AGP Executive Report

Hawaiʻi Weather & Surf: Trade winds are expected to strengthen into the weekend, with breezy conditions and rising east shore surf; a wind advisory could be needed for some areas, and trades may ease Sunday as Genevieve’s remnants linger nearby. Volcano Watch: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense administrator Talmadge Magno is retiring Aug. 1 after years steering response efforts through eruptions, storms, fires, and other major hazards. Local Health & Safety: Hawaii’s blood supply is under strain, with Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi seeking donations; meanwhile, the state’s DOH issued a red placard to Pier 21 Lunchroom in Honolulu. Governance & Accountability: OHA trustees are clashing over an independent investigative report tied to CEO allegations, as the agency also looks for a new CEO amid legal fights. Community & Infrastructure: Honolulu is lowering speed limits to 20 mph in school zones during school days, and the city is also dealing with a downtown power outage affecting twin office towers. Sports (Hawaii ties): The Mets traded lefty reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins; Hawaii native Bruin Agbayani is among the prospects coming to New York.

Pedestrian Safety: A 65-year-old woman is in critical condition after being hit by a car in an Iwilei parking lot near Alakawa Street and Nimitz Highway around 1:50 p.m. Thursday; police haven’t said whether speed, alcohol or drugs were factors. Fire & Displacement: Maui firefighters battled a blaze that destroyed a home on Kahekili Highway, leaving three residents displaced; damage is estimated at $350,000 to $500,000. Courtroom Corruption Case: Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and three other officials pleaded not guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges tied to alleged COVID testing pay-to-play; prosecutors face questions from defense attorneys as a key defendant remains at large. Public Safety Policy: Honolulu lowered school-zone speed limits on Oahu from 25 to 20 mph during school days when children are present, with new signage planned near more than 200 schools. Maui Theft Probe: Police are investigating a luxury theft at Wailea where suspects allegedly stole $80,000+ in handbags and other items; a search warrant turned up more handbags, cash, and suspected cocaine. Housing Progress: Gov. Josh Green marked completion of Hoʻokahi Leo Kauhale Phase Two in Kalihi, adding 30 deeply affordable homes with supportive services. Wildfire Mitigation: Hawaiʻi Island groups received $1.8 million for wildfire fuel-reduction and preparedness projects through the 2026 Urban Interface grant program. Local Crime: Honolulu police are investigating an arson at an unoccupied Alewa Heights home where a basement fire was intentionally set.

Hurricane & Weather Watch: Trade winds are expected to return after Tropical Cyclone Fausto weakens and moves away, with muggy conditions lingering and surf trends shifting as swells from the wider Pacific build. Public Health: Federal officials say food-illness surveillance is “working better than ever” even as cyclosporiasis cases climb to 45 states, with outbreaks tied to contaminated produce. Local Disaster Response: TRICARE is authorizing emergency prescription refills for Main Island, Hawaii, through Aug. 6 due to the Kawaihae Road Fire. Community & Services: Child & Family Service will hold a blessing for its new permanent Hilo location, expanding help for domestic violence, counseling, and family support. Honolulu Infrastructure: A downtown power outage at twin office towers highlights ongoing strain as Kakaako’s electricity capacity becomes a bottleneck for major projects. RIMPAC & Defense: RIMPAC 2026 continues around Hawaiʻi with dozens of nations and new autonomous systems trials, including unmanned maritime experiments.

Kīlauea Update: Episode 52 at Halemaʻumaʻu ended early Wednesday after lava fountaining that sent the north vent up to about 500 feet, with tephra mostly limited to the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Maui Justice: Maui Police arrested three more teens tied to the July 17 Kāʻanapali resort riot, bringing the total to six juveniles; investigators say charges may include bias or gang-related conduct. Hilo Drugs Case: A 45-year-old Hilo man was charged after police seized about 1.75 pounds of cocaine in a vice operation at a public park; bail set at $500,000. Storm Water Training: Honolulu’s Storm Water Quality Division will hold its BMPS workshop July 30–31 at Sheraton Waikiki to help improve storm water management. Ocean Science: UH Hilo researchers identified the first known blacktip shark nursery habitat in Hilo Bay, with juveniles present year-round. Community & Culture: State Sen. Lorraine Inouye announced $350,000 for design and initial site prep for the Panaʻewa Hub, a homestead-driven community center in South Hilo. Local Business: Kam Bowl reopened as Ali’i Diner, keeping longtime favorites like loco moco and chicken katsu.

Kīlauea Update: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park says Episode 52’s lava fountaining at Halemaʻumaʻu ended early Wednesday, with the alert level lowered to advisory and aviation code to yellow after about 7.5 hours of activity. Tropical Weather: Tropical Depression Fausto is passing north of the islands, bringing light winds but localized heavy showers and keeping a High Surf Warning in place for east-facing shores as dangerous surf continues. Local Environment: The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity approved expanding the coconut rhinoceros beetle-infested area in West Hawaiʻi, adding new Kailua-Kona boundaries where host-material transport now requires compliance agreements and training. Public Safety & Health: A new study using the largest-ever killer whale elemental dataset links tissue chemistry to health and environment, drawing on 25 years of samples from stranded whales across the Pacific. Politics/Accountability: U.S. Rep. Ed Case says federal scrutiny of Hawaii’s COVID-19 contracts could follow the Sylvia Luke bribery indictment, raising the prospect of audits tied to FEMA spending. Sports: UH women’s volleyball completed its coaching staff with Will McDonald, while Hawaii men’s basketball added Australian Lueth Awan.

Housing & Courts: DHHL is responding to a lawsuit over alleged evictions of non-Native Hawaiians tied to the Courtyards at Waipouli Apartments in East Kauaʻi, saying the case attacks the Native Hawaiian rehabilitation program’s constitutionality. Power & Business Disruption: Tenants at Honolulu’s Topa Financial Center are dealing with a sixth-day outage after a chiller leak damaged critical equipment; some businesses are relocating or using generators. Safety on Oʻahu Roads: Hawaiʻi raised the minimum age to ride in pickup truck beds from 12 to 16, with residents weighing in after Oʻahu hit an 18-year high in road deaths. Public Works: The City will clear Mānoa Stream starting Aug. 3 to reduce flooding risk and improve drainage flow. Environment & Biosecurity: DLNR approved expanding the designated coconut rhinoceros beetle-infested area on Hawaiʻi Island, effective July 29. Weather: Tropical Storm Fausto is weakening north of the islands, but a High Surf Warning remains for east shores through Wednesday. Crime: Police are investigating a machete assault in Waipahu and a separate attempted murder case in Mililani; a hit-and-run on Sand Island Access Road left a 21-year-old in critical condition. Health Research: UH Mānoa research links gut bacteria patterns to differences in biological aging. State Parks Leadership: Alan B. Carpenter was chosen to lead DLNR’s Division of State Parks.

Tropical Weather: Hurricane Genevieve remains a powerful Category 4 in the Pacific while Tropical Storm Fausto weakens but is still expected to bring significant surf to the Hawaiian Islands, with dangerous conditions and beach closures reported for exposed east-facing shores. Local Safety & Preparedness: Hawaii residents are urged to get ready for Fausto’s impacts as the storm passes north of the islands, with officials warning about strong currents and surf. Pacific & Defense: The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed carrier USS George Washington is operating in the South China Sea, and RIMPAC live-fire activity included sinking decommissioned ships off Kauai. Hawaii Community & Health: A major kidney transplant milestone is highlighted: kidneys recovered in Honolulu were transported long-distance for successful transplants using the KidneyVault renal perfusion system. Elections & Courts: A judge ruled Tommy Waters ineligible for a third Honolulu City Council term, keeping the focus on local governance ahead of the primary. Business & Travel: Alaska Airlines plans to expand its Boeing 737 freighter fleet, with added cargo capacity aimed at serving Alaska and Hawai‘i.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Fausto is weakening but still expected to pass north of Hawaiʻi Tuesday night into Wednesday, with humid conditions and a big surf story—an east-facing High Surf Warning stays in effect through Wednesday. Local Preparedness: Hawaiian Electric says crews are monitoring Fausto and urges customers to review emergency plans and use its multilingual storm handbook. Maui Recovery: A UHERO study finds Maui wildfire survivors have made progress since 2023, but many still face food insecurity, unstable housing, and gaps in mental health and medical access. Jobs & Community: The Hawaii Career Expo returns to the Blaisdell Center July 29 with free entry and recruiters from 100+ employers. Elections: Voter service centers are open statewide through Aug. 8 for in-person voting, registration, and accessible ballots. Public Safety & Infrastructure: FEMA approved federal funding for South Kohala fire costs, and Honolulu’s Centennial Park Waikiki stays closed while a fencing renovation begins. Environment: Surfrider reports cigarette butts are the most common litter found in Maui, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu cleanups. Politics: The Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association endorsed Maui Mayor Richard Bissen for reelection.

Hurricane Fausto Watch: Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves north of Hawaii, but forecasters warn the main risk is dangerous surf and rip currents along east-facing shores through Tuesday, with possible stronger winds and heavy rain bands—so residents and visitors are urged to keep monitoring and review preparedness plans. Pacific Storm Update: Hurricane Genevieve has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm in the eastern Pacific but is expected to stay far from land, with only Mexico/Baja swells flagged as potentially life-threatening. Local Housing & Homelessness: Nonprofits are pushing to develop and preserve affordable housing as political pressure and funding uncertainty threaten programs aimed at keeping people housed. State Politics: Hawaii’s Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke faces indictment in a COVID testing bribery/pay-to-play scheme, adding to the state’s corruption fallout. Business & Finance: Bank of Hawai‘i reports solid Q2 results, while broader U.S. shoppers keep changing habits as grocery prices hit their biggest jump in 50 years. National Legal Fight: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joins a coalition suing the Trump administration over alleged unlawful conditions tied to counterterrorism and emergency funding. Travel/Events: Obama’s live interview tour brings him to Belfast this October, with tickets set to go on sale soon.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it nears the Hawaiian Islands, with forecasters expecting it to pass north of the state Tuesday night into Wednesday; even without a direct hit, Hawaii should still brace for dangerous surf and rough marine conditions, especially along east- and north-facing shores. Local Roads & Safety: Straub Benioff Medical Center utility work starts Monday, with lane and sidewalk closures near South King Street and Kealamakai Street for about a month; separately, crews repaired a damaged hydrant on Young Street, causing delays. Honolulu Injuries: An e-scooter rider was hospitalized after losing control and being ejected near Artesian Street and South King Street. Elections: Hawaii voter service centers open Monday through Aug. 8 for in-person registration and accessible voting; voting closes Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Food & Economy: A new study suggests Hawaii could revive rice production using Japanese varieties and traditional irrigation, potentially boosting food security. Community Events: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue will give away free SPAM musubi on Aug. 8 for National SPAM Musubi Day. Human Interest: A California man missing at sea for over a month was found alive drifting off Hawaii. Sports: Australian paddleboard champion Charlie Verco broke his own world record in the Moloka’i to O’ahu crossing.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Fausto churns east of Hawai‘i as forecasters expect dangerous surf and rip currents even if the storm weakens before landfall; residents are urged to keep monitoring updates. Local Politics: Hawai‘i’s Democratic lieutenant governor, Sylvia Luke, was indicted by a state grand jury in a bribery and COVID-contract conspiracy, prompting Gov. Josh Green to call for her resignation. Courtroom Timeline: Prosecutors laid out key dates in the Luke bribery case, including alleged payments tied to legislation and testing contracts. Big Island Roads: Hawai‘i DOT announced weekday lane closures through July 31 on multiple Big Island highways for striping, pole work, and vegetation cutting. Community Health: Tropic Care 2026 returned to Hawai‘i Island, delivering more than $1 million in free medical, dental, optometry, and mental health services through one-stop clinics. Public Safety: Rescue tubes are expanding statewide, with a $200,000 grant aimed at installing hundreds more to prevent drownings at hazardous coastal spots. Kokua Line: Honolulu’s new DMV $20 veteran registration exemption starts with 2027 renewals for eligible 65+ veterans. Science & Space: Mauna Kea astronomers using the Keck Observatory confirmed ancient quasars from the Euclid mission, including some among the most distant ever seen.

Hurricane Fausto Prep: Hawaii officials are urging residents to review emergency plans and stock supplies as the Category 2 storm tracks near the islands, with dangerous surf expected to build late this weekend into early next week. Ocean Safety: A high surf advisory remains for south-facing shores, and officials warn people to avoid Makapuu tide pools as swells can surge without warning. Local Impacts: Young Brothers says it’s monitoring Fausto and could see harbor surge that may delay safe berthing and cargo handling. Public Safety: Honolulu police are investigating a Kapahulu hit-and-run that seriously injured a 64-year-old pedestrian, and a Kalihi man faces robbery charges after an alleged knife threat and carjacking. Business Disruption: Topa Financial Center in downtown Honolulu is still without power after an air-conditioning chiller leak damaged key electrical equipment, displacing nearly 100 tenants. Military & Training: RIMPAC moved ashore with land-assault training at Bellows, and U.S. and partner forces sank two retired Navy ships in a SINKEX. Politics: Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke was indicted in a bribery-related corruption case tied to a COVID-19 testing contract. Environment: DLNR warns the public to stay out of the water near a humpback whale carcass off Molokai’s south shore.

Hurricane Fausto Watch: Hawaii is bracing as Hurricane Fausto strengthens to Category 2, with officials warning of life-threatening surf and rip currents as swells are expected to reach the islands by July 26; the U.S. Coast Guard has set Port Condition Whiskey for all commercial ports. Local Politics: Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others were indicted by an Oahu grand jury in a bribery conspiracy tied to COVID-19 testing contracts, as Gov. Josh Green calls for Luke’s resignation. Public Safety & Justice: A Puna man, Jacob Baker, pleaded not guilty to charges in the May killings of three men, with a bail hearing set for Aug. 11. Transit Costs: HART advanced a $53 million change order for Skyline’s rail systems contractor, citing schedule delays and owner-directed scope changes for Segment 3. Community & Health: DOH confirmed two additional travel-related cyclosporiasis cases in Hawaii residents. Sports: UH Hilo women’s soccer added 16 newcomers for the season.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Fausto strengthened to Category 2 as it moves west in the Central Pacific, with Hawaiʻi facing rising risk of wind, rain and hazardous surf as early as Monday night, prompting city and emergency managers to urge residents to review preparedness plans. Local Politics: Oʻahu grand jury indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others in a sweeping public corruption probe tied to the state’s COVID-19 community testing program, with Luke facing bribery-related charges and bail set at $80,000. Public Health: Hawaiʻi DOH confirmed two more travel-related cyclosporiasis cases among residents who traveled together, bringing 2026 total confirmed cases in the state to three, with no sign of local spread. Immigration & Economy: Human rights advocates say new Hawaii immigrant justice laws are aimed at easing the chilling effects of ICE enforcement on families, workers and local businesses. Community & Culture: HTA’s Kūkulu Ola program awarded nearly $900,000 in cultural grants, including four Maui Nui organizations supporting education, stewardship and cultural programming. Sports Academics: UH Mānoa volleyball programs swept AVCA Team Academic Awards, including men’s, women’s indoor and beach teams.

Hurricane Watch: Hurricane Fausto has strengthened to Category 2 and is expected to approach the Hawaiian Islands next week, with forecasters warning that wind and rainfall impacts are becoming more likely and that dangerous surf and rip currents could develop. Local Weather & Safety: Hawaii News Now reports breezy trade winds and periodic windward showers through Friday, then a calmer weekend before Fausto’s potential effects midweek. State & Federal Legal Fight: Hawaii is among 25 states suing the Trump administration over disaster-aid conditions tied to election and immigration requirements, arguing the limits are unlawful. Local Governance: Honolulu Council Chair pitches tax breaks amid a competitive reelection push, as local affordability concerns stay front and center. Community & Health: Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi and UH Hilo granted a teen with leukemia a $10,000 college tuition wish. Local Services: A Puna Big Island woman says USPS door-to-door delivery gaps have left her waiting years for a PO box, highlighting rural access problems. Business: First Hawaiian, Inc. reported second-quarter results and declared a $0.26 dividend.

High Surf Advisory: The National Weather Service extended a high surf advisory for Hawaiʻi’s south-facing shores, forecasting 8 to 12-foot surf and dangerous currents through Friday, with the possibility of more extensions. Volcano Watch: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says Kīlauea’s summit eruption remains paused, but summit inflation resumed and the next lava-fountaining episode is now forecast between July 25 and July 29. RIMPAC Military Drills: RIMPAC 2026 sinking exercises off Kauaʻi featured helicopter-launched anti-ship strikes, including an F/A-18F Super Hornet carrying LRASM, underscoring the push for long-range, coalition maritime warfare. Local Community & Environment: Waikiki Aquarium launched its “Adopt-A-Polyp” fundraiser to rebuild the Edge of the Reef exhibit and support coral conservation. Workforce & Economy: Bayer filed WARN notices tied to farm-operation consolidation on Maui and Oʻahu, affecting about 76 employees. Public Safety: Honolulu firefighters responded to a Topa Tower high-rise incident after reports of fire; residents were evacuated while crews investigated an electrical-related issue, with no flames found.