AGP Executive Report

Hawaiʻi Community College Leadership: Chancellor Susan Kazama announced her retirement, stepping down July 31 after about 40 years with the UH system, with an interim chancellor expected to be named soon. Local Housing Help: Honolulu home sales rose 8.5% vs. last May, but prices stayed around $1.5 million; the Hale Kāmaʻāina Mortgage Program is highlighted as a path for first-time buyers. Maui Park Clarification: DLNR says rumors about Makena State Park upgrades are off-base—planned work is limited to restrooms/showers, paving at existing lots, and staff infrastructure, with no change to access or resident free parking. Public Safety—Kauaʻi: Police are still searching for “Billy” Sinclair, described as armed and dangerous, tied to a Hanalei homicide; residents are urged not to approach and to call in tips. Weather: Trade wind showers continue mainly for Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, with a small craft advisory around Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island until Monday evening. Regional Disaster Watch: A 7.8 quake struck the southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings/advisories across parts of the Pacific; Hawaiʻi was not listed as threatened.

Maui County Budget & Safety: The Maui County Council approved a $1.6 billion fiscal 2027 budget and added $50,000 for campus security after a terroristic threatening arrest at One Main Plaza in Wailuku. Maui Mayoral Race: Polls show incumbent Richard Bissen and challenger Yuki Lei Sugimura battling in a crowded 10-candidate race ahead of the Aug. 8 primary. Local Courts & Public Safety: Hawaii’s Supreme Court heard arguments on whether refusing a voluntary sobriety test can be treated as evidence of guilt. Maui Wildfire Payouts: A mediated settlement deal is set up for the first Maui wildfire payment, with initial distributions expected in July or August. Disaster Aid Deadline: Kona-low storm victims have until June 15 to apply for disaster unemployment assistance. Honolulu Utilities Help: Oahu’s CARES sewer bill credit program is taking applications, but requires tax returns to confirm eligibility. Weather: Trade winds stay breezy today with scattered showers, then ease later in the week. U.S. Supreme Court Watch: The court is poised to rule on major gun-rights and transgender-athlete cases, including a Hawaii handgun-carry dispute.

Maui Wildfires Recovery: Gov. Josh Green praised a court ruling that caps attorney fees in Maui wildfire settlement claims, aiming to send more money directly to survivors and families. Mililani Shooting Case: Honolulu prosecutors declined murder charges after detectives found the suspect acted in self-defense during a robbery-linked shooting on Kauopua Street; separate robbery charges remain for another suspect. Big Island Traffic Charges: A 36-year-old Pāhoa man, Kade Smith, was charged with first-degree negligent homicide, manslaughter, and DUI-related offenses after a fatal motorcycle crash on Kahakai Boulevard; bail set at $553,050. Oʻahu Safety Alerts: Lifeguards issued a shark warning for Kahe Point (Electric Beach) after a non-aggressive 6–7 foot shark was spotted; signs posted. Community & Culture: Hundreds kicked off the Hawaii State Library 2026 Summer Reading Challenge at ʻUmeke Kāʻeo; registration runs through July 31. Tourism & Conservation: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response launched its Hawaiʻi Marine Stewards Program to train hospitality and tourism workers to better protect monk seals and other marine animals. Weather: Breezy trade winds and passing showers continue through the weekend, with box jellyfish season also underway on south and west-facing Oʻahu shores.

Maui Recovery: A court ruling limits attorney fees in Maui wildfire settlement claims, aiming to push more money directly to survivors and families; the governor says the decision supports the “survivor-first” approach behind the One ʻOhana Fund, which has already paid out more than $111.5 million to 79 claimants. Local Governance: Hawaii County Council approved General Plan 2045 (Bill 66) in a 5-3 vote despite fierce opposition, sending the plan to Mayor Kimo Alameda, who says he won’t sign or veto but has reservations about it being too prescriptive. Public Safety: Honolulu police continue charging suspects in the Waialee Beach assault case after a viral attack left a man and a teen seriously injured; the latest arrests bring the total to seven suspects charged. Road Safety & Health: A Moanalua Freeway multi-car crash killed one person and sent five others to the hospital, while a separate report highlights Hawaii’s construction boom early this year—over $2 billion in spending in the first quarter, with Oahu leading and housing construction down year over year. Community & Sports: Joshua Walker was named UH women’s volleyball head coach, returning to Hawaii after championship experience as a UH men’s assistant and recent coaching at Baylor.

Traffic Safety: Hawaii DOT is moving fast on Saddle Road after a string of deadly crashes, declaring a traffic emergency zone on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (mileposts 5.5 to 28) and outlining near-term fixes like rumble strips, wet-weather striping, and speed safety cameras. Flood Insurance: Oʻahu’s new federal flood maps take effect June 10, with thousands of properties shifting into higher-risk zones—meaning some homeowners may face mandatory flood insurance. Wildfire Readiness: Gov. Josh Green signed a second-year emergency proclamation keeping Hawaii National Guard helicopters “postured to fly” for early wildfire response under Operation Hoʻopauahi through Nov. 30. Local Community & Courts: Honolulu swears in new District Court judges Kirsha Durante and Simeona Mariano, while the city highlights ongoing homelessness emergency care efforts. Culture & Sports: UH names Joshua Walker as Rainbow Wahine volleyball head coach; Honouliuli National Historic Site will offer limited guided tours starting July 18. Science & Defense: Ocean exploration vessel Nautilus returns to the Mariana region with local participants, and India and the U.S. held Army-to-Army talks in Hawaii to deepen defense cooperation.

Volcano Watch: Kīlauea’s summit eruption hit a new milestone with its 48th eruptive episode, surpassing the Puʻu ʻŌʻō record and giving scientists fresh insight into how magma moves beneath the volcano. Maui Preparedness: A new report highlights how many visitors don’t realize Haleakala is still considered an active volcano, with the U.S. Geological Survey estimating the last eruptions occurred outside the crater between 1480 and 1600. Lahaina Recovery: The County of Maui is asking residents to weigh in on a master plan for the Lahaina Royal Complex, aiming to restore and interpret the sacred area through a “living framework” process. Wildfire Readiness: Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation to fund Hawaiʻi National Guard operations under Operation Hoʻopauahi, keeping helicopters and support teams ready for wildfire season. Local Safety: Honolulu police are investigating a fatal Mililani robbery shooting where suspects fled in a light-colored pickup truck. Weather: Breezy trade winds continue through the weekend, with showers mostly favoring windward and mountain areas.

Fatal crash on Saddle Road (Hilo): One person died in a fiery two-vehicle collision near the 18-mile marker on Daniel K. Inouye Highway after a 4-Runner hydroplaned into the eastbound lane and was broadsided by a commercial truck; the highway was closed in South Hilo during the response. More crash fallout: A separate South Hilo collision involving three vehicles also left one dead and another injured, with Daniel K. Inouye Highway closed earlier in the day. Local access update: Lake Waimaluhia shoreline access at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden partially reopens Saturday after repairs and a reinforced pathway; more restoration is planned by June 2026. Public safety and crime: A man accused of beating his pregnant girlfriend and child in Hilo was arrested and charged; on Oahu, police arrested a 17-year-old tied to the Waialee Beach assault investigation, with more arrests expected. Wildfire readiness: Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation authorizing Hawaii National Guard air operations under Operation Hoʻopauahi for wildfire season. Medicaid crackdown: Federal officials decertified Hawaii’s Medicaid fraud control unit and cut millions in fraud funding, prompting state response. Scams warning: FBI says AI is making scams harder to spot, and Hawaii is seeing rising fraud losses. Education: Hawaiʻi Community College’s Kō Education Center launches a “First Year Here at Kō” program for North Hawaiʻi students starting this fall. Culture and recovery: Lahaina’s Royal Complex Master Plan is moving forward to honor Hawaiian history and sacred sites.

Local Justice: Five juveniles were charged in the viral Waiale’e Beach assault on Oahu’s North Shore, with police saying more arrests may follow as detectives identify others involved. Public Safety: A Maui man pleaded guilty in federal court for helping with a laser-pointer assault on a federal aircraft; the FAA says Hawaiʻi laser strikes are down 10.6% this year. Culture & Community: Maui Arts & Cultural Center opens “Through the Lens,” a free exhibit running June 2–July 25 featuring six Hawaiʻi-based photographers. Arts Spotlight: “The Conversion of Ka‘ahumanu” brings a key moment in Hawaiian history to life at ProArts Playhouse. Education Recognition: Maui High teacher Janyce Omura was nominated for the 2026 National History Day Teacher of the Year award. Maui Business & Food: Maui chef Lee Anne Wong won $100,000 on Food Network’s “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing.” Voyaging Update: The Polynesian Voyaging Society adjusted the Moananuiākea Voyage sail plan due to El Niño and storm concerns, shifting the departure to late August from Aotearoa.

Behavioral Health Funding: Hawaiʻi was selected for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, a new federal push aimed at expanding mental health and substance-use treatment through Med-QUEST and DOH. North Shore Violence: Community members are calling for action after a brutal mobbing incident on Oʻahu’s North Shore, with police arrests tied to the attack and concerns about social media and youth support. Public Safety Incidents: Honolulu firefighters evacuated the Iwilei Costco after a gas leak, then cleared the building with no injuries reported; in Wahiawa, HPD says a stabbing victim had broken into an apartment before the altercation, and murder charges were declined. Legal Challenge: A lawsuit in federal court challenges the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act’s 50% blood quantum requirement for homestead leases. Volcano Watch: USGS reports Kīlauea’s summit eruption fountaining episode 48 set a new record, with lava fountain heights estimated at least 500 feet. Sports & Local Events: The Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl is set for Christmas Eve in Mānoa, and Oʻahu’s June 5–7 weekend includes free community events.

Hawaiʻi Weather & Ocean Safety: A plume of moisture brings moderate to heavy showers through Wednesday, with windward and mauka areas seeing minor flooding, while a high surf advisory stays up for south shores as swell peaks today. Tropical Update: Tropical Storm Amanda is the first Pacific storm of the season, forming far from Hawaiʻi but still tied to high surf conditions locally. Coral & Climate Watch: NOAA warns El Niño could drive widespread coral bleaching risk across the northern Pacific this summer, including Hawaiʻi. Local Accountability: A Honolulu couple says an electric reclining couch likely caused a house fire that killed their pets, with investigators urging consumers to follow manufacturer guidance. Education Pipeline: UH is expanding the Hoapili Teacher Pathways program statewide to help address Hawaiʻi’s teacher shortage with tuition-free, online routes to licensure. Politics (Hawaiʻi County): Candidates have filed for 2026 Hawaiʻi County Council seats, with mail ballots due July 21 and the primary set for Aug. 8. Community & Culture: Maui honored Outstanding Older Americans, and Maui AgFest recognized Harold Keyser as the 2026 Maui Legacy Farmer.

Earthquakes Update: A magnitude-4.6 quake off Kona was revised again after an earlier bump to 5.2; USGS says it was about 4 miles west-northwest of Kahaluʻu-Keauhou at ~21 miles deep, with no tsunami expected and hundreds of “felt” reports logged. Volcano Science: A Cornell-led study says water and carbon dioxide can drive different historic Mount Etna eruption behaviors, offering clues for future risk. Local Safety: Part of a concrete wall fell at Ala Moana Center; the mall says no injuries were reported and an exit lane was closed while engineers inspect. Legal/Justice: A Maui man accused in the 2012 death of his 4-year-old son faces trial for the third time. Native Hawaiian Homesteads: A lawsuit challenges the Hawaiian Home Lands blood-quantum requirement as unconstitutional. Community & Services: Honolulu’s free “Twilight Summer Concert Series” returns to botanical gardens starting June 4, and the state opens applications for new mental health provisional licenses effective July 1. Disaster Help: Hawaiʻi County, Honolulu, and Maui residents can still apply for disaster unemployment assistance tied to March 10–24 storms.

Housing & Recovery: Hawaiʻi Off Grid has started construction on Maui’s first Habitat for Humanity mass timber “Bunkhouse” in Lahaina, aiming to speed affordable, resilient rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. Local Justice: Jacob Baker, accused in a Puna triple homicide, appeared in Hilo District Court and was denied bail; the court ordered a fitness and penal responsibility evaluation. Weather Outlook: Early El Niño signals are emerging, with experts warning it could shape North American weather and influence hurricane patterns later this year. Travel Disruptions: A new report flags where July 4 delays hit hardest, with Hawaiian Airlines noted for having the fewest departure delays among major carriers. National Security: President Trump named Bill Pulte—head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency—as acting director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard. Climate Science Fight: Hawaiʻi-area AG William Tong led a coalition opposing removal of climate science guidance from a federal judicial manual.

Hurricane Season Watch: Hawaii’s first day of June brings more trade-wind showers and two disturbances in the eastern Pacific that could develop, while officials urge residents to stock 7–14 days of emergency supplies. Volcano Update: Kīlauea’s Episode 48 lava fountaining set a new record with 48 fountaining episodes in the current eruption series, and an ashfall advisory was issued for parts of East Hawaiʻi as tephra drifted downwind. Maui Road Repairs: County crews are repairing a South Kihei Road collapse from March Kona low storms, with business owners worried the work won’t finish until fall. Legal Rights at DUI Stops: Hawaii Supreme Court will hear whether refusing voluntary roadside sobriety tests can be used as evidence in DUI and license revocation cases. Public Safety & Courts: A man accused in the Puna killings made his first court appearance in Hilo and was ordered to undergo a mental fitness exam. Local Sports: Kīlauea’s record run also comes as a Kamehameha grad, Colby McClinton, heads pro in Mexico’s softball league.

Hawaiʻi Public Safety & Weather: The state will run its monthly statewide emergency siren test today (June 1) at 11:45 a.m., with no drill—listen for the one-minute attention alert and follow official updates if it sounds outside the test. Showers are expected to pick up across the islands through midweek as trade winds weaken, with the wettest conditions spreading from the Big Island to the rest of the chain by Tuesday. Lāhainā Recovery: Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group and partners held a home dedication and blessing for Valerie Hoʻopai and ʻohana, marking their return to a newly rebuilt Lahaina home. Molokaʻi Aviation Incident: A small plane crashed upside down in the water off Kalaupapa; both people on board swam to shore and were rescued after response crews arrived. Big Island Criminal Case: Prosecutors charged 36-year-old Jacob Baker in connection with the Puna triple killings, adding multiple murder counts; his initial court appearance is set for today in Hilo District Court. Local Community Meetings: Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Lahaina Community Meeting June 3 at Lahaina Intermediate School, covering restoration, water projects, and recovery updates. Business & Travel: Sentry will take over as title sponsor for the Torrey Pines PGA Tour event starting next year, after Kapalua’s tournament was affected by a Maui water dispute.

Big Island Justice: Hawaii police have charged 36-year-old Jacob Daniel Baker of Pāhoa with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the killings of three seniors in Puna; he’s held without bail and faces additional burglary, auto theft and property-damage charges, with his first court appearance set for Monday. Maui Public Safety: A Maui congressional candidate, 40-year-old Kirill Basin, posted $250,000 bail after being charged with terroristic threatening in a Wailuku county building incident involving an alleged firearm. Local Weather & Surf: Honolulu’s forecast calls for lighter trade winds with pop-up showers, plus a note that south-shore waves could climb back toward warning levels later this week. Voyaging & Climate: Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are adjusting their Moananuiākea Voyage plans due to El Niño-linked conditions, with a revised route from Aotearoa in August. Regional Security: The Navy says South Korea’s Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great will depart for RIMPAC, with waters off Hawaiʻi hosting the exercise June 24–July 31. Business Watch: Plans for a new Costco Business Center in Waipahu face pushback at a neighborhood board meeting.

Puna Triple Homicide Update: Hawaii Island prosecutors have charged 36-year-old Jacob Daniel Baker with multiple counts of murder plus burglary, auto theft and other crimes. He was arrested after a manhunt and is set for an initial court appearance Monday in Hilo District Court, with bail set to no bail for the murder charges. Kona Low Recovery Help: FEMA has approved more than $2.1 million in grants for Hawaii County residents affected by March Kona lows, with applications due by June 14; local recovery centers are set up at Kealakekua and Ka‘u-Naalehu libraries. Local Weather & Surf: A high surf advisory remains in effect for south-facing shores, while lighter trade winds and showers are expected, especially windward, with stronger trades returning early next week. Community & Outdoors: The Hawaiʻi Outdoors Expo returns June 6-7 at the Blaisdell, featuring gear, activities, and a dog show. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea is gearing up for historic Episode 48 lava fountaining, with USGS updates pointing to activity soon.