AGP Executive Report

Oʻahu Transit: TheBus, Skyline and TheHandi-Van fares rise July 1, averaging about 14% (adult monthly $80→$90; annual $880→$990). City Infrastructure: Honolulu starts emergency repairs on a storm-damaged stretch of Tantalus Drive July 6, with lane shifts and about four months of work. Wildfire Policy: The Public Utilities Commission is set to shape rules for a future electric-utility wildfire liability cap, with preliminary input due June 30. Local Flood Accountability: A Civil Beat report says Honolulu spent more than $450,000 on Kaukonahua flood-control plans and designs, yet the North Shore stream still clogged and flooded during Kona-low storms. Hawaiʻi Public Safety: A 43-year-old man faces federal child pornography charges tied to alleged Snapchat luring of a 15-year-old at a Big Island Airbnb. Community & Environment: Hawaii County panels advance an “Aina Kupuna” property-tax dedication for families holding generational lands, and the county is drafting a composting plan after finding 26% of landfill waste is organic. Sports & Campus: UH volleyball’s Finn Kearney transfers to Long Beach State; UH pitcher Brody Martin-Grudzielanek explores options in the transfer portal. RIMPAC: Philippine naval and coast guard ships arrived in Pearl Harbor as the exercise ramps up amid China tensions.

Hemp Enforcement: Hawai‘i will start enforcing hemp retailer and distributor registration statewide on July 1, ending the June 30 grace period, with the Department of Health and the Attorney General moving from outreach to investigations and actions. Road Safety: Police say Saddle Road crackdowns are working—HPD logged 1,069 traffic stops from June 4-21, including 649 speeding citations, and will keep enforcing to curb crashes. Maui Transit: Starting July 1, Maui Bus fixed-route fares become free for students (with ID) and County employees (with County ID), with added stops in key areas. Culture Calendar: The 51st Annual Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition and Festival returns July 23-25 at Neal S. Blaisdell Center, following the Native Hawaiian Convention. Local Business/Travel: Gas prices keep sliding as AAA reports holiday travel demand rising for Independence Day. Community Service: Maui’s Baha’is of Wailuku took top honors in the Adopt-A-Highway Dash for Trash, collecting more than 300 bags of litter across the program.

RIMPAC in Hawaii: The Philippine Navy and Coast Guard have arrived in Pearl Harbor to join RIMPAC 2026, with the Philippine Consulate General welcoming crews aboard BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Gabriela Silang and stressing growing maritime capability and Indo-Pacific cooperation. Red Hill water fight: The Navy has finished its environmental assessment for a Red Hill Water Treatment Facility, saying it would have “no significant impact,” as skepticism continues over whether the system can safely reopen. Wildfire liability cap: Hawaii’s Public Utilities Commission is shaping rules for a future wildfire “liability cap” and a possible recovery fund, with public input due June 30. Energy resilience: Emergency officials warn El Nino could bring more tropical storms, raising the odds of long power outages, while utilities push hardening efforts. Local planning: Hawaii County approved a $5 million renovation permit for Kona Seaside Shops, and extended the Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park lease to Sept. 1 while talks continue. Politics and courts: Former Honolulu City Council member Trevor Ozawa asked a judge to speed up his lawsuit challenging Tommy Waters’ eligibility for a third term.

Hawaiʻi Election Reform: Gov. Josh Green signed SB 2239 into law, kicking off automatic voter registration statewide starting Jan. 1, 2027, when residents apply for or renew a driver’s license or state ID unless they opt out. Wildfire Readiness: The state is ramping up for wildfire season with 15 new engines, more aerial firefighting resources, and expanded evacuation routes across Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. Public Safety Alerts: Shark warning signs went up at Ke Iki Beach after a non-aggressive tiger shark was spotted offshore, and officials also posted alerts near Pipeline after aggressive sharks were seen. UH Health Tech: UH is launching an AI and data science center in medicine with a $12 million federal grant aimed at training local researchers to tackle Hawaiʻi and Pacific health needs. Economy Watch: Hawaiʻi’s unemployment rate rose to 2.5% in May, while payroll employment grew modestly. Community & Culture: Carly Yoshida was crowned Miss Hawaii 2026, and the Great Waikoloa Rubber Duckie Race returns July 4 to raise funds for people with disabilities.

El Nino Power Prep: Hawaii emergency officials are warning residents to brace for extended outages as El Nino could bring five to 13 tropical storms, with crews and utilities pushing harder to harden the grid. Local Courts & Rights: The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear an elephants’ rights case seeking freedom for Asian elephants Mari and Vaigai at the Honolulu Zoo, a fight that could reshape how courts view captive animals. University Protest Rules: UH plans new limits on speech and protests across its 10 campuses, drawing concerns about curbing demonstrations. Food Insecurity Pressure: Kaukau 4 Keiki is overwhelmed by volunteer shortages at its Ewa Beach site, forcing long lines and a weekly cap of 750 families. Housing & Growth: James Campbell Co. is expanding into rental housing ownership, buying a 318-unit complex at Ho‘opili and building Naliko with 300 rentals in Kapolei. Community & Culture: A Lahaina Rising documentary screened at the Wailuku Film Festival, while a Korea-Hawaii heritage baseball tournament kicked off a campaign for a Korean pavilion at Makiki District Park.

Shark Warning: Honolulu Ocean Safety issued a shark alert for waters near Pipeline (Off the Wall) after two aggressive ~7-foot sharks were spotted; lifeguards and beachgoers were told to stay alert and call 911 if a shark is seen. Volcano Watch: USGS says Kīlauea’s summit eruption remains paused but is building toward episode 50 lava fountaining, with the likely start window June 24-27 (June 25-26 most likely). Local Wildlife: NOAA and partners successfully relocated the monk seal pup ‘Ānela ‘Auinalā (RV96) from busy Kaimana Beach to a quieter Oʻahu shoreline after weaning and health checks. Health & Research: UH Cancer Center and JABSOM won a $12M NIH grant to launch a Pacific Center for AI and Data Science in Medicine, aiming to speed biomedical discoveries across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Community & Business: Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce set its June 30 annual meeting and luncheon, highlighting Native business leadership and media storytelling. Sports/Travel: Southwest announced a new Burbank-to-Honolulu route launching Aug. 4, adding more nonstop options to the islands.

Local Government & Infrastructure: Hawaii County is weighing buying the long-vacant Kona Kmart in Makalapua to turn it into a West Hawaii events center, while the Puna Alternate Route Study aimed at easing Highway 130 congestion and improving evacuation options has been delayed by at least six months. Public Safety & Environment: A lava-ocean explosion on the Big Island sent molten rock through a sightseeing boat’s roof, injuring 23 people. Health & Education: UH’s Cancer Center is launching Hawaii’s first AI data center with $12M in federal funding to improve medical research across the Pacific; meanwhile, proposed UH protest limits are drawing concerns from students and faculty. Community & Economy: Pacific Gateway Center is blessing a new Haleiwa farm to expand opportunities for immigrant and refugee farmers. Transportation & Cost of Living: Honolulu’s bikeshare Biki is under heavy criticism over broken stations and fewer working bikes, and a reader questions added credit-card fees for DMV Now renewals. Politics & Governance: A key Hawaii Elections Commission leadership dispute is leaving the state scrambling as the Aug. 8 primary nears.

Scholarships & Youth: Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association handed out $75,000 in Kaimana Scholarships to 15 high school seniors across Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. Military & Public Access: Bellows Field Beach Park will close to the public Sunday for U.S. Marine Corps training, with more weekend closures planned in July. Local Public Safety: Honolulu police arrested a 20-year-old in a Waianae attempted murder case after an alleged stabbing during an argument June 18. Health & Housing Support: Project Vision Hawaii’s 15th annual Eye Ball fundraiser aims to expand health and human services for the state’s most vulnerable, including mobile hygiene and case management. State Land & Culture: The Department of Land and Natural Resources extended the Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae relocation deadline to Oct. 16, 2026, and outlined phased closure and cleanup plans. Maui Budget: Mayor Richard Bissen signed Maui County’s $1.61B FY2027 budget, including funding for affordable housing and Lahaina recovery. Food Innovation: The Hawaii Made Conference in Waikiki June 23 will connect local food innovators with resources on packaging, product development and marketing.

RIMPAC Watch: The Philippine Navy’s new guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6) joined allies near Hawaii for RIMPAC 2026, running a “leapfrog” formation with Singapore and South Korea as crews tested air-defense drills. Military Land Talks: A draft U.S. defense bill would push the Army to negotiate renewed leases for Pohakuloa (Hawaii Island) and Kahuku (Oahu) state lands, aiming to avoid condemnation. Oahu Violence: An Oahu grand jury indicted 37-year-old Detor Sirom in the Ala Moana-area shooting that killed a man, while prosecutors also charged a 19-year-old in the Hopaka Street case. Local Infrastructure: Honolulu will start emergency repairs on the Waipahu Street Arch Bridge June 29, with contraflow beginning Aug. 3 and about three months of work. Coral Comeback: Kahaluu Bay’s coral restoration is showing signs of recovery, with cauliflower corals spawning again after major heat-wave losses. Weather & Surf: Father’s Day weekend stays warm and mostly sunny with light winds, muggy air, and only isolated showers.

Public Corruption Watch: Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez says the state’s public corruption investigation is still active and has grown “more complex than initially believed,” with her Special Investigation and Prosecution Division continuing reviews, interviews, and record analysis while refusing to discuss specific steps or potential charges. Maui County Governance: The Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee meets Monday to discuss former chief of staff Leo Caires’ whistleblower lawsuit alleging he was fired after raising suspected fraud tied to mayor’s office grants, plus a proposed resolution aimed at boosting transparency around settlement offers and special counsel invoices. Health Workforce: DCCA is preparing for July 1 under Act 93, expanding provisional licensing pathways for associate psychologists and associate mental health professionals to help grow Hawaiʻi’s mental health workforce. Local Services: Honolulu EMS held graduation for its seventh EMT Academy, with the first class trained at the Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Business & Innovation: HTDC announced Innovation Grants and Manufacturing Assistance Program awards supporting Hawaiʻi’s manufacturing and tech sectors. Airport Update: Honolulu airport parking rates rise July 1 for longer stays.

Local Transportation & Fares: Hawaii’s new automatic voter registration law (Act 67) kicks in Jan. 1, but voter registration changes won’t affect elections until after August and November; residents can opt out. Public Safety: The Hawaii Bicycling League is stepping up enforcement during the “100 deadliest days,” urging drivers and cyclists to follow traffic rules after a Windward Oahu crash pushed the year’s traffic fatality count to 20. Energy Costs Help: Hawaiʻi Energy launched a Hilo appliance trade-up program for older working fridges/freezers, offering ENERGY STAR replacements for as low as $250, with applications due July 24. Environment & Conservation: At Kahalu‘u, coral restoration is showing signs of recovery after a milky-white bay signaled renewed reproduction, while on the Kona Coast a decade-long “Try Wait” fishing moratorium is still being negotiated to protect gains. Governance & Politics: A Honolulu council race heats up as Trevor Ozawa sues to block Tommy Waters from a third term. Defense & Naming: The Pentagon says it’s restoring the Oahu-based Pacific command’s name to U.S. Pacific Command. Community & Culture: Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” shares her 99-year story and advocacy as Juneteenth continues to grow nationwide.

Honolulu Parks & Rec Fees: Camping permit admin fees jump from $2 to $5 and after-hours attendant/custodian services rise from $20 to $25 per hour starting July 1, with a Kapolei Hale suite address update for the department. Wildfire Readiness: DLNR says it’s ramping up for the 2026 wildfire and hurricane seasons, adding 15 new wildland fire engines statewide and expanding water sources for helicopter operations. Kīlauea Update: Researchers say Kīlauea’s eruption is heading toward a 50th episode, with lava-fountaining activity continuing on a roughly every-one-to-three-weeks pattern. Mauna Loa Sensors: After a 6.0 quake, UH scientists deployed temporary seismic sensors across Mauna Loa’s west flank to better understand fault geometry and hazards. Native Hawaiian Mobility Study: A new UH study finds Native Hawaiian adults report mobility limits at higher rates and younger ages than other groups. Oʻahu Dengue Case: The state Department of Health reports a travel-related dengue case in an Oʻahu visitor, with risks described as low. Supreme Court Gun Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously limits a federal gun ban for marijuana users, a decision that could affect Hawaii residents too. Hopaka St Attempted Murder: HPD arrested an additional suspect in the Hopaka Street attempted murder investigation; the case remains ongoing. Oʻahu Weekend Picks: Oahu events for June 19-21 include Miss Hawaii 2026, roots/reggae at Capitol Modern, and Honolulu Harbor Nights.

Local Entrepreneurship: Kids Entrepreneur Con is giving Honolulu-area youth a free marketplace to sell sourdough, jewelry and art, with organizers saying it’s “business school” for kids ages 3 to 18. Energy Costs: Economists say a new U.S.-Iran agreement could eventually ease gas and electricity prices in Hawaii, where energy is largely imported. Public Safety & Recovery: FEMA is joining county and state teams to assess damage from the May 22 South Kona M6.0 earthquake, a step aimed at unlocking federal aid. Transit Watch: Oahu’s TheBus annual pass prices rise July 1, with a $110 adult annual pass jump if bought after the deadline. Community & Culture: The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival runs through Sunday with 100+ films, workshops and panels, including a documentary on the Maui wildfires. Police Leadership: Honolulu’s next police chief, David Lazar, met with the Police Commission ahead of his July 2 swearing-in. Health: DOH reported a travel-related dengue case in an Oahu visitor, with officials stressing risks remain low.

EV Policy Watch: A new state-by-state look finds the U.S. EV push is now uneven as federal support for credits and charging has been rolled back, leaving cleaner-air goals at risk. Local Permits: Honolulu’s new building-permit system is speeding up home approvals while slowing business projects. Public Safety & Weather Tech: Oʻahu’s new “Hazard Explorer” lets residents check real-time flood and tsunami evacuation risks. Crime: A Liliha man was indicted in the beating death of his 70-year-old father. Health Equity: UH research finds Native Hawaiians face mobility limits earlier in life than other groups. Environment: An entangled humpback whale was freed from fishing gear off Massachusetts, with Hawaii sanctuary staff joining the response. Community & Culture: Maui’s Makahiki grant program opens June 10–July 10, and Molokai hosts a workshop to preserve kūpuna stories. Road/Transit: Pearl City’s Zipper Lane briefly closed after a Zipmobile mechanical issue.

Coastal Resilience: Honolulu’s Oʻahu Hazard Explorer is live, letting residents plug in an address to check tsunami, flood, dam/levee and wildfire risk so families can update plans before the next emergency. Wildfire & Evacuation: Leeward Oʻahu residents are still pushing for better wildfire evacuation options after recent brush-fire scares highlighted how limited routes can trap people. Housing Pressure: A new Harvard housing report paints a grim national picture—high costs, weak mobility, and more households stuck paying too much—while Hawaii’s affordability fight continues. Local Courts & Safety: A West Hawaii couple accused in a fatal Ocean View dog mauling face separate court dates, and Big Island police identified a teen who died in a fiery Daniel K. Inouye Highway crash. Military & Policy: The U.S. Department of War restored the name U.S. Pacific Command, keeping headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaiʻi. Health Alerts: Hawaii’s DOH warned about Nara Organics infant formula due to potential botulism contamination.

Violent Crime: Honolulu Police arrested a 37-year-old suspect in the early-morning Keeaumoku fatal shooting, with charges pending after the case was upgraded from attempted murder to murder. Another Shooting Case: A man charged with attempted murder in the Hopaka St. shooting remains in custody as prosecutors move forward. Drugs Enforcement: DEA and FBI agents carried out a warrant-based drug enforcement operation in Mililani, with details still developing. Public Safety: Hawaii Island police are investigating a fatal head-on crash in Mountain View that killed a 24-year-old Hilo motorcyclist; speed and reckless driving are suspected. Health Alert: Hawaiʻi DOH warned parents about a Nara Organics powdered infant formula recall tied to potential botulism risk, including symptoms to watch for. Local Economy: DBEDT projects Hawaiʻi’s growth to moderate to 1.6% in 2026. Weather/Surf: NWS expects high tides to linger after weekend rescues, keeping lifeguards busy. Community & Culture: Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission highlights Pride Month recognition and Pride flag-raising at the Capitol. Business/Travel: Hawaiian Airlines will end free economy meals on most Hawaii–mainland flights starting July 1.