AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau are under tropical storm watch and the Papahānaumokuakea Marine National Monument is under hurricane watch as Lowell remains a Category 4, with flood watches across the islands and Kaua‘i canceling events like the Kaua‘i Marathon. Election Integrity: A Star-Advertiser column warns that disruption to mail balloting could leave Hawaii voters without a clear Plan B as the Trump administration presses the Supreme Court to let the Postal Service decide which ballots get delivered. Business & Government Services: A public complaint says Hawaii DCCA business registration approvals have stalled for months even with expedited fees, tied to problems after a new Business Registration Modernization system went live. AI Literacy in Hawaii: UH launched a free “Artificial Intelligence for Hawai‘i” course through the UH OneAI Hub, using local examples and Hawaiian values. Scam Alerts: DCCA is warning regulated professionals about scammers spoofing DCCA numbers to pressure licensees for money. Land Conservation Funding: DLNR opened Legacy Land Conservation Program grant applications for FY2027, with about $5.3M available.

Hurricane Lowell & travel disruption: Hawaiʻi is again on emergency alert as Category 4 Hurricane Lowell churns south of the islands, with state warnings of flight delays and cancellations starting Sunday through Tuesday; PMRF also set TCCOR 3 and ordered key storm preparations. Local governance: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ordered a special election for State House District 43 after a tied Republican primary decided by a name-draw was ruled not to give voters a fair outcome. Military/environment review: DLNR granted Navy and NASA a 15-day extension on the FEIS for lease renewals tied to PMRF and the Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory, keeping public testimony in play. Public safety/transport: A dump truck with its bed raised ripped off part of its load under the Waiawa overpass, jamming H-1 traffic and closing lanes for hours. Community & culture: Honolulu’s Chinatown Wo Fat Building sold for $2M, with new owners planning homes, retail, and a museum. Courts & crime: A Montana man accused of antisemitic death threats against Gov. Josh Green pleaded not guilty in federal court, and a Maui carjacking/kidnapping defendant received an additional 10-year sentence. Business & jobs: Young Brothers named new vice presidents for external/government affairs and marketing/communications.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Election Ruling: The court ordered a new election for House District 43 after a tied GOP primary and ballot/procedure problems left the outcome legally “not pau,” setting a Nov. 3 do-over between Kanani Souza and Sheila Medeiros. Public Corruption Case: A judge found an actual conflict of interest involving attorney Eric Seitz in the Ford Fuchigami public corruption matter tied to Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, after prosecutors sought a conflict ruling and the defense discussed waiver. Hurricane Lowell Prep: Gov. Josh Green joined Kauaʻi officials and the National Weather Service to update residents on Category 4 Hurricane Lowell and state/county emergency steps. Disaster Recovery on Big Island: Federal disaster aid was approved for the May 22 Kona earthquake, and community resource centers are opening to help residents apply for FEMA and SBA support. Local Justice: A federal case alleges a Pearl City poke shop owner sold cocaine, with DOJ describing seized cash, drugs, and firearms. Education Recognition: Sixteen Hawaiʻi educators were named 2027 Teachers of the Year, with one statewide winner to be selected Sept. 21.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Hawaii is bracing for possible brush from Hurricane Lowell as Gov. Josh Green declared a statewide emergency and urged residents to stock up, with Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau at risk depending on the storm’s track. Airport Disruption: Kona’s only runway was briefly closed after a crack was found, suspending flights for about 90 minutes before reopening; officials expect overnight permanent repairs. State Health Access: The Hawai‘i Department of Health is promoting free breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible uninsured women, with an online eligibility form and connections to screening services. Mail Ballots Under Pressure: A federal rule aimed at restricting vote-by-mail is being challenged in court, with Hawaii among the states suing to block the limits on Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for youth. Local Justice: A Nelson restaurant owner was charged with assaulting a woman in Honolulu, and the business says he has stepped away from operations. Infrastructure & Safety: Federal per diem rates for official travel will rise slightly in 2027, while runway cracks and storm impacts keep highlighting Hawaii’s vulnerability to disruptions.

Hurricane Preparedness: Gov. Josh Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation as Hurricane Lowell (Category 4, 140 mph) and other systems could affect the islands, with Maui officials warning that even light-to-moderate rain and winds could trigger flooding and outages after Tropical Storm Lala. Disaster Relief: The White House approved a major disaster declaration for the May 22 Kona earthquake, unlocking FEMA Individual Assistance for eligible Hawaiʻi County residents (FEMA-4936-DR). Environment & Enforcement: NOAA is offering up to $20,000 for tips in the Molokai monk seal death investigation, citing preliminary findings consistent with blunt-force trauma. Public Safety & Community: The Hawaii Police Department’s “Fill a Police Cruiser” food drive raised more than $48,879 and collected about 14 tons of food for The Food Basket to support Hurricane Lala relief. Elections & Voting Rules: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in to allow mail-in voting restrictions, arguing states need to comply with new limits as North Carolina begins sending ballots. Travel & Business: Southwest unveiled its first airport lounge network, including a Honolulu location, with openings expected in late 2027. Education & Cost of Living: A new report says Hawaiʻi teachers rank 16th nationally for pay, but inflation and living costs still strain recruitment and retention.

Native Hawaiian Repatriation: Sen. Brian Schatz led a roundtable on speeding up NAGPRA repatriation, citing a 400% jump in notices of intent and pushing for stronger federal implementation in Hawai‘i. Mail Voting Fight: Election officials warn USPS’s rushed mail-ballot rule is “virtually impossible” to implement in time, raising fears of delays and disenfranchisement. Trans Youth Healthcare Lawsuit: Oregon AG Dan Rayfield and a coalition of states sued to block a Trump administration rule cutting Medicaid/CHIP coverage for gender-affirming care for low-income youth. Hawai‘i Public Health: Hawai‘i DOH reported dengue detected in a wastewater sample from Hawai‘i Island; no active local cases are currently tracked, and prior cases were travel-related. Emergency Management on Kaua‘i: PMRF’s emergency management officer highlighted how local readiness and community connections help during crises. Maui County Politics: Sierra Club Hawai‘i endorsed Mayor Richard Bissen for reelection, tying environmental stewardship to community well-being. Aviation & Travel: Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service from San Diego to Mexico for its 40th anniversary, while a Labor Day reliability ranking again spotlights airline delay/cancellation patterns.

Medicaid Fight: Colorado AG Phil Weiser sued the Trump administration over a rule blocking Medicaid reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth, arguing it unlawfully overrides medical decisions. Local Zoning: Honolulu’s Planning Commission voted 7-0 to defer Amazon’s Project Savoy zoning change in Kapolei, delaying a decision on a proposed jump in warehouse height to nearly 99 feet. Hawaiʻi Elections: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court grilled election officials over two improperly cast ballots in a GOP House District 43 tie, with a decision on whether a special election is needed set for Friday. Maui Public Safety: Maui prosecutors announced a veteran MPD officer was indicted on multiple sexual assault counts tied to an alleged encounter after a single-car crash, and asked potential victims/witnesses to contact the FBI. Homelessness Response: Maui County announced interim and permanent safe parking sites, including a new interim location in Puʻunēnē and a permanent site in Kahului after storm impacts. Hurricane Lowell Watch: Hawaii emergency officials continued monitoring Hurricane Lowell and urged residents to prepare ahead of lessons drawn from Iniki. Workforce & Training: Ten Honolulu-area adults landed jobs or apprenticeships after completing a tuition-free construction training program, marking the first graduating class of C2C Workforce USA’s skilled trades track. Indo-Pacific Security: A major Indo-Pacific defense conference emphasized collective security and adapting to AI and autonomous warfare. Pacific Investment: The U.S. outlined more than $150M in Pacific support, including fuel security and hospital upgrades for partner nations. Aviation/Travel: Southwest unveiled its first-ever airport lounges—starting with Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville—opening in late 2027, tied to a premium Chase credit card.

Native Hawaiian Education Program Funding: After the Schatz-McMahon agreement, Hawai‘i is set to receive nearly $30 million in federal Native Hawaiian Education Program funding by Friday, supporting early childhood sites, home visiting, workforce development, and Hawaiian language immersion. Transgender Healthcare Lawsuits: Hawai‘i’s Attorney General is part of a growing coalition challenging Trump administration rules that would block Medicaid/CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care for transgender youth, with multiple states suing over alleged federal overreach. Mail Voting Fight: Democrats and election groups are pushing back on Trump’s mail-voting restrictions, arguing new USPS requirements and deadlines could disrupt November elections. Pacific Diplomacy: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau’s Pacific trip is colliding with Beijing pressure, including fallout from Palau-area leaders’ meeting attendance and regional influence battles. Aviation & Travel: Southwest announced its first-ever airport lounges—opening in late 2027 at Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville—partnered with Chase. Public Safety: Hawai‘i’s state government installed 162 AEDs across facilities using federal COVID relief funds, with staff trained in CPR. Local Incident: Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a serious traffic incident in Volcano where an 11-year-old fell from a pickup bed and was run over by a food wagon.

Mental Health Crisis Response: Honolulu is expanding its MH-3 program, using a legal tool to get people in severe mental illness or substance-use crises into emergency psychiatric evaluation when they can’t recognize danger to themselves or others; the city says it has helped about 150 people since launch and is rolling out citywide. Police Accountability & Public Safety: A Maui police officer on paid leave after a rape arrest has been indicted by a grand jury and faces multiple sexual assault charges. Gun Law Update: Hawaii’s age-21 firearms restriction survived a legal challenge, with the state attorney general saying the ruling confirms the law’s constitutionality. Election Administration: Honolulu admitted two ineligible voters were mistakenly issued ballots in a Makakilo primary tie, a dispute now before the Hawaii Supreme Court. Aviation Safety: The FAA denied an Oahu helicopter company’s request to keep offering “helocast” jumps, suspending the activity. Homeland Security: Hawaii’s Office of Homeland Security released a first-in-the-nation implementation plan for targeted violence prevention. Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaii County water officials provided updates on restoring service in Kaʻū, citing damage to key waterlines and access challenges. Pacific & Military: The U.S. says it’s weighing deploying elements of its Multi-Domain Task Force to the Korean Peninsula, while Washington also pledged more than $150 million for Pacific partners.

Meta Settlement & Youth Safety: Attorneys general announced a landmark multistate settlement with Meta, requiring new child-safety reforms for Instagram and Facebook, with court approval pending. Mail Voting Fight: A federal whistleblower says USPS rushed a new mail-ballot verification portal without standard testing, warning it could reject valid ballots—adding fuel to ongoing court battles over vote-by-mail rules. Hawaiʻi Governance & Courts: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court upheld the age-21 gun law after a Second Amendment challenge, while separate rulings continue to shape City Council leadership eligibility disputes. State Land & Environment: Hawaiʻi’s Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected renewed aquarium fish collection rules for now, keeping commercial collection banned in West Hawaiʻi and statewide. Hawaiʻi Infrastructure & Recovery: After Hurricane Lala, Hawaiʻi Island recovery updates include completed major utility repairs ahead of schedule and continued work on grid resilience and hazard mitigation. Military & Housing: The Navy marked the first completion of six barracks renovation projects under the Barracks Task Force, aiming to reduce sailors living aboard ship. Travel Impact: Delta will end its Boston–Honolulu nonstop route earlier than planned, affecting one of the longest domestic flights. Local Culture: Hawaiʻi County announced the He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival for Sept. 5 at Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo.

Honolulu Police Leadership: Chief David Lazar named Brandon Nakasato and Maj. Parker Bode as permanent deputy chiefs, aiming to stabilize a department strained by vacancies, morale issues, and leadership churn. Kalaupapa Memorial Progress: The state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a right-of-entry permit and lease for Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa to move a permanent memorial honoring Hansen’s disease exiles forward. Hawaiʻi Supreme Court & City Politics: The court ruled Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters ineligible for another term, clearing the way for Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory to face off in November. Public Safety & Courts: The Hawaii Supreme Court required a fifth Miranda warning statewide after a Molokai murder case found Maui Police’s advisement insufficient. Accountability in Law Enforcement: A 12-year Maui Police veteran was arrested on multiple sexual assault charges; the investigation remains ongoing. Infrastructure Oversight: A 2022 report flagged serious problems with the Hilo bridge that later collapsed, recommending replacement and warning deterioration would worsen. Disaster Recovery: Hawaiian Electric said major Hurricane Lala repairs on Hawaiʻi Island are complete, with remaining outages tied to customer property damage or access issues. Veterans & Immigration: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pardoned Purple Heart recipient Sae Joon Park, removing a key legal barrier to his return to Hawaiʻi.

Local Diplomacy: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s bid to bring China’s pandas to the Honolulu Zoo is now a high-stakes diplomatic process, with China’s sign-off reportedly tied to Beijing and an estimated $1M+ annual fee. Public Safety & Justice: A Honolulu deputy prosecutor, Miki Nishizawa, was arrested at a DUI checkpoint in Kapolei and charged with operating under the influence. Energy Resilience: Hawaiʻi secured $18.5M in federal funding for grid resilience and hazard mitigation, including “critical customer hubs” and a digital twin of the grid across Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Oʻahu. Disaster Recovery: State officials updated Hurricane Lala recovery efforts and preparedness as El Niño-driven storms remain a concern. Housing Permitting Tech: Cities are turning to AI and new federal grants to speed up housing permitting by catching incomplete applications earlier. Health Policy: A multistate coalition led by Delaware AG Kathy Jennings sued to block new federal Title X family planning funding conditions. Regional Travel: Micronesian nations are exploring a regional airline to break United’s dominance on the Island Hopper route.

Bridge Safety: A 2022 Hawaii County inspection report warned the Hilo–Coconut Island bridge was in “serious condition,” citing corroded, severed prestressing strands and recommending replacement, with only weight limits as a short-term stopgap. Civilian Oversight: A new Honolulu Police Commission executive officer hire could reshape how the commission runs HPD oversight, with critics saying the role leans too heavily on investigations instead of broader policy and chief-evaluation work. Native Hawaiian Housing: Sen. Brian Schatz met with Hawaiian Homes and housing leaders to discuss ways to expand Native Hawaiian housing access amid Hawaii’s wider shortage. Water Reliability: During Tropical Storm Lala, many Big Island well pumps shut down when power failed, exposing how the county lacks enough emergency generators to keep water systems running. Local Diplomacy & Culture: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s panda push traces back to a China trip and high-level outreach, raising questions about cost and political strings. Waste & Land Use (Kaua‘i): Kaua‘i mayoral candidates clash over recycling and landfill priorities as the Kekaha site nears capacity and expansions loom. Energy Costs: Par Pacific’s profits surged as fuel prices rose, even as Hawai‘i residents faced high gas and electricity costs. Tech & Jobs: Hawaii Tech Week and Tech Days of Fall 2026 are set to bring thousands to Honolulu for AI, cybersecurity, and workforce training. Public Safety: MADD and Oahu law enforcement ran “Saturation Saturday” DUI enforcement ahead of Labor Day. Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Karina strengthened into a hurricane in the central Pacific, with no immediate land threat reported.

US Voting Rights Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocks a Trump-backed USPS rule that could make vote-by-mail harder or even impossible in many states, with the administration appealing as election deadlines loom. Hawaiʻi Courts & Elections: The Hawaii Supreme Court ruling on City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility remains a major local political flashpoint. Local Government & Public Safety: Honolulu voters are still asking why they didn’t get a chance to weigh in on police accountability, while Oʻahu authorities continue searching for a work-furlough escapee. Hawaiʻi Health Spending Watch: New Medicaid billing data show big local swings—Ewa Beach durable medical equipment jumped to $20,777 in 2024, and Kaneohe pathology/lab procedures rose 145.3% to $52,903. Space & Innovation: University of Hawaiʻi researchers are tied to NASA’s Roman Space Telescope mission, from technology to science planning. Hawaiʻi Disaster Recovery & Culture: Maui’s ʻŌiwi Resources Department highlights Hawaiian ancestral knowledge in Lahaina recovery, including the return of buried waterways.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaii Island recovery is shifting from emergency response to early restoration, with Hawaiian Electric still working through access issues for several hundred customers and the county expanding water service while residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel into Kaʻū. Agriculture & Food Security: Big Island ranchers and farmers are still tallying storm damage after Lala washed out coffee and knocked out water sources, with early estimates already topping $761,000 and lawmakers warning many immigrant producers may not apply for aid. Public Safety: DAGS installed 162 new AEDs in state buildings statewide, training hundreds of employees to respond to sudden cardiac arrest. State & Local Governance: Honolulu’s “Kokua Line” tackles whether debit-card convenience fees for city services are legal, with the city saying the practice complies with federal and local law. Environment & Wildlife Policy: Letters urge Honolulu to match DLNR’s push to curb feral cats on managed property, arguing city no-kill approaches still leave wildlife at risk. Cultural Life: The Paniolo Preservation Society marks its 25th anniversary with a Waimea BBQ and slack-key celebration. Land & Memory: BLNR approved a right-of-entry permit advancing a Kalaupapa memorial honoring Hansen’s disease patients, including families still searching for unmarked graves.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaiian Electric says only about 600 Big Island customers remain without power, but restoration is slowed in some areas because crews can’t access equipment yet; the company urges customers to call the trouble line if they haven’t followed up in three days. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Hawai‘i’s expanded “Slow Down, Move Over” law now covers all stopped roadside vehicles (not just emergency vehicles), with potential fines up to $1,000. Local Law Enforcement: Honolulu authorities are searching for a work-furlough escapee, Jonalee Popa, after he failed to return from a pass Friday evening. Housing & Planning: Maui’s Mākena Mauka project moved forward after density was cut by about 27% in response to community pushback, with approvals still needed at the state and county levels. State Politics / Courts: The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters ineligible for another term, keeping the race in the spotlight. Community & Culture: Honolulu unveiled the renovated Pahinui Pavilion at Waimānalo Beach Park for community use.