. Climate & Health: A study on U.S. coastal wetlands finds 84% are inundating as sea levels rise, while coverage also highlights how wildfire smoke and climate-driven extremes are reshaping daily life. Local Funding: Hawaiʻi County opened applications for a new $250,000 Event Sponsorship Program to support island economic development, culture, and community benefits.