AGP Executive Report

Tourism Numbers: DBEDT reports July 2026 visitor spending hit $1.99B (+1.7%) with 883,248 visitors (+1.1%), though stays shortened to 7.59 days (-14.1%). State Parks: Oʻahu’s Kaʻena Point Keawaʻula section closes for road work until Sept. 4, then reopens Sept. 5 (beach access still limited). Local Environment Planning: DLNR is taking public input on a 10-year management plan for the Puaʻahala section of Molokaʻi State Forest Reserve, with a new online engagement platform. Native Species Milestone: Kaua‘i County honored Pakele, the last known wild ‘akikiki, after her disappearance in 2025. Community & Culture: Polynesian Voyaging Society inducted six new Pwo navigators, including Hawaii’s first women to earn the title. Sports & Entertainment: North Shore duo Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm advanced on America’s Got Talent; Hawaii is cheering as they chase semifinals. Real Estate: A rare South Maui oceanfront listing pairs two homes at Mākena Road for $45M.

Meta Youth Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B and impose new limits on teen use of Facebook and Instagram, with Hawaii set to receive up to $80.7M for child-safety changes. Local Higher Ed: University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel withdrew an interim free-speech “time, place and manner” policy for all 10 campuses, reverting to 2014 guidelines while talks continue. Hawaiʻi Sports: UH football QB Micah Alejado is profiled ahead of the season, while Rainbow Wahine volleyball begins the Joshua Walker era with opening matches. Community & Safety: A Kokua Line explainer warns that “IRS texts” can be scams, but the IRS may text if you opted in—check before clicking or sharing info. State Watch: Hawaii officials pushed back on rumors of a dam breach on Hawaiʻi Island during Hurricane Lala, saying the Keaiwa Reservoir remains intact and empty. Defense & Tech: Saildrone’s unmanned vessel conducted live-fire missile tests off Hawaii during RIMPAC 2026.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Hawaii is set to receive up to $76 million from a $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta, which requires sweeping protections for users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook, including daily time limits, nighttime blocks, limits on school-hour push notifications, stronger age checks, and safer content controls. Local Consumer Protection: Hawaiʻi officials also warned residents about misleading door-to-door solar sales, saying the state doesn’t offer free solar systems and doesn’t send employees to cold-call or knock on doors. Disaster Response: Team Rubicon expanded its Hawaiʻi disaster relief after Hurricane Lala, adding more volunteers on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island for debris removal and chainsaw work. Community & Culture: Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services will hold public meetings starting Sept. 2 on Oʻahu’s wastewater and storm-water Integrated Plan. Sports: The NFL ended the Pro Bowl as a game, keeping only Pro Bowl honors and shifting celebrations into Super Bowl week in Los Angeles.

Kīlauea Update: Episode 54 of summit lava fountaining at Halemaʻumaʻu ended after 9 hours, with the alert level lowered from WATCH to ADVISORY and aviation code from ORANGE to YELLOW; tephra and “Pele’s hair” were reported downwind, and Civil Defense urged precautions for ash-sensitive areas. Local Courts: The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters can run again for the East Honolulu seat; a ruling is expected by Friday and could reshape the Nov. 3 matchup. Hawaiian Homesteads: Kamaki Kanahele, a key leader in the Hawaiian homestead movement and founder of health initiatives in Waianae, died at 81. UH Sports: UH named Ikaika Aki as the new women’s water polo coach from Loyola Marymount, and UH football will debut a Hawaiian Airlines Pualani patch on jerseys for the Stanford game. Public Safety: HPD is piloting drones as first responders to 911 calls, while the Hawaii Police Department says it’s still reviewing options. Hurricane Lala Aftermath: Settlement spares Hawaii Job Corps center closures, reversing a 2025 push to shut down 99 centers nationwide. Maui Harbor Crime: Boaters at Maalaea Harbor are calling for more security after recent thefts from vessels.

Road Safety Update: Hawaii’s expanded “Slow Down, Move Over” law (Act 95) now covers all stationary roadside vehicles, including tow operators and stranded drivers, with officials highlighting the death of a tow worker and urging people to report violations. Public Lands: Vandals chopped down at least 10 trees in the ʻEwa Forest Reserve above Wahiawā, leaving splintered trunks and a bench that suggests a planned viewpoint. Shipping Innovation: Hawaii Car Transport launched scheduled air cargo between Los Angeles and Honolulu, cutting vehicle delivery from weeks by ship to about 4–5 days. Local Business: Tatiana Pizza opened a new Cherrydale location with 32-inch pies and Italian-American favorites. Tourism/Golf: Play Hawaiʻi Golf brings 12 top courses across five islands together to market Hawaii as one world-class golf destination. National/Global Watch: A Canadian-American yachtsman indicted in Hawaii for alleged child sexual exploitation was arrested in British Columbia. Sports: Week 0 college football is underway, with Hawaii-related coverage including a Week 0 preview featuring Hawaii’s test game.

Election 2026: Hawaii’s GOP primary races for state House District 43 and state Senate District 20 both ended in ties, now headed to a Hawaii Supreme Court fight over how one tie was drawn—while the editorial argues the fix should be special elections instead of lot draws. Hurricane Lala recovery: Ka‘u coffee growers report major losses as Moke’s remnants move on, and Hilo’s Waiakea Villas still lacks power after more than 10 days due to a transformer issue, leaving elderly residents struggling. Courts & elections: The Hawaii Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Tommy Waters’ election eligibility, a decision that could determine who faces in November. Local sports: UH quarterback Micah Alejado and two Hawaii-area standouts made the Manning Award watch list; UH freshman Olivia Dianda earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week after scoring twice at the OUTRIGGER Invitational. Honolulu micromobility: Honolulu moves to keep mopeds out of bike lanes and cap sidewalk e-bikes at 10 mph. Business: American Savings Bank filed to pursue an IPO, aiming to list on the NYSE under ASBH.

Hurricane Lala recovery & storm readiness: Tropical Storm Moke is still threatening Hawaiʻi with heavy rain and flood risk as Big Island crews work through restoration and shelters prepare for possible impacts. Local safety: Honolulu EMS responded to a serious e-bike crash in Waipahu where a 6-year-old boy was hurt after an e-bike lost control; neither rider was wearing a helmet. Health & policy: Lawmakers are urging action to suspend Medicaid terminations for disaster-affected residents, highlighting how paperwork and portal access can derail coverage during emergencies. Environment: Hawaiʻi’s first parametric coral reef insurance payout has been triggered by Hurricane Lala, underscoring how climate risk is now translating into real payments. Community response: The Salvation Army and local partners are helping nourish and support Hawaiʻi areas hit by Lala power outages. Business & tourism: Hilton named a new managing director for Grand Wailea Maui, signaling continued investment in Maui’s hospitality rebound.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii Island is getting heavy rain and gusty winds after Hurricane Lala, with officials warning of continued flood risk and power-restoration delays; Moke has weakened to a tropical depression but still threatens through Monday. Power & recovery: Hawaiian Electric reports power restored to about 3,200 customers on Hawaiʻi Island, with thousands still in the dark as crews work hardest-hit areas. Local courts: Honolulu’s City Council term-limit fight over Chair Tommy Waters heads to the Hawaii Supreme Court, with voters saying the process left them disenfranchised. Economy: Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in July, the highest since late 2024, signaling a cooling labor market. UH research: UH secured $647.3 million in extramural funding for FY2026, its second-highest total on record. Public safety & community: A letter urges hikers to pay rescue fees and fines, while another calls for community-first leadership. Investigations & health: Civil Beat is launching a new series on meth in Hawaiʻi, tied to a UH study showing many overdose deaths involved ice. Environment: A call urges the state to keep native reef fish on Hawaii reefs, opposing commercial aquarium collection.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii is bracing for another round of heavy rain and gusty winds as Moke passes close enough to bring impacts over the next day or two, with the storm center around 320 miles south-southwest of Hilo and forecast to pass south of the Big Island today before moving farther south early next week. Emergency Preparedness: Honolulu and state health officials are urging residents to stay off roads, protect against floodwater hazards, prevent mold and carbon monoxide risks during outages, and keep medications and charged devices ready. After Hurricane Lala: Oahu emergency managers say most power issues are resolved but saturated ground and unstable trees/roofs mean even “less intense” conditions could still cause damage, while Big Island flood risk remains elevated where Lala already hit. Local Recovery Accountability: Maui residents in Nāhiku say the Lower Nāhiku bridge was wiped out by Lala and they can’t find who owns or must rebuild it—leaving them trapped and demanding answers. Community & Culture: Molokai Farmers are graduating apprentices from the Farm Apprentice Mentorship Program, and the Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo returns Oct. 23-25 at Kaonoulu Ranch for its 110th anniversary.

Tropical Storm Moke: Winds weakened slightly to about 45 mph, but the Big Island still faces a Flood Watch and heavy rain risk (5–10 inches, locally higher) plus gusty trade winds and possible mudslides, especially in areas hit by Hurricane Lala. Storm response: Hawaiʻi County says all emergency shelters will open Saturday night, with pet-friendly rules and hot showers at one site; Hawaiian Electric reports thousands still without power on Hawaiʻi Island and is updating restoration estimates as rain and access issues affect crews. Local help after Lala: A Kokua Line column points Oʻahu residents to 2-1-1/Aloha United Way and the Key Project for free cleanup and chainsaw assistance where available. Education & community: Hawaii schools will add a plant-based lunch option statewide; separate columns highlight student learning beyond the classroom and the strain on Hawaii’s social safety net as demand for help rises. Politics & accountability: Lawmakers debate whether Hawaii’s election tie-breaker should stay a random draw. Sports: UH soccer earned its first win of the season, beating Idaho 2-0, and Moanalua girls volleyball won the Hawaii Invitational. Animals: The Humane Society says it has taken in 217 pets since Lala, with only 14 reunited so far.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawai‘i is bracing for heavy rain and gusty winds as Moke tracks south of the islands, with a Flood Watch and Wind Advisory still in effect for the Big Island; forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in windward and southeast areas already saturated after Hurricane Lala. Storm Response & Recovery: The state activated a Joint Information Center for Moke media inquiries, while Hawai‘i National Guard response to Lala has wrapped on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i but continues in Hawai‘i County and Maui County. Power & Transparency: Frustration is growing among Hawaiian Electric customers on Hawai‘i Island, with thousands still without power a week after Lala and residents saying they can’t get clear answers on restoration timelines. Healthcare in Ka‘ū: Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center is bringing care back to Nā‘ālehu with a mobile clinic after storm damage left its Ka‘ū facility unsafe and without reliable power/connectivity. Local Water Planning: Maui County is weighing costly desalination plans as demand for water rises. Consumer Alert: Mercedes-Benz owners in Hawai‘i have until Aug. 31 to schedule eligible emissions repairs and claim settlement incentive payments.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii is bracing for heavy rain and dangerous surf as the storm is officially declared, with the center expected to pass south of the islands; the Big Island faces the highest flash-flood and mudslide risk, especially windward and southeast areas already hit by Hurricane Lala. Local Emergency Prep: HIEMA and state partners are urging Wahiawa residents downstream of Wahiawa Dam to review evacuation routes as officials release water and install an Aquadam bladder to boost spillway capacity. Storm Recovery: The Hawaiʻi National Guard has wrapped response on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, while recovery continues on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. Coral Insurance Milestone: For the first time, a hurricane triggered a payout from a U.S. coral reef insurance policy after Hurricane Lala qualified for rapid payment. Sports—UH & Beyond: Tennis: UH alumnus Andre Ilagan earned a US Open qualifying wildcard; Football: UH long snapper Jack Mowrey is embracing a mentor role. Arts & Community: A Hawaii-based dog food startup “Good Boy Food for Dogs” is expanding in Wahiawa, and local volunteers keep the Top of the City Garden growing.

Tropical Weather: Tropical Storm Moke has formed in the Central Pacific and is expected to pass close to the Big Island, bringing a Flood Watch for heavy rain, flooding risk, and damaging winds—right after Hurricane Lala’s devastation. Local Disaster Response: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda says the Kau recovery shows Hawaii must rethink how it prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disasters, pointing to major damage and debris-clogged roads around Naalehu Elementary. Public Safety & Privacy: Attorney General Jay Jones won a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding a massive database of CDL drivers’ personal information and threatening funding over it. Federal Funding Fight: Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition challenging illegal immigration-enforcement conditions tied to public safety grants, including Byrne JAG funding. Travel & Connectivity: Verizon says it’s staging backup power, satellite messaging support, and customer relief as another storm threat develops. Volcano Monitoring: Kīlauea’s summit eruption is paused, with USGS field technicians highlighted for keeping near-real-time monitoring running.

Tropical Storm Watch: Hawaii is bracing for Tropical Depression Two-C to strengthen into “Moke,” with forecasts calling for heavy rain—especially on the Big Island—after Hurricane Lala’s damage left grounds saturated. Local Emergency Response: Officials are also tracking flood risk near Lake Wilson and Otake Camp, where rising water levels could quickly worsen conditions. Hurricane Recovery Support: Honolulu is partnering with Hawaii Foodbank and funding $200,000 for Oahu food distributions, with multiple pickup sites scheduled this weekend and next week. Public Health: CDC data shows Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates dropped across the board for 2025–2026, reversing recent gains and raising concern about herd immunity. Legal/Politics: The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday in two challenges to Honolulu City Council election results for Tommy Waters. Environment & Policy: Earthjustice and conservation groups sued to stop deep-sea mining lease sales, arguing the science isn’t ready and biodiversity risks are irreversible. Sports: UH women’s soccer fell 3-1 to Western Michigan, while Hawaii’s long snapper Jack Mowrey and Kamehameha girls volleyball are in the spotlight.

Navy Readiness Drill: JBPHH and PMRF Barking Sands will host Exercise Citadel Pacific 2026 Aug. 24–28, a force-protection and anti-terrorism exercise that could mean extra traffic and delays near the bases. Health & Schools: CDC data shows Hawaiʻi kindergartener vaccination rates dropped for 2025–2026, with religious exemptions rising to 6.0% (up from 5.5%). Jobs Watch: Hawaiʻi’s July unemployment rate held at 2.7%, with jobs up 1,200 year over year. Public Education Strain: An educator says budget limits are pushing qualified teachers into substitute roles instead of permanent contracts. Tropical Weather: A new Tropical Depression Two-C is forming southeast of Hawaiʻi, with heavy rain and flooding risk—especially for Hawaiʻi Island—plus dangerous surf possible. Hawaiʻi Island Storm Crime Case: A Hilo man faces enhanced penalties after prosecutors say he assaulted residents during the Hurricane Lala emergency period. Local Safety: Three people were injured in a car crash into a tree at Tantalus.

Hurricane Lala Recovery (Hawaiʻi Island): About 17,000 people were still without power Wednesday morning as Hawaiian Electric reported major progress on Oʻahu (99% restored), Maui (98%), and Hawaiʻi Island (75%), with some heavily damaged areas possibly taking up to two weeks; Kau roads and bridges in the southern Kaʻū district remained clogged with mud, boulders, and fallen trees, and parts of Mamalahoa Highway in Pāhala were washed out. Emergency Funding: U.S. DOT approved an initial $6 million in quick-release federal funds to help repair Lala-damaged roads and bridges, with more expected later. Next Storm Watch: Forecasters are tracking Invest 90E, with a 90% chance of tropical development and possible impacts starting as early as Sunday, on already saturated ground. Animal Sheltering: The Hawaiian Humane Society says more than 100 displaced animals arrived on Oʻahu, and it’s urging help with fostering, adoption, and volunteering. Public Safety/Health: DOH issued a recall for Dreyer’s Outshine Fruit Bars due to possible glass contamination. Local Justice: A 58-year-old man was charged after an alleged burglary and assault during the Lala emergency period in Hilo.