AGP Executive Report

Midterm Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s push to restrict mail ballots, clearing the way for states to keep using existing mail-voting rules as voting is already underway. Hawaiʻi Weather: Trade winds strengthen today into Wednesday with mostly typical conditions, then moisture from Tropical Storm Norbert’s remnants brings wetter weather and possible heavy showers later in the week. Maui Wildfires Recovery: FEMA approved about $8.2 million for Public Assistance and hazard mitigation, including more than $1.1 million reimbursed to the County of Maui for emergency protective measures. Native Hawaiians & Medicaid: Native Hawaiians were left out of Medicaid work-requirement exemptions granted to other Indigenous groups, raising concerns about access to care starting in January. Local Crime: Police arrested three people in Kona tied to multiple store thefts. Public Safety: Hawaiʻi County Police are investigating a death after an unidentified man was found with suspicious injuries in Hilo. Culture: HIFF46 opens with the world premiere of “The Navigator,” a made-in-Hawaiʻi documentary about Nainoa Thompson.

Supreme Court & Voting: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s mail-voting restrictions for the midterms, keeping the status quo so USPS can deliver ballots normally. Hawaiʻi Public Safety: Police are investigating the death of an unidentified man found with suspicious injuries near Kūawa Park in Hilo; an autopsy is scheduled. Health & Environment: UH researchers won a $3.6M NIH grant to study how legacy plantation-era pollution may still be affecting health today, including “forever chemicals.” Shoreline Protection: Hawaiʻi is testing a “living breakwater” off Kalaeloa—60 concrete reef structures meant to reduce wave energy and erosion. Kauaʻi Recovery: One week after Hurricane Lowell, Kauaʻi schools reopened for most students as power restoration reached about 82%, with pockets still dark. Crime: On Hawaiʻi Island, a multi-agency operation led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man tied to meth and firearms charges; in Kona, three people were arrested in connection with store thefts. Community & Culture: Winners were announced for the 20th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition at Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Insurance Help: Hawaiʻi officials promoted a free online tool to help families find unclaimed life insurance and annuity benefits.

Hurricane recovery and schools: Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation is urging President Trump to quickly approve Presidential Major Disaster Declarations for communities hit by Hurricanes Lowell and Lala, aiming to unlock faster federal help for response and rebuilding. Local education updates: On Kauaʻi, Kīlauea Elementary and Hanalei Elementary are set to reopen on a staggered schedule after Hurricane Lowell—Kīlauea returns Tuesday, Hanalei to employees Tuesday and students Wednesday—while transportation routes remain disrupted. Weather watch: Moisture from Tropical Storm Norbert is expected to bring more showers and muggy conditions, with the heaviest rain risk Wednesday through Friday, especially windward and mauka areas. Public health alert: The CDC says rabies inquiries and post-exposure treatment use have risen this summer and reminds clinicians when to administer vaccines and immunoglobulins. Immigration legal fight: New York and other states are suing to block a Trump DHS “public charge” rule that could make green cards harder for people using public benefits. Air service: Mokulele won a four-year, $19.4 million federal contract to keep scheduled Lanai service connecting to Honolulu and Kahului through August 2030.

Hurricane Lowell recovery: Kaua‘i communities keep rallying as power returns—KIUC says about 81% of members have electricity, with North Shore restorations expected to start within days, while businesses like Big Nick’s in Hanalei give away hot meals to prevent food waste. Courts & public services: Honolulu District Court at Kauikeaouli Hale closed Monday due to loss of water and air conditioning; hearings shift to Kaneohe District Court or Honolulu Circuit Court, and the filing deadline extends to Tuesday. Earthquake watch: A magnitude-4.0 quake struck south of Pāhala Sunday morning; HVO says light shaking was reported and damage is not expected, though aftershocks are possible. Weather: Norbert is weakening and expected to fall apart well east of Hawai‘i; remnants may bring on-and-off showers and a possible Flood Watch Thursday–Friday. Health & community events: Kapi‘olani Medical Center’s 20th annual Radiothon for Kids runs Sept. 17–18, raising funds for care for keiki. Local safety: Honolulu firefighters rescued an injured hiker from Manoa Falls Trail after a 30-foot fall. Sports: The Lions opened the season with an overtime win over the Saints.

Hurricane Lowell recovery in Kauai: Power restoration and cleanup efforts continue as outside crews join restoration work, with county updates and ongoing advisories for residents and visitors. Tourism and public safety: Hawaii tourism officials urged travelers to postpone Kauai trips while damage assessments and repairs disrupt parts of the island. Local governance and services: Honolulu’s office building overhaul adds affordable rental units, while Oahu and statewide agencies keep responding to storm impacts and infrastructure needs. Environment and science: Hawaii researchers are using land-based coral nurseries to bring back a rare Kaneohe Bay coral species after it vanished from the wild, and NOAA’s El Niño research mission resumes with drones diverted around Lowell. Sports: UH snapped a losing streak with its first win of 2026 over New Mexico State, and Hawaii’s volleyball and Hilo volleyball also posted wins. Culture: Disney Lorcana World Championships are set for Aulani on Oahu in December.

Hurricane Lowell Recovery (Kauaʻi): KIUC says power is back for about 76% of Kauaʻi customers, with outages still reported on the North Shore and parts of Līhuʻe, Kalaheo, Koloa, Kekaha and Kokee, as crews and additional utility personnel continue repairs. Disaster Support: Hawaiʻi expands its Statewide Disaster Case Management Program to households hit by Hurricanes Lowell and Lala, adding more case managers and local partner services to help with housing navigation and benefits. Water & Utilities: Kauaʻi water officials urge islandwide conservation while pumps run on emergency generators, and crews respond to a 1,200-gallon wastewater spill at the Hanapepe Fire Station sewer pump station after an equipment malfunction. Storm Watch (Norbert): Tropical Storm Norbert is weakening and is expected to pass south of the islands as moisture could still bring rain and possible flooding later this week. Local Life & Community: The Waipahu Public Library marks 30 years with family events, and the Hawaiʻi National Guard helps run expanded Kauaʻi food distributions after Lowell.

Hurricane Lowell recovery: Kauaʻi continues to rebuild after the storm, with officials reporting power restoration progress and ongoing repairs, while residents and visitors are urged to stay cautious as outages and water advisories linger. Tropical weather watch: Tropical Storm Norbert remains on track to potentially strengthen in the East Pacific, keeping Hawaii’s forecast teams focused on possible impacts through the weekend. Local public safety: A Honolulu man was sentenced to 10 years tied to a drug-trafficking conspiracy, underscoring ongoing enforcement efforts. Sports—Hawaii on the national stage: Kalihi’s Andre Ilagan advanced in U.S. Open qualifying, saying he “belongs” at the sport’s biggest venue. Arts & climate: Five Hawaiʻi artists were selected for the second Hawaiʻi Climate Action Artist Residency cohort, blending community storytelling with climate action. Statewide services: Hawaii National Guard and state agencies continue disaster support and recovery coordination across affected islands.

Hurricane Lowell recovery on Kauaʻi: Gov. Josh Green says about 72% of Kauaʻi power is back, with KIUC restoring most transmission lines and crews pushing on the North Shore; Līhuʻe Airport is operating again after power problems, though travelers faced major delays during the outage. Niʻihau welfare concerns: With no public damage photos yet, families with ties to Niʻihau say some buildings were wrecked and communication has been limited; Kauaʻi officials say they’re in close contact with the island’s owners and residents. Dialysis and emergency transport: The Hawaiʻi National Guard flew critical-care dialysis patients from Kauaʻi to Oʻahu after airport screening equipment went down during outages. Water safety: Brown-water advisories are in effect statewide, and Kauaʻi issued a boil water notice for parts of the island. Community help: Relief groups are distributing grants and gift cards, while the Hawaiʻi Foodbank plans free emergency meal packs for disaster prep. Oʻahu local updates: The Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor parking lot reopened after storm repairs, and Honolulu marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with ceremonies at HNL and across the island.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Kauai crews started repairing the island’s only cargo port as power restoration continued after the storm’s western-edge pass; officials reported at least two deaths, and tourism leaders urged visitors to reschedule while Lanai’s harbor—key for food and fuel—was expected to take about two weeks to repair. Emergency Response & Infrastructure: The storm was described as the worst since Iniki, with widespread outages, damaged roads and oceanfront impacts, and ongoing cleanup and brown-water advisories across affected areas. Local Public Safety: Hawai‘i Island police arrested Kealakekua man John Gonzalez on a grand jury indictment charging him with promoting child abuse after investigators found sexually explicit images on an electronic device. Volcano Update: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s “Volcano Watch” highlighted Kīlauea trail access and the history behind the Footprints Trail near the summit. Community & Culture: WWE says it plans to return to Hawaii regularly, with October house shows at Blaisdell Arena and a tryout. Health Policy: The White House said it will send $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, tied to user fees charged on Healthcare.gov.

Hurricane Lowell recovery: Kauaʻi schools are set to reopen Monday after power returned to 9 of 15 campuses, while Kilauea and Hanalei still face outages and officials will decide by Friday. Airport disruption: Līhuʻe Airport security lines stretched to hours after generator problems left TSA resetting systems repeatedly; HDOT says flights are being spaced and cancellations aren’t expected. Local impacts: Ala Moana Regional Park fully reopened after cleanup, and PMRF gave an all-clear as recovery continues. Safety alerts: A flood advisory remains in effect for parts of the Big Island through 7 p.m. Missing person: Big Island police seek endangered 36-year-old Toriann Parish, last seen Sept. 10 in Waikōloa. State leadership: Marigold Zoll was selected to lead DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Community remembrance: Lāhainā Think Space will bring its Sept. 18 remembrance gathering to New York City. Health policy: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Hawaiʻi, will get $500 Obamacare refunds. Crime: A Kealakekua man was arrested on an indictment charging him with promoting child abuse.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Hawaii’s western islands are still dealing with the fallout, with reports linking the storm’s surge and winds to at least two deaths in Kauaʻi and officials warning damage and recovery will be long. Power & Cleanup: Kauaʻi utility crews say power restoration is underway but uneven, while the state and counties continue debris removal, repairs, and water advisories in storm-hit areas. Local Planning: Hawaiʻi County’s Planning Director has started interim amendments to General Plan 2045, with a 45-day public comment period running through Oct. 19. Homelessness Services: The County of Hawaiʻi is seeking an operator for the Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center, with proposals due Oct. 20. Weather Watch: Trade winds are gradually returning, but humidity remains high and showers are most likely over windward areas. Health Policy: Trump’s administration says it will mail $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million people in 30 states, including Hawaii. Education & Tech: UH launched a free online “Artificial Intelligence for Hawaii” course aimed at practical, responsible AI skills for the public.

Hurricane Lowell Recovery: Gov. Josh Green is pushing for an expedited federal disaster declaration for Kauaʻi and Maui, citing widespread power outages, blocked roads, and damage to essential services. Kauaʻi Power Update: KIUC says power is back for about 25% of Kauaʻi customers, including full restoration to Kauaʻi Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, with crews working to energize Wilcox Medical Center and repair transmission lines. Lanai Harbor Disruption: Kaumālapaʻu Harbor repairs are expected to take about two weeks, leaving the island’s only commercial harbor inoperable and fueling long gas and supply lines. Local Cleanup: Ala Moana Regional Park’s Magic Island area reopened, but the lagoon stays closed until at least Friday as crews remove sand and debris. Storm-Linked Death: A 74-year-old man found dead near Nomilu Fishpond in Kauaʻi is believed to be related to Lowell’s storm surge; an autopsy is pending. Public Safety Alerts: Oʻahu issued brown water guidance after the storm, and shark warning signs were posted at Three Tables. State Guidance on Solar Sales: Hawaiʻi warned residents about misleading door-to-door solar pitches, stressing the state doesn’t offer free solar systems and doesn’t do cold-calling. OHA Relief: The OHA Board authorized up to $362,800 in emergency assistance for Native Hawaiians impacted by Lowell, including direct household grants and support for community resource hubs.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Kauaʻi crews are clearing major roadways after the storm, with Kūhiō Highway still closed at Hanalei Bridge due to fallen poles and debris work continuing through Friday; officials also report progress on Maui County roads and ongoing cleanup across the islands. Power and Safety: The storm left widespread outages and flooding risk as warnings eased, while police reported a death in Waimānalo after a tree fell on a homeless man’s tent. Local Recovery Logistics: Young Brothers says port restrictions and harbor reopening decisions may shift sailing schedules, but Hilo, Kahului, Kaunakakai and Kawaihae are open for normal operations and storm-relief cargo will be prioritized. Community Support: Hawaiʻi Police Department is again running “Badges and Buckets” for Special Olympics Hawai‘i, with fundraising dates set at Walmart Kona and Walmart Hilo. State Policy: Hawaii’s Insurance Commissioner issued a declaration allowing temporary nonresident independent adjusters to help process Hurricane Lala and Lowell claims.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Lowell has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving away from Hawaii, but Kauaʻi is still dealing with major damage—about 90% of KIUC customers lost power, with crews starting transmission repairs and expecting longer outages for some areas. Oʻahu Recovery: Hawaiian Electric restored power to about 13,100 Oʻahu customers, with roughly 7,900 still without service; storm surge also buried Ala Moana Regional Park roads in sand, limiting access while cleanup continues. Public Health: The state Department of Health issued brown water advisories for Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and parts of Maui and Hawaiʻi island, urging people to avoid murky waters after storm runoff. Local Safety: A motorcyclist died in a Hilo crash after losing control and striking a utility pole; police are investigating. Business/Tech: Hawaiian Telcom announced faster business fiber options with symmetrical speeds and upgraded Wi‑Fi. Sports & Community: UH women’s soccer will play remaining home matches on the UH Lower Campus field with free admission.

Hurricane Lowell: Hawaii is bracing as Lowell batters the western islands with damaging winds, heavy rain, flash-flood risk, mudslides, and dangerous surf. Kauai and Niʻihau are under hurricane warnings, with a tornado watch issued for parts of Kauai; Oʻahu is under a tropical storm warning. Local Closures: Gov. Josh Green ordered closures of schools and government offices on Oʻahu and in Kauai County as conditions deteriorate. Health & Safety: The state is also offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible women, and Hawaii’s DOH is urging residents to prepare for impacts. Community & Services: Hawaii County’s Lincoln Park Tennis Courts reopened with repairs and a new online reservation system. Tech & Science: UH researchers are using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope to capture tiny solar vortices that may help explain solar flares. Business/Travel: Southwest announced its first-ever airport lounges, including Honolulu, with openings starting late 2027.

Hurricane Lowell: Hawaii is in emergency mode as Lowell nears the western islands, with a Hurricane Warning for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau and Tropical Storm Warning for Oʻahu. The storm is moving north-northeast with 110 mph winds, bringing 6–10 inches of rain (up to 16 inches in spots), flash flooding, damaging surf, and possible tornadoes. Closures & preparations: UH Oʻahu campuses and Kauaʻi CC closed Tuesday, along with state and county offices on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi State Judiciary operations on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi; courts will reschedule Tuesday hearings. The City suspends permitted camping and outdoor park activities and opens a hurricane refuge area at Nānākuli Elementary. Local impacts: Road closures are already underway on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu as flooding and high surf worsen. Science & alerts: UH’s Hawaiʻi Mesonet launched a real-time Lowell rainfall and wind site updated every 15 minutes, urging residents to follow NWS and emergency management guidance.