“AV-8B had no problems landing on them”.
The Harriers tore up the decks when they were first deployed back in the 70’s, so yes we did not learn the lessons.
Directed thrust from the AV-8 isn’t as hot & it’s distributed along the fuselage & wingips. The F-35 is directing the entire engine at max power just a a few feet off the deck from the variable nozzle. BIG difference.
The Navy anticipated this problem but the bucks & yard time for modernization of the flight decks weren’t immediately available. Plus the the F-35B has been delayed, so somebody at Navy controlling the money-spigot probably figured, “What’s the hurry.”