AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Lowell: Hawaii is in emergency mode as Lowell nears, with a Tropical Storm Warning for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau and a Hurricane Warning for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument; heavy rain, flash flooding risk on Hawaiʻi Island, and dangerous surf are expected as the storm tracks just west of the islands. Local Preparedness: Kauaʻi County will brief residents Sunday on refuge options and response plans, with shelters identified but not yet open. Public Safety: A 31-year-old motorcyclist is in critical condition after rear-ending a stalled car on eastbound H-1 near Waimalu; police are investigating. Violent Crime: Seattle police report a woman died after a shooting in Belltown early Sunday; the suspect fled. Community & Culture: Kauaʻi’s Filipino labor history event marks the Hanapēpē Massacre anniversary and spotlights Pablo Manlapit’s organizing work. Education: UH-West Oʻahu reports a 47.4% six-year bachelor completion rate for students of two or more races by 2024. Health & Safety: An 88-year-old snorkeler died off Ko Olina, the second fatal snorkeling incident there in 11 days. Policy: Rep. Jill Tokuda pushes “REH 2.0” to help rural hospitals keep maternity and emergency services open.

Hurricane Lowell: Kauaʻi braces as the storm nears with a tropical storm watch for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, a hurricane watch for the Papahānaumokuakea Marine National Monument, flood watch statewide, and major event cancellations including the Kauai Marathon/Half Marathon. Power & water impacts: KIUC crews trim trees and warn outages could last hours to days; on Hawaiʻi Island, about 60 customers still lack water in the Naalehu–Waiohinu area after Hurricane Lala, with repairs focused on the Mountain House Spring transmission line. Local health care strain: Oʻahu patients report frustration over doctor shortages, as a new Mililani Clinic & Urgent Care opens but primary-care doctors aren’t taking new patients. AI in Hawaii education: UH launches a free “Artificial Intelligence for Hawai‘i” course with local examples and ethics, plus a Windward push to ban AI data centers is deferred to October. Politics & voting: A column warns disruption of mail balloting could silence Hawaii voters amid a Supreme Court fight over mail voting rules. Sports: UNLV beats Hawaiʻi 21-6 in the Island Showdown; Hawaii Hilo volleyball sweeps its matches at the Hawaii Challenge.

Hurricane Lowell Update: Major Hurricane Lowell is expected to pass west of Kauaʻi late Monday into Monday night, but heavy rain, strong southerly winds, and dangerous surf are still forecast for all islands, with the biggest flooding risk Sunday evening through Tuesday morning. Emergency Prep & Comms: Verizon is waiving Kauaʻi call/text/data charges through Sept. 14 and says it’s prepped backup generators, satellite messaging, and coordination with HIEMA and public safety. Military Readiness: PMRF has set TCCOR 3 and ordered storm checklists and preparations, with guest-pass access closing Sept. 6. Local Impacts: An H-1 Waiawa overpass crash jammed eastbound lanes after a dump truck’s raised bed tore off under the bridge. State Land & Defense: DLNR granted Navy and NASA a 15-day FEIS extension for PMRF and the Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory, keeping public testimony time in focus. Community Support: The Salvation Army is asking for donations to replenish Hawaiʻi Island food pantries amid rising demand tied to recent storms. Sports (Local Spotlight): UNLV visits Hawaiʻi in Week 1, while IMG Academy vs. St. Louis (Honolulu) headlines a major high school matchup.

Hurricane Lowell Update: Lowell remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane near Hawaii, with officials warning the track could shift and Kauai could see the worst impacts early next week, bringing heavy rain, flash-flood risk, and dangerous surf. Local Health & Safety: Hawaii will receive 34 new ambulances funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program, with upgrades planned for emergency communications and MEDICOM modernization. Courts & Crime: A Maui man, 43, pleaded guilty to robbing a Kihei First Hawaiian Bank branch at gunpoint and faces sentencing in December; on Kauai, a former USDA consumer safety inspector was sentenced to 45 years for grooming boys and possessing child pornography. Sports (Local): The Rainbow Wahine volleyball team avoided a reverse sweep, beating Loyola Marymount in five sets, and will finish the Outrigger Invitational Sunday vs. UC San Diego. Education: Sixteen educators across Hawaii were named 2027 Teachers of the Year, with one statewide winner to be announced Sept. 21. Land Conservation: DLNR’s Legacy Land Conservation Program is accepting FY2027 applications for land acquisition grants.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: The latest forecast is “increasingly encouraging” for Oʻahu, with the Category 4 storm expected to stay well south before turning north, though Kauaʻi and the western islands face the biggest risk of heavy rain and possible watches as early as Saturday. Local Business Relief: Oʻahu small businesses hit by the March Kona Low can apply for $5,000 or $10,000 one-time grants starting Sept. 9, with proof of unmet damage required. Public Health: CDC data shows COVID-19 infections are rising in 47 states, including Hawaii, as the fall respiratory-virus season approaches. Community & Culture: Steamboat Sk8 Church seated a new board and is planning a Sept. 19 fundraiser luau and skate competition. Sports: Utah Valley beat Washington State 1-0 at Hawaiʻi’s Lower Campus Field, while Hurricane Lowell coverage continues to dominate the week’s local headlines.

Hurricane Lowell: The storm has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and shifted slightly west, with the center now about 595 miles south of Līhuʻe; forecasters say it could pass near or just west of Kauaʻi Monday into early Tuesday, but the exact track is still uncertain, so Kauaʻi and Oʻahu residents are urged to keep watching updates for possible major hurricane winds, flooding rain, and storm surge. Local Recovery & Preparedness: Hawaii County’s new all-terrain firefighting truck was unveiled, and the state also approved a major disaster declaration for the May Kona earthquake, making FEMA Individual Assistance available for eligible residents. Native Hawaiian Education Funding: The U.S. Department of Education awarded Hawaii nearly $30M to support early childhood and family programs for Native Hawaiian children, following an extension of the Native Hawaiian Education Program. Public Safety & Justice: The FBI is looking into whether a Maui Police Department officer charged with rape victimized additional people while on duty. Community & Culture: Patsy T. Mink CORP in Central Oʻahu fully reopened after being used as a temporary debris site, and Miss Hawaiʻi and Miss Hawaiʻi’s Teen are competing nationally and need public help to secure spots in the semifinals.

Hurricane Watch: Maui officials say they’re still responding to Tropical Storm Lala damage while preparing for possible impacts from Category 4 Hurricane Lowell and Hurricane Karina, warning that even light rain and gusts can mean flooding, debris, downed trees, and power outages. Storm Update: Lowell is forecast to make a major northward turn this weekend, with Kauai in the updated cone and officials urging residents to monitor forecasts as the track remains uncertain. Local Readiness: County teams are asking communities to stay alert and be prepared, with NWS advisories including wind gusts up to 55 mph and high surf for south and southeast-facing shores. Health Alert: Hawaiʻi Island wastewater testing found dengue virus, prompting public health reminders to prevent mosquito bites. Mail Service Fight: Hawaiians are pushing to restore mail delivery after wildfire damage left some homes without service, with residents saying carriers skip burned areas. Travel/Flights: Alaska Airlines marks its 40th anniversary in San Diego with new nonstop service to Mexico, its 50th nonstop from the airport. Airline Comfort: A new look at airport one-star reviews highlights recurring complaints about food, cleanliness, and basic amenities.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Hurricane Lowell is churning as a major Category 4 storm after briefly reaching Category 5, with winds around 155 mph and forecasts still uncertain as it may turn north toward Kauai early next week; officials are urging residents to prepare for possible impacts, including dangerous surf and gusty winds. Hawaiʻi Island Recovery: Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and Naʻalehu Elementary have begun bringing students back in person after Hurricane Lala, with about 850 students returning as restoration continues. Big Island Dengue Alert: The state DOH says a wastewater sample from Hilo tested positive for dengue virus; DOH is not tracking active local cases and says it’s an early warning to boost mosquito prevention. Local Land Conservation: Hawaii County’s PONC measure is moving forward after a County Council vote, setting up a framework to reassess top-scoring preservation properties every five years if not yet acquired. Honolulu Housing/Permitting: The Honolulu Planning Commission deferred Amazon’s zoning request for Project Savoy, delaying a decision on a proposed 98.75-foot-tall fulfillment center.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Lowell has rapidly intensified to Category 5 near 445 miles south of Hilo, with near-160 mph winds and a forecast to stay a major hurricane for days, while forecasters note possible track shifts. Local Emergency Prep: FEMA says federal disaster assistance is available for Hawaiʻi after the May 22, 2026 M-6.0 earthquake, with residents urged to file insurance claims first and then apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. Health Policy Fight: Multiple states, including Hawaiʻi’s neighboring AGs, are suing the Trump administration over a rule that would block Medicaid/CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth. Travel & Local Airports: Southwest is rolling out its first airport lounges with construction underway for four sites, including Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, with openings expected in late 2027. Public Safety: Hawaiʻi’s state agencies installed 162 AEDs across government facilities, funded through federal pandemic relief, and trained staff in CPR use. Road Safety: Honolulu police and fire responded to a fatal McCully crash after a pickup hit a hydrant, sending water flooding down Bingham Street.

Hurricane Watch: Hawaii is tracking two major hurricanes, with Hurricane Lowell rapidly intensifying and forecast to pass south of the islands while bringing strong trade winds and gusts, and Hurricane Karina expected to weaken as it moves toward the Central Pacific. Local Public Safety: Honolulu is expanding its MH3 program, using involuntary interventions for people in severe mental health or substance abuse crises who keep falling through service gaps. North Shore Flooding Lawsuit: Waialua residents are suing Honolulu and the Wahiawa Dam operators over March flooding, alleging long-term stream and dam maintenance failures. Business Climate: Hawaii was ranked dead last for doing business in CNBC’s 2026 “America’s Top States for Business,” with a local survey showing business confidence has worsened since five years ago. Community & Culture: The Queen Lili‘uokalani Long Distance Canoe race returns to Kona this week, drawing thousands of paddlers for the Kailua-to-Honaunau challenge. Workforce & Training: A tuition-free construction and skilled trades program in Hawaii celebrated its first graduating class, with all students landing job offers or apprenticeships.

Hurricane Watch for Hawaiʻi: Forecasters say Tropical Storm Lowell is strengthening and could become a major hurricane, with impacts for Hawaiʻi still uncertain as it tracks south of the islands; meanwhile, Tropical Storm Edouard has made landfall on the Gulf Coast with heavy rain and flooding risk. Local Safety: Oʻahu saw multiple serious motorcycle and moped crashes Monday night into Tuesday morning, leaving riders with head injuries and critical trauma. Hawaiʻi Recovery & Infrastructure: NAVFAC Hawaii honored a physical scientist as PAC AOR Employee of the Year for work expanding the Red Hill groundwater monitoring network; separate reporting also highlights the lingering cost of outages for families after Hurricane Lala. Community & Culture: Maui Junior Championship results included Artie Austin winning the 9-hole flight and Lakota Lee taking the Boys 15–18 division; and Hawaiʻi’s National Guard supported Tropical Cyclone Lala response. Business & Travel: Delta is ending its Boston–Honolulu nonstop route earlier than planned, with the last flight set for Jan. 4, 2027.

Hurricane & storm watch: Tropical Storm Edouard is headed toward the Gulf Coast, with Texas and Louisiana bracing for heavy rain and flooding. Hawai‘i weather: Lowell is expected to strengthen south of the islands, bringing gusty trade winds and possible wind advisories midweek into the weekend. Local resilience: Honolulu launched “Stay Open O‘ahu,” a free program with workshops and tools to help small businesses prepare for disasters and recover faster. Health funding: Hawai‘i is set to receive $58 million to boost rural healthcare, including workforce training and emergency communications upgrades. Public safety leadership: Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar named permanent deputy chiefs Brandon Nakasato and Parker Bode. Moloka‘i history: The state approved a right-of-entry permit and lease for a Kalaupapa memorial honoring residents exiled with Hansen’s disease. Vital records logistics: The DOH vital records office is moving downtown from Kinau Hale to the City Financial Tower (201 Merchant St.), with parking options listed near the new site. Sports: UH Manoa’s Center for Oral History marks 50 years, while Malu Garcia signed with a pro volleyball club in Slovenia.

Local Diplomacy: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s panda plan is moving from a zoo wish to a China-backed process, after a spring trip to Beijing that could require sign-off from Xi Jinping and an estimated $1M+ annual fee. Native Hawaiian Housing: Sen. Brian Schatz and local leaders discussed ways to expand housing access for Native Hawaiians, including partnerships and modernization of federal programs. Federal Policy Watch: Schatz and Sen. Ted Cruz backed a Meta settlement requiring kids under 13 off major platforms, while urging Congress to pass stronger national protections. Hawaiʻi Utilities: Hawaii Water Service filed with the state Public Utilities Commission seeking rate relief for Kona-area water and sewer upgrades. Sports (Hawaiʻi Ties): The Warriors announced their fall training camp in Hawaiʻi, with preseason games including one in Honolulu. Weather: Tropical Depression Five is approaching the Gulf Coast with tropical storm warnings for parts of Texas and Louisiana. Health/Outbreak: Cyclospora infections have surged past 17,000 nationwide as federal research support reportedly gets scaled back.

Tropical Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Lowell is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it tracks west toward the Central Pacific, while Hurricane Karina rapidly intensified offshore; forecasters say Hawaii isn’t in the immediate bullseye, but swells and rough conditions could build later. Power & Recovery: In Hilo, residents at Waiakea Villas say a prolonged outage is dragging into a third week, with Hawaiian Electric confirming the cause is tied to the property’s electrical equipment. Community Resilience: Elepaio Social Services is running pop-up food distributions for west-side families still feeling the hit from Hurricane Lala outages, highlighting the push for resilience hubs and a local food warehouse. Local Governance & Oversight: Honolulu’s Police Commission is set to hire a new executive officer, a move that could shape how civilian oversight of HPD works. Sports (Hawaii): The Rainbow Wahine volleyball team fell to San Diego to close the Wahine Volleyball Classic, and UH football’s special teams struggles were flagged after the season-opening loss to Stanford. Housing Policy: Sen. Brian Schatz met with Native Hawaiian housing leaders to discuss ways to expand affordable home access.

Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Lowell and Hurricane Karina continue churning in the central Pacific, with Lowell’s track still uncertain but officials warning the systems could bring impacts to Hawaiʻi later next week, including high surf and stronger winds. Volcano Science: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are using exposed tephra and lava layers from the 2018 Kīlauea summit collapse to build a “tephra time machine” and better understand the volcano’s long eruptive history. Local Sports: The Rainbow Wahine pushed No. 21 Baylor to a fifth set but fell 15-9 in the deciding frame, while Hawaiʻi football opened with a 37-27 loss to Stanford after a late rally. Space & Research: The University of Hawaiʻi is set to play a major role in NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission, with UH-developed infrared sensors and science planning tied to the telescope’s surveys. Environment: New DNA work using museum specimens shows Hawaii’s honeycreeper family tree has lost entire branches, with major evolutionary history disappearing. Health/Policy: A USPS mail-voting rule is facing legal fights after a court temporarily blocked it, raising concerns for states including Hawaiʻi where voting by mail is common.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Big Island officials continue digging up and cataloging remains at Na‘alehu Cemetery after flooding, with families getting a closed-door update on burial recovery and timelines. Local Health Care: Primary-care doctors warn HMSA’s new payment rules starting Tuesday could cut patient panels—dropping people without recent claims and limiting reimbursement when patients see multiple PCPs—raising fears of fewer visits and longer waits. Public Safety: The state installed 162 new AEDs in government buildings statewide and trained 920 employees in CPR response. Housing & Native Programs: DHHL broke ground on 24 new Hawaiian Home Land lots in West O‘ahu, with modular homes planned. Sports (UH): UH women’s soccer routed Hawaii Pacific 7-0, led by Anuhea Aluli’s hat trick; UH football fell to Stanford 37-27 in the season opener. Weather/Tropics: Breezy trade winds dominate, but Tropical Storm Lowell is strengthening with uncertain track—Hawaii will be watching closely into early September. Community: Maui set a Sept. 2 Lahaina community meeting with recovery, recycling, and housing updates.