Hawaii is one of precious few states still retaining a mask rule against COVID-19: Masks are required indoors only at establishments and public spaces, not outdoors (though many still don masks among outdoor crowds).

That’s turning out to be an increasingly wise move, as the delta variant is on the rise here and elsewhere. Last week, the World Health Organization recommended masking even for fully vaccinated people — and though California just lifted its mask mandate two weeks ago, L.A. County this week “strongly recommends” that everyone wear masks in indoor public places as a precaution against the more-infectious, hardier delta variant. Keep your masks handy, Hawaii.

The trend in lumber thefts

Tuesday’s arrest of three men in connection with a lumber theft from an Aina Haina home construction site is just one local manifestation of a national trend. Disruptions of supply chains and a boom in home projects during the pandemic months have factored into skyrocketing lumber prices — and a rash of thefts.

Add that to a contractor’s headaches over the loss of other building materials. Remember the concern over copper thefts a few years back? That’s still happening, along with the wood heists.