Hurricane & Storm Readiness: Hawaii is bracing for back-to-back weather threats after Hurricane Lala, with Tropical Storm Moke expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds—plus flood risk—over the Big Island and nearby islands. Coral Reef Tech & Insurance: Lala also triggered the nation’s first coral reef insurance payout: a $200,000 payment tied to storm wind thresholds to help assess and repair reef damage that acts like natural storm protection. Water Infrastructure: Maui County is weighing costly desalination plans to turn brackish/saltwater aquifers into potable water as drought pressure grows. Volcano Monitoring: Hawaii Volcano Observatory field teams keep near-real-time monitoring running, with public access to sensor data helping residents track Kīlauea unrest. Defense Tech at Sea: Lockheed Martin and Saildrone demonstrated live missile firing from an unmanned surface vessel during RIMPAC, showing how commercial USVs can be adapted for military missions. Space Science: Astronomers reported a “black hole star” candidate, MoM-BH*-1, found using James Webb data, adding to early-universe mysteries. Local Education Spotlight: Pāhoa High & Intermediate earned a national “School of Distinction” award for research-based support in middle grades. Consumer/Legal Watch: A judge struck down a sweeping Trump visa freeze, while Hawaii consumers have until Aug. 31 to claim Mercedes-Benz emissions settlement benefits.