  We describe the current performance of the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme
Adaptive Optics (SCExAO) instrument on the Subaru telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii
and present early science results for SCExAO coupled with the CHARIS integral
field spectrograph. SCExAO now delivers H band Strehl ratios up to $\sim$ 0.9
or better, extreme AO corrections for optically faint stars, and planet-to-star
contrasts rivaling that of GPI and SPHERE. CHARIS yield high signal-to-noise
detections and 1.1--2.4 $\mu m$ spectra of benchmark directly-imaged companions
like HR 8799 cde and kappa And b that clarify their atmospheric properties. We
also show how recently published as well as unpublished observations of LkCa 15
lead to a re-evaluation of its claimed protoplanets. Finally, we briefly
describe plans for a SCExAO-focused direct imaging campaign to directly image
and characterize young exoplanets, planet-forming disks, and (later) mature
planets in reflected light.
