AGP Executive Report

El Niño Watch: NOAA has confirmed El Niño is underway, with a 63% chance it will become one of the strongest on record—meteorologists warn it could rapidly intensify and turbocharge extreme heat, flooding, droughts and wildfires worldwide. Local Community & Culture: Hawaiʻi’s trans and māhū communities are speaking out amid rising national hostility, sharing what safety and gender-affirming care look like in the Islands. Cost of Living Pressure: Inflation hit 4.2% in May, the highest in three years, driven largely by higher energy prices tied to the Iran war—raising new questions about when rates could fall. Health Access on Hawaiʻi Island: Tropic Care returns June 19–28 with no-cost medical, dental and optometry services at multiple sites, first-come first-served. Travel Tech: Southwest is partnering with Starlink for faster in-flight Wi‑Fi by June. Money Watch: A new WalletHub analysis puts Pearl City, Hawaiʻi among the highest U.S. cities for credit card debt per household.

Local Crime: Honolulu police are investigating an apparent assault in Kalihi that left a man in his 60s critically injured after medics responded to a Nalanui Street apartment before 4:30 p.m. Public Safety: A visitor’s trip to Manoa Falls ended with a fractured ankle and wrist, with officials reminding hikers that “everything’s easy until it’s not,” especially when trails are muddy. Community & Culture: Cirque du Soleil’s ʻAuana released “Kele ka Moana,” a new single written entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, ahead of the full soundtrack. Sports & Education: UH announced a $5 million NIL commitment to boost student-athlete compensation and keep local talent in Hawaiʻi. Environment: The Honolulu Zoo and DLNR released more than 100 critically endangered Kahuli land snails into a protected Koolau habitat. Transit Planning: The public can weigh in on designs for Skyline’s Kuloloia (Downtown) Station at a workshop Wednesday evening.

Hawaiʻi Public Safety: A Hawaii Island man, 32-year-old Steven Campos of Hilo, was charged after police found 12 children left unsupervised at a Kona hotel, along with a loaded firearm and about a pound of cocaine in the room. Wildlife & Courts: A judge set a timeline for a federal case involving a tourist accused of throwing a rock at an endangered monk seal in Lahaina. Earth & Volcanology: The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said a 4.7 quake on Hawaiʻi Island was similar in origin to other recent island-chain quakes but unrelated to the May 22 6.0 event; aftershocks are possible. Local Development: A spokesman for the Flint Hills Digital Campus says a Chapter 11 filing tied to a separate Hawaii housing project won’t affect the data center’s feasibility, while lawmakers point to SB 98 as guardrails. Homelessness Response: Honolulu opened a new Kokua Command Center to coordinate the city’s homelessness efforts. Tourism & Business: Hilton Hawaiian Village completed renovations to its Rainbow Tower, refreshing guestrooms with locally inspired design. Military & Ocean Science: The Ocean Exploration Trust begins a two-week seabed mapping expedition around the Marianas, with coverage also including Wake Island and Hawaiʻi.

Public Safety Tech: Hawaii law enforcement unveiled the state’s first National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), named for fallen Maui Police Officer Suzanne O, to link shell casings across counties and help track guns moving between islands. Waikiki Incident: A chemical mixing blast at the Wayfinder Hotel’s pool pump room injured a worker; the area was evacuated and hazmat crews responded. Kona Child Neglect Case: Police arrested four parents after 12 children were allegedly left unsupervised at a Kona hotel; one father faces drug and gun charges after cocaine and a loaded firearm were found. OHA & Media: OHA trustees will revisit a potential purchase of KITV and KIKU, with due-diligence spending back on the agenda. Education Access: Hawaiʻi Community College’s Kō Education Center launches “First Year Here at Kō” for North Hawaiʻi students starting this fall. Aquaculture Push: UH is joining a $13.5M NOAA aquaculture consortium to strengthen America’s seafood supply. Community Safety: Maui officials urge people who work with children to take free mandated reporter training during summer. Sports Spotlight: Honokaa’s Josyah Napoleon-Umeda was named 2026 MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year.

Local Emergency Response: Honolulu firefighters battled a three-alarm fire at Waipahu Towers, rescuing six people—including two infants—after smoke filled upper floors; the fire was fully out by about 12:18 a.m. State Leadership: Gov. Josh Green announced DLNR chair Dawn Chang will retire July 1, naming Ryan Kanakaʻole as chair/director and David Day as first deputy. Business & Growth: Two Maui companies—Island Essence and Vaui Social Liquids—were picked for Mana Up’s Cohort 11 accelerator, joining a six-month push for brand and market expansion. NOAA & Ocean Science: NOAA launched CIFARM, a new aquaculture research and markets initiative hosted by the University of New Hampshire, with Hawaii Sea Grant among partners. Community & Culture: Honolulu’s Kokua Command Center is highlighted as the city’s new homelessness response hub, aiming to coordinate services. Arts & Heritage: Celebration 2026 in photos shows Sealaska Heritage Institute’s dance festival drawing about 1,800 dancers, including Hawaii’s Hālau Kamehameha Kapālama. Skywatching: Astronomers using Hawaii’s Gemini North captured a detailed new image of the Crystal Ball Nebula (NGC 1514).

Homeless Response: Honolulu unveiled its new Kokua Command Center at 222 N. School St., a hub meant to coordinate city services and connect people to shelter, health care, and housing resources “almost in real time.” Mililani Case: Juveniles were charged in a Mililani robbery tied to a deadly shooting; prosecutors say the shooting was self-defense and murder charges were declined, with a 14-year-old facing first-degree robbery counts and others facing theft. Waialee Beach Assault: A 19-year-old was charged with attempted assault in the first degree after an attack that left a 23-year-old and a 15-year-old with broken bones and concussions; bail set at $35,000. Puna Crash: A judge reduced bail for a Puna man charged in a fatal motorcycle crash, lowering it to $350,000. Sports: Rainbow Wahine volleyball named Joshua Walker as head coach, bringing him back to Hawai‘i after coaching at Baylor. Weather: Trade winds ease midweek with periodic showers, plus a stronger south-southwest swell expected Saturday night into early next week.

Fatal Crash in Kona: Police say a Toyota Tacoma veered off Old Kona Airport roadway and hit a pedestrian walking south; the driver, 23-year-old Janne Labin, was charged after an investigation that’s now being reclassified as second-degree negligent homicide, with additional charges possible. Rural Drug Access: A $3.2 million grant aims to help rural hospitals avoid generic drug shortages by pooling purchasing power through the Civica Rural Hospital Program. Maui Wildfire Recovery: A court ruling limits attorney fees in Maui wildfire settlement claims, steering more money to survivors and families. Safe Driving Push: Honolulu’s 5th annual Zumbaathon for Azalia Park drew more than 150 people to support Safe Ride Hawaiʻi, which provides rides to impaired drivers. Education-to-Work Pipeline: The U.S. Department of Education named Hawaii as a semifinalist for its Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge. Weather: Breezy trade winds with periodic showers are expected to ease later in the week, with surf choppiness on the east side.

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.