AGP Executive Report

Housing & Homelessness: Gov. Green and partners blessed the full build-out of Hoʻokahi Leo Kauhale in Kalihi, adding 30 deeply affordable homes plus healthcare, behavioral health, peer support, and workforce services to the original 20-home village. Permitting & Tech: Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting won a national AI 50 award for cutting residential permit review times by 70% using CivCheck to flag code issues earlier. Food Safety: Hawaii’s readers get a reminder that inspections can trigger return visits—while one local outlet reported on temperature-control and sanitation violations found during Berks County food inspections. Workforce & Education: Hawaii Medical College earned USA TODAY’s “America’s Top Vocational Schools” 2026 recognition as the only Hawaiʻi school on the list. Local Governance: Kauai mayoral candidates focused on cost of living, housing, and infrastructure, with plans ranging from community-based “ohana” housing on ag land to landfill and evacuation-safety priorities. Public Health Research: USS Essex at RIMPAC is piloting a biothreat early warning system that combines wearable tech and wastewater surveillance for faster detection of emerging pathogens. Community Grants: AARP awarded Hawaiʻi nonprofits and partners $139,200 total, including $15,000 for digital literacy classes in Hilo.

Broadband Access: A new 2026 State Internet Index says internet quality still depends heavily on where you live, with big urban-rural gaps and slower states lagging even as prices fall nationwide. Local Health & Food Safety: Hawaiʻi DOH shut down Honolulu’s Pier 21 Lunchroom after a critical inspection found no running water; it stays closed until fixed. Wildfire Readiness: DLNR and partners awarded $1.8 million statewide through the 2026 Hawaiʻi Urban Interface Wildfire Grant Program to cut hazardous fuels and strengthen evacuation planning across multiple islands. Water Infrastructure: Maui County is weighing a deal to buy two private West Maui water systems for up to $6 million, aiming to bring public utility control closer to residents. Energy & EV Policy Watch: A new report finds Hawaii among the most active states on electric vehicle actions in Q2 2026, even as some EV programs elsewhere are being scaled back. Wildlife Protection: A field trial in Kailua found poison-free automatic mongoose trapping cut tracking rates from 58% to 8%, offering a lower-risk tool for native bird protection. Emergency Preparedness: Hawaiʻi’s monthly outdoor siren and Emergency Alert System live audio test is set for Aug. 3 at 11:45 a.m. Agriculture Support: USDA announced an emergency assistance deadline of Friday, July 31, for farmers and ranchers.

Wildfire Mitigation Funding: Hawaii’s Urban Interface Wildfire Grant Program is awarding $1.8 million to eight organizations across Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island for firebreaks, invasive vegetation removal, managed grazing, evacuation studies and better emergency access as peak fire season ramps up. Energy Costs & Reliability: A new report highlights how HECO’s heavy oil-based generation is driving sharp bill increases for customers, with O‘ahu and Maui seeing big jumps year over year as oil prices rise amid the Iran war. Coastal Wastewater Upgrade: In Puakō, residents and Puakō For Reefs are pushing a low-pressure liquid-only sewer system as a practical alternative to cesspools, aiming to create a model the county says could spread to other Priority One coastal areas. Farm Recovery Gaps After Floods: Southeast Asian farmers on the North Shore say language barriers and immigration status are leaving them behind in Kona low recovery, even as crops were wiped out. Workforce Pipeline: The Hawaii Career Expo returned to Blaisdell Center with 100+ employers and city departments hiring across healthcare, construction and more. Conservation Careers: Kupu ʻĀina Corps and its Conservation Leadership Development Program opened applications for conservation-focused training and host-site experience across native species, renewable energy, wildfire prevention and cultural stewardship.

Wildfire Mitigation Funding: Hawaiʻi’s Urban Interface Wildfire Grant Program awarded $1.8 million to eight organizations across five islands to cut hazardous fuels, bolster evacuation planning, and strengthen wildfire resilience, including Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association on Maui. Biosecurity Rules: The Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity approved interim CRB Rule 26-2, tightening transport of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials to Maui and Lānaʻi, while also expanding the West Hawaiʻi infested area around Kailua-Kona. Housing & Homelessness: Maui’s Kīpūola Kauhale hit full capacity in Kahului, and county officials are now treating it as a potential template for more deeply affordable housing. Jobs Outlook: The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor projects 28,060 net new jobs by 2034, with fastest growth in health care, accommodation/food services, and construction. Local Economy & Tourism: A new report highlights growing interest in timeshares among younger buyers, while Hawaiʻi’s tourism and agriculture continue to be key economic drivers in regional coverage.

Biosecurity & Agriculture: Hawaiʻi’s Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity approved expanding the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) infested area on West Hawaiʻi Island, effective July 29, adding land between Henry Street, Palani Road and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway—meaning more CRB host-material handling will require compliance agreements and training. Biosecurity & Trade Rules: The board also approved Interim Rule 26-2 restricting transportation of CRB host materials and coconut fruit to Maui and Lānaʻi, with limited exceptions for treated items and approved containers. Local Infrastructure: Honolulu crews will clear Mānoa Stream between Kahaloa Drive and Woodlawn Bridge starting Aug. 3 for about two months, aiming to improve drainage and reduce flood risk. Workforce & Energy: UH Maui College and Hawaiian Electric graduated the second Maui Power Pathways Training Program cohort, building a local pipeline for generation-operations careers. Jobs Outlook: The state released employment projections through 2034, forecasting about 28,000 net new jobs by 2034 led by healthcare and food services. Tourism & Coastal Management: A plan to rebuild Kaanapali Beach with offshore sand is moving forward, but faces community scrutiny. Transportation & Competition: Alaska Air Group’s proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines for $1 billion is set to draw close antitrust review.

School Food & Agriculture: Hawaiʻi DOE brought together 600+ food service pros, agriculture leaders, and distributors at the first “Nourishing Hawaii’s Future Summit” to strengthen school meal nutrition. Disaster Recovery for Farmers: Hawaiʻi farms hit by the March Kona Low are urged to apply for USDA Farm Service Agency Emergency Conservation Program help by July 31 to repair farmland and irrigation damage. Native Hawaiian Culture Funding: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority awarded $900,000 via Kūkulu Ola to 30 community groups, including six Big Island organizations, to expand authentic cultural education and stewardship. Hurricane Preparedness for Restaurants: The National Restaurant Association and Resy host a free July 28 webinar for Hawaiʻi operators on hurricane checklists, safety, and recovery planning as Fausto moves through the islands. Local Community STEM: Hawaiʻi County’s free Science Night runs July 30 at Kea‘au Armory with hands-on astronomy and partner-led activities. Scam Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Wahiawa tied for 15th in June with one reported scam.

Hawaiʻi National Guard & Defense Training: The Guard joined 22 nations for the opening of the final GPOI-funded Garuda Canti Dharma III exercise in Indonesia, marking the end of more than two decades of support and a 20-year State Partnership Program relationship. Energy & Storm Impacts: Hurricane Fausto has weakened to a tropical storm, but Hawaiʻi still faces an east-shore high surf warning and beach park closures on Hawaiʻi Island. Workforce & Local Industry: The Hawaiʻi Career Expo returns to the Neal Blaisdell Center with 100+ employers, including City departments, with free admission and on-the-spot hiring. Utilities & Construction: Centennial Park Waikiki in Honolulu closed as a ~$310,000 fencing renovation begins, with reopening targeted for late October. Agriculture & Biosecurity: USDA announced $35M for feral swine eradication partnerships, including Hawaiʻi, aiming to protect farms, landscapes, and health. Maritime Safety: A California solo sailor, Kai Sato, survived more than a month adrift after a mast failure, later rescued by a container ship near Hawaii.

Energy & Grid Modernization: Hawaiian Electric submitted an Integrated Grid Planning RFP seeking competitively priced renewable energy and storage for Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui, aiming to cut oil use and support Hawaiʻi’s 100% renewables goal by 2045. Shipping & Safety at Sea: A California sailor, Kaichi Sato, was rescued after more than a month adrift following a mast failure on his solo voyage to Hawaii; a container ship spotted him and brought him aboard. Aviation Loyalty: American Airlines’ AAdvantage jumped to No. 1 in U.S. News’ 2026-2027 Best Travel Rewards Programs, with Hawaiian Airlines’ Atmos Rewards dropping from the top after 11 straight years. Defense & Indo-Pacific Readiness: U.S. Marines brought new Amphibious Combat Vehicles ashore in Okinawa as part of expanded forward posture amid South China Sea tensions. Weather & Risk: Hurricane Genevieve rapidly intensified to Category 5 in the Eastern Pacific, with dangerous surf expected along parts of Mexico’s coast. Local Economy & Housing Pressure: A report highlights Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis as an economic crisis, tying affordability stress to broader cost pressures.

Hurricane Fausto: The storm weakened slightly as it moved west-northwest across the Central Pacific, with no watches/warnings for now but dangerous surf and strong currents building toward exposed east-facing shores through Tuesday. Local Construction: Straub Benioff Medical Center starts about a month of utility work that will partially close lanes on S. King St. and Kealamakai St. starting Monday, with reroutes for bicyclists and pedestrians. Food & Farming: New UH Manoa research suggests Hawaii could grow rice again using traditional irrigation, aiming to reduce the state’s reliance on imported rice. Tourism & Travel: Hawaii Tourism Authority opened registration for its 2026 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference (Sept. 24-25). Aviation & Shipping: A California man missing at sea for over a month was found alive drifting off Hawaii. Energy & Cost Pressures: Grocery prices keep climbing nationwide, with Americans changing shopping habits as food costs hit the biggest jump in 50 years.

Middle East Energy Shock: U.S. gas prices jumped back above $4 a gallon as renewed Iran-related attacks raise crude costs and threaten Strait of Hormuz shipping. Hawai‘i Tourism Industry: Hawai‘i Tourism Authority opened registration for its 2026 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference (Sept. 24-25) focused on “Guardians of the Light,” bringing together hospitality, resource stewards, and community tourism leaders. Local Hospitality & Local Makers: Hawaiian Airlines’ 32nd Annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival tickets go on sale Aug. 1, expanding vendor footprint and spotlighting Hawai‘i Food Industry Association members and other local businesses. Maui County Politics: Five newcomers are vying for Chair Alice Lee’s Wailuku-Wai‘he‘e-Waikapū seat, with housing and local governance likely to shape the next council balance. Disaster Readiness: Hurricane Fausto is expected to pass north of Hawai‘i Island late Monday/early Tuesday, with life-threatening surf forecast to start well before other impacts.

Tourism & Hospitality: Hawai‘i Tourism Authority opened registration for the 2026 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference (Sept. 24-25 at Hilton Hawaiian Village), spotlighting “Ke Kahu o ka Mālamalama” and the visitor industry’s role as community caretakers. Local Business & Energy Resilience: Topa Financial Center in downtown Honolulu remains without power after a chiller leak damaged switchgear; Avalon Group is arranging temporary office space for nearly 100 displaced tenants while working with Hawaiian Electric. Shipping & Disaster Watch: Young Brothers says it’s monitoring Hurricane Fausto; no sailing changes yet, but harbor surge could delay safe berthing and cargo discharge. Power Storage Trend: A new report says home battery installs are hitting record pace in high-cost electricity markets including Hawai‘i, driven by bill control and outage readiness. Aviation & Brand: Alaska Airlines’ post-merger approach keeps Hawaiian as a separate brand—an unusual move after Alaska’s earlier Virgin America rebrand. Surf & Industry Culture: RIMPAC training moved ashore at Bellows with amphibious land-assault drills, underscoring Hawaii’s role in large-scale maritime readiness.

Local Manufacturing & Trade: Hawaiian Airlines is backing the 32nd Annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival, with tickets set to go on sale Aug. 1 and a bigger footprint of 800+ vendor booths spotlighting local makers and food producers. Transit & Construction: HART’s board advanced a $53M change order for Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV tied to Skyline’s delayed Segment 3 rollout, covering design, manufacturing and procurement impacts (not Segment 3 construction). Energy & Grid: Hawaiian Electric launched an RFP seeking renewables on three islands, while GE Vernova won an order for six gas turbines aimed at grid stability. Agriculture & Jobs: Bayer filed a WARN notice for employees affected by farm operation consolidations on Maui and O‘ahu. Biosecurity & Environment: Hawaii’s stilts were reclassified from endangered to threatened, and separate coverage highlights how invasive plants like miconia can explode from a single tree into millions of seeds—an urgent reminder for island biosecurity. Weather/Shipping Risk: Hurricane Fausto’s track confidence is rising, but Honolulu forecasters stress dangerous surf may start before other impacts. Cost of Living (Energy): Maui County’s lowest reported premium gas hit $4.99/gallon in the week ending July 18, with Hawaii premium averaging $5.93.

Hawai‘i Safety & Mobility: Hawaii raised the truck bed-riding minimum age from 12 to 16, with exemptions for agriculture, emergencies, and certain work situations—another push to curb a long-running local practice. Clean Energy Funding: The Trump administration admitted in court filings it canceled $7.6B in clean energy grants based solely on the political identity of recipient states, reigniting fights over “weaponized” federal aid. Biosecurity at the Port: Honolulu-area inspectors found a live opossum inside a cargo container, trapped it overnight, and euthanized it—highlighting how stowaways can threaten island ecosystems and workers. Agriculture & Jobs: Bayer filed a WARN notice tied to farm operation consolidations in Maui and O‘ahu, while Connecticut’s $53M disaster relief rollout for farmers shows how long recovery programs can take to reach producers. Surf Industry & Ocean Protection: SIMA honored San Clemente shaper Matt “Mayhem” Biolos as Waterperson of the Year, spotlighting surfboard manufacturing and environmental fundraising. Local Economy/Research: UH Mānoa Shidler announced a $500K endowed finance professorship to boost Asia-Pacific financial markets research.

Energy & Shipping: U.S. missiles hit targets across Iran as the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz remain flashpoints, with oil prices easing despite fresh strikes and Houthi attacks on tankers. Local Cost of Living: AAA reports Hawaii among the priciest gas markets as the national average jumps 15 cents to $4.09, tied to regional crude volatility. Agriculture Funding: After delays, Connecticut finalized $53M in federal disaster relief for farmers—another reminder of how long recovery programs can take to reach producers. Hawaii Food & Culture: A feature explores what “Hawaiian barbecue” really means, tracing the mix of traditional Hawaiian foods and immigrant influences on today’s plates. Research & Environment: UH Mānoa research challenges the long-held hotspot cooling theory, finding the Hawaiian hotspot plume warmed over tens of millions of years. Species & Land Use: Hawaii’s truck bed-riding age rises to 16, reflecting safety pressure as roads get faster. Education & Community: Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi and UH Hilo helped grant a teen’s wish for college tuition as he enters a pre-engineering pathway. Surf & Ocean Economy: A Honolulu-based seafood NGO (SFP) lays out a new strategy to strengthen sustainable supply chains, while a Hilo Orchid Show spotlights Hawaii’s floral industry.

Cargo & Agriculture: Alaska Airlines is leasing four more 737-800 converted freighters, doubling its dedicated cargo fleet to nine and dedicating the added capacity to Alaska and Hawaiʻi—aimed at more reliable shipping for seafood and time-sensitive goods starting in 2027. Energy & Grid Tech: A new market report projects Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems growth to $7.04B by 2035, with solar photovoltaic leading the segment—relevant as Hawaiʻi utilities push more renewables and storage. Invasive Species: Coqui frogs are resurfacing on Kauaʻi with seven suspected sightings reported this month, raising renewed pressure on horticulture and shipment checks. Local Food & Retail: Hot Dog on a Stick is plotting a comeback with a new owner and expansion plans, including a continued Hawaiʻi presence. Culture & Tourism: A Broadway-style musical, “The Epic Tale of Hi’iaka,” opens Dec. 5 at Ko Olina, bringing Hawaiian storytelling to a major stage. Public Safety (Weather): A high surf advisory remains in effect for south-facing shores, with dangerous breaking waves and strong currents through Friday. Workforce & Training: Bayer filed WARN notices tied to farm operation consolidations on Maui and Oʻahu, affecting about 76 employees.

Renewables & Grid: Hawaiian Electric is seeking to expand renewables and energy storage on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui, while GE Vernova won an order for six gas turbines aimed at grid stability. Solar Industry: Sunspear Energy, a Hawaiʻi solar developer, climbed to No. 199 nationally on Solar Power World’s 2026 Top Solar Contractors list and rose to No. 2 among Hawaiʻi installers. Coastal Resilience: A West Maui nonprofit and the Kāʻanapali Beach resort association filed for a conservation district use permit to restore Kāʻanapali Beach to its 1988 width and height by returning offshore sand. Wildlife Recovery: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reclassified the Aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) from endangered to threatened, citing decades of wetland restoration and predator control documented in a UH Mānoa-led study. Food & Consumer Safety: Hawaiʻi health officials warned about a Peter Rabbit Organics recall tied to a choking hazard from a plastic strand in certain pouches. Local Business & Tourism: The $5 North Shore Huaka‘i shuttle pilot is helping bring visitors back to Waialua and Hale‘iwa by requiring proof of local purchases for the return ride. Workforce & Health Policy: A new AHIP analysis highlights Hawaii’s employer health insurance law (20 hours/week threshold) as the reason the state leads the nation in coverage offers.