AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Lowell Preparedness: Kauaʻi and Niʻihau issued tropical storm and hurricane watches as Lowell churned north, with flood watches statewide and cancellations including the Kauai Marathon & Half Marathon. Emergency Response Gaps: A new look at Hawaii’s firefighting and flood-rescue readiness follows scrutiny after earlier storm impacts, pushing more training and equipment upgrades. Water Restoration Delays: About 60 Big Island accounts still lack water after Hurricane Lala, as Hawaii County targets repairs to the Mountain House Spring transmission line. AI for Local Industries: UH launched a free “Artificial Intelligence for Hawai‘i” course (tourism and agriculture included) and received $2M from NSF to build AI tools to detect threats to food production systems. Business & Government Operations: Hawaii regulators warned of scams spoofing DCCA calls to pressure licensed professionals. State Land Funding: DLNR opened Legacy Land Conservation Program applications for FY2027 land acquisition grants, with $5.3M expected. Energy Costs: Labor Day gasoline hit record territory nationwide, with Hawaii among the highest averages.

Hurricane Lowell Response: Verizon is waiving Kaua‘i call/text/data charges through Sept. 14 and pre-staging backup generators, satellite messaging, and equipment with HIEMA and power partners as Major Hurricane Lowell nears the islands. Energy & Costs: AAA says Labor Day gasoline is on track to break records, with Hawaii among the highest-priced states around $5.40 a gallon, driven by Middle East-related fuel supply pressures. Land & Agriculture Funding: DLNR is accepting applications for FY2027 Legacy Land Conservation Program land acquisition grants, continuing its push to protect ʻāina with state Land Conservation Fund support. Disaster Aid Deadline: Hawaiʻi County earthquake victims have until Nov. 1 to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance tied to the May Kona quake. Seabed Mining Policy: A House Rules Committee move rejected a bid to block seabed mining from FAST-41 expedited review, keeping deep-sea mining eligible for faster federal permitting. Local Infrastructure & Housing: Young Brothers named new leadership for external affairs and marketing, while Honolulu’s Chinatown Wo Fat Building sold for $2M with plans for residences, retail, and a building-history museum.

Hurricane Lowell Response: Gov. Josh Green and Kauaʻi County leaders say they’re mobilizing early as the storm re-strengthens to Category 4–5, with Kauaʻi and Niʻihau facing the biggest risk of hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous surf even if the center stays offshore. Local Infrastructure & Utilities: Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services released details on four wastewater spills during Tropical Storm Lala, blaming heavy rainfall, surging flows, and power-related equipment failures—at Sand Island, debris overwhelmed screens and sent about 26.1 million gallons toward Honolulu Harbor. Housing & Construction Pipeline: A tour for 50 young Oʻahu professionals gave an inside look at affordable housing development and the zoning hurdles behind projects like Hoopili and The Park, plus the roles of HHFDC and HCDA. Food & Retail: Hawaiian Chip Company is launching Mānoa Mix, an officially licensed UH snack line, timed for the Rainbow Warriors’ UNLV opener. Land Conservation Funding: DLNR’s Legacy Land Conservation Program is accepting FY2027 applications for land acquisition grants to protect ʻāina with natural, cultural, agricultural, and historic value. Education Recognition: Sixteen Hawaii educators were named complex area or charter school 2027 Teachers of the Year, with a statewide winner to be announced Sept. 21.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Hawaii is bracing for a second major storm impact in weeks as Category 3 Lowell nears the western islands, bringing tropical-storm-force winds, flash-flood and mudslide risk, and dangerous surf that could last days. Small-Business Relief: O‘ahu businesses hit by the Kona Low (March 10–23) can apply for one-time $5,000 or $10,000 grants starting Sept. 9 through the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. Maui Water Infrastructure: The Maui County Council committee advanced a plan to develop three new Waiʻōhuli groundwater wells and a transmission system to support DHHL homestead housing, with engineering consultants lined up and the bill headed to the full Council. Energy Costs & Shipping Pressure: Diesel hit record highs, pushing up costs for freight, delivery, and agricultural machinery—an added drag for everyday goods as shipping costs rise. Defense & Tech on O‘ahu: The Pentagon’s Blue List team visited Hawaii during RIMPAC to assess unmanned systems and additive manufacturing, including drone production and counter-UAS training. Local Real Estate: Honolulu’s historic Wo Fat Building in Chinatown has a new owner after years vacant, with plans to convert upper floors to residences and activate ground-floor retail.

Agribusiness & Food Security: DBEDT deputy director Dane Wicker says Hawaii’s Agribusiness Development Corporation is shifting from talk to action—acquiring land, retrofitting facilities, and funding the water, utilities, processing, and transport farmers need to turn food security plans into operating assets. Public Transit & Mobility: Honolulu’s Skyline hit a new weekday ridership high as the fall semester began, with 14,143 rides recorded Aug. 26 and bus connections helping push nearly 20% of Oʻahu’s daily public transit ridership. Ocean & Culture Planning: OHA has started exploratory talks with the City on the Kakaʻako Makai Kewalo-area ocean engineering site, floating a Native Hawaiian cultural center and an ocean safety headquarters. Energy Storage: Hawaii Energy Connection/FranklinWH topped 1,000 residential battery installs, as regulators consider a virtual power plant program to pay homeowners for grid support. Hurricane Lowell Watch: Forecasters say Lowell’s turn near Kauaʻi and Niʻihau is the key risk, with breezy trades and building surf expected into the weekend. Water & Wastewater Costs: Big Island sewer rates are set for a major hike proposal, with the council deferring action after public pushback. Local Agriculture Boom: ʻUlu production is surging—up 34% per year since 2017—though storm impacts could temporarily slow output. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved major disaster aid for the May 22 Kona earthquake, unlocking Individual Assistance for eligible Hawaiʻi County residents. Maui Resilience: Hua Momona Foundation will deliver zero-cost rain catchment kits to 120 West Maui households.

Energy & Grid Resilience: Hawaii Energy Connection (KumuKit™) hit 1,000 residential battery installs statewide, as Oʻahu regulators weigh a virtual power plant plan that could pay homeowners for sending stored power back to the grid. Disaster Preparedness: Pacific Missile Range Facility emergency management officer Kelly Balmores highlights how Kauaʻi’s community ties and training help during crises. Weather & Risk: Scientists warn a “supersized” El Niño is driving a rare trio of Pacific cyclones, with swells and rip-current danger flagged for Hawaiʻi as the islands recover from Hurricane Lala. Construction & Infrastructure: A 200-foot “Big Blue” crane built in Manitowoc is nearing its final move to Pearl Harbor after riding out Hurricane Lala in harbor. Local Public Safety: Honolulu is expanding MH3—an involuntary intervention program for severe mental illness and substance abuse—after about 150 interventions since launch. Sustainability & Materials: HDOT’s Fort Weaver Road plastic-modified asphalt test used recycled plastic equivalent to ~195,000 bottles, raising questions about what happens to the material after it’s paved. Workforce & Training: Hawaii’s Ten Hawaii Adults program placed construction job offers after just 10 weeks of free training.

Disaster Resilience & Grid Hardening: FEMA is sending Hawaii more than $18M to strengthen the electrical grid after Hurricane Lala knocked out power for about 60% of Hawaiian Electric customers, with consumer advocates pushing for more public accountability and faster fixes. Storm Risk & Infrastructure Strain: A rare “train” of Pacific cyclones tied to a strong El Niño—Hurricanes Lowell and Karina plus Tropical Storm Marie—could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to parts of the islands, keeping recovery pressure on local systems. Local Housing & Accessibility: Honolulu residents in high-rises are still dealing with long elevator outages after Lala, leaving some seniors effectively trapped and highlighting aging building vulnerabilities. Energy Shelter Readiness: Reporting on shelter capacity and power needs points to gaps in how many sites can withstand major storms and keep lights, refrigeration, and medical equipment running. Industrial Zoning & Logistics: Honolulu’s Planning Commission deferred Amazon’s request to raise the height limit for its $600M Project Savoy fulfillment center in Kapolei, delaying a decision on a major West Oahu warehouse expansion. Workforce & Construction Pipeline: Ten Honolulu adults completed a tuition-free construction and skilled trades track and immediately secured job offers or apprenticeships at Lowe’s Hawaiʻi, signaling momentum for faster trade hiring. Tourism & Hospitality Growth: Quorum Hospitality took over management of the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay, adding programming and aiming to enhance the guest experience. Aviation Premiumization: Southwest Airlines announced its first airport lounges—Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville—opening in late 2027 with access tied to a new Chase premium credit card.

Aviation & Tourism: Southwest Airlines is rolling out its first-ever airport lounge network, with construction underway at Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye), and Nashville, targeting late-2027 openings and access via a new Chase-issued premium Rapid Rewards card. Local Infrastructure: DLNR says phased construction at Oʻahu’s Kahana Bay boat ramp starts Sept. 8, replacing the loading dock first (through Oct. 16) and the ramp later (Feb.–May 2027), with the facility closed Sept. 8–11 for staging. Healthcare Policy: Hawaii AG William Tong led a coalition of 22 states challenging a Trump administration move that would block states from using federal Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth. Pacific Business & Defense Contracting: Three tribally owned firms won a $400M Air Force Pacific advisory contract covering engineering, logistics, and program management across bases including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Energy & Data Centers: Fervo Energy and Google signed a record 396-MW geothermal PPA to power data centers, with an option to expand toward nearly 1 GW. Pacific Geopolitics: China pressured Pacific Islands Forum members not to attend, while the U.S. announced $150M+ in Pacific investments, including fuel security and infrastructure support. Healthcare Contracting: A Hawaii insurer’s attribution-clause change reportedly removed about 450 patients from a primary care panel, cutting roughly $162,000/year in payments.

Hospitality Workforce: Hawaii hotel leaders honored workers on National Hotel Employee Day, highlighting tourism’s job engine and career pathways. Energy Policy Debate: A letter argues switching to LNG would conflict with Hawaii’s 2045 clean-energy goal, calling out mismatched planning assumptions. Wastewater Costs: Hospitality groups are pushing back on a Hawaii County bill that would raise sewer treatment costs for hotels amid broader rate hikes. Water Infrastructure & Agriculture: Editorial support for the state taking over the Wahiawa Reservoir to reduce overtopping flood risk and protect North Shore irrigation. Construction & Permitting Tech: An AI tool is now required for some Oahu building permit applications, signaling more automation in local approvals. Workforce Training: Hawaii’s C2C Workforce USA program held its first construction and skilled-trades graduation, with all students landing offers or apprenticeships. Disaster Recovery: Updates continue on Hurricane Lala recovery for Big Island water service and Kaʻū repairs. Pacific Shipping/Ports: The U.S. and New Zealand pledged $60M to upgrade a Cook Islands port at a former WWII base, tied to regional energy and critical minerals goals.

Permitting Tech on Oʻahu: Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting made an AI tool (CivCheck) mandatory for certain residential permit applications, aiming to flag plan issues before submission—projects that don’t complete the full process can be rejected. Maui Housing Buildout: Construction started on Kehalani Apartments in Wailuku, a 35-unit affordable community with units reserved for domestic violence survivors; completion is expected in January 2028. Navy Red Hill Work Recognized: NAVFAC Hawaiʻi physical scientist Caroline Rossi was named PAC AOR Employee of the Year for leading expansion of the Red Hill groundwater monitoring well network. Power Outage Costs: A new report highlights how long outages can drive major grocery spoilage costs, pushing households to plan ahead for food safety and waste. Hawaiʻi Island Storm Strain: After Hurricane Lala, Hawaiʻi Island faces a dangerous overlap of recovery and incoming weather, with officials warning of generator shortages and ongoing water system damage. Local Environment Rulemaking: The Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected renewed aquarium fish collection rules, keeping commercial collection banned for now. Energy Growth Spotlight: Sunspear Energy, a Hawaii solar and battery storage firm, earned a spot on Inc. 5000 (No. 2 in Hawaii) after 384% three-year revenue growth. Shipping Leadership: Pasha Group appointed shipping veteran Raymond Fitzgerald as president and COO effective Oct. 1, 2026. Weather Watch: Breezy trade winds and increasing rain chances are expected statewide as Hurricane Lowell’s moisture moves in, with the wettest conditions favoring windward and mauka areas.

Infrastructure Safety: A 2022 inspection report warned the Hilo-to-Coconut Island bridge was in “serious condition,” with corroded, severed strands and a recommendation for replacement—years before the collapse. Disaster Preparedness: An editorial argues Hawaii should expand “resilience hubs” that can keep food, charging, and services flowing when communities get cut off during storms and outages. Energy & Construction: After Hurricane Lala, Hawaii solar installers say demand for battery backups and generators has surged, but permitting and approvals can slow installs for some homeowners. Weather & Risk: Lowell is expected to bring gusty trade winds and possible major-hurricane strength south of the Big Island, raising the odds of wind advisories and heavier showers later. Local Economy & Design: UH architecture students presented Lahaina recovery concepts for a Lahaina Business Park project to the Maui Economic Recovery Commission. Public Accountability: A federal civil rights lawsuit says Waianae officials failed to enforce laws and building codes ahead of a 2024 mass shooting. Food Industry: Hawaii Energy Connection and other providers highlight how outages are reshaping home-energy decisions, while separate coverage notes ongoing food-safety inspections elsewhere. Sports & Community: The Hawaii Island Labor Day Classic puts Hilo at the center of girls volleyball with 36 teams across five sites.

Energy Resilience Funding: Hawaiʻi secured $18.5M in federal money to support about $25M in grid resilience and hazard mitigation across Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Oʻahu, including Critical Customer Hubs, grid “digital twin” monitoring, and upgrades to energy management systems. Utility Rates: Hawaii Water Service filed with the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission to recover costs for Kukio water and sewer upgrades, seeking roughly $2.73M in annual revenue. Disaster Recovery & Preparedness: State and county officials highlighted ongoing recovery needs after Tropical Cyclone Lala, while weather watchers flagged Hurricane Karina’s rapid intensification and additional Pacific storm activity. Housing Permitting Tech: Cities are turning to AI and new federal grants to speed up building code permitting by catching incomplete applications earlier. Local Business Growth: Obenauf Law Group opened a new Kailua-Kona office to expand estate planning and elder law services for West Hawaiʻi. Industry & Trade: A new patent dispute settlement grants Promier Products a limited license to Cree LED patents for portable lighting components. Aviation: Delta will end its Boston–Honolulu direct route on Jan. 4, 2027. Food Safety: Cyclospora infections topped 17,000 since May 1 as federal research support is reportedly being scaled back. Local Culture & Navigation: Polynesian Voyaging Society inducted six new Pwo navigators in Hawaiʻi, including two from the Big Island.

Air Travel & Tourism: Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook says lodging in top U.S. destinations—including Honolulu—will cost more this fall, with Honolulu projected about 10% higher for lodging and 2% higher for airfare. Aviation Industry: Delta has cut short its Boston–Honolulu route, shrinking winter options for Hawaii-bound travelers. Energy & Utilities: Par Pacific reported a huge jump in profit as high gas prices lifted margins, while Hawaii residents keep paying some of the highest fuel and electricity costs. Resilience & Infrastructure: Hawaii County water officials say storm outages exposed weak backup power capacity for water wells, and a separate report shows a Hilo-to-Coconut Island bridge was flagged as “serious condition” years before it failed. Local Governance & Waste: Kaua‘i mayoral candidates clash on how to fund recycling and diversion while planning a new landfill. Tech & Workforce: Hawaii Tech Week and Tech Days of Fall are rolling out dozens of events to connect students with AI and cybersecurity careers. Land & Housing: Over 300 acres in Hilo are set to transfer to Hawaiian Home Lands for connected residential and agricultural homestead development.

Hurricane Lala recovery: Maui’s ʻŌiwi Resources Department is framing Lahaina’s rebuilding through ancestral knowledge, pointing to long-buried waterways returning as a sign to “listen” to what’s already there. Agriculture: Big Island ranchers and farmers are still tallying Hurricane Lala damage, with early reports showing major losses to crops and water access. Energy resilience: Hawaii is moving forward on grid hardening, including $18.5M in federal support for electric grid resilience and hazard mitigation. Local governance & culture: Maui County is also advancing water-system acquisition in Launiupoko and Olowalu, while cultural stewardship debates continue at the federal level. Consumer & fraud: BBB Scam Tracker shows Honolulu leading Hawaii scam reports in July, with Pearl City also reporting losses. Workforce & education: Assets School students built a new playground and a planned performing arts space through major donations. Sports (UH): Rainbow Wahine volleyball pushed Baylor to five sets but fell 15-9 in the decider.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Big Island farmers and ranchers are still tallying damage after the storm, with early reports listing $761,150 across 57 operations and warnings that real losses may be far higher as Kau assessments continue. Power & Water Restoration: Hawaiian Electric says hundreds of Big Island customers remain without power due to access issues, while water service is being incrementally restored via filled tanks and downstream line repairs; officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary Kaʻū travel. Local Business Resilience: An Ocean View florist is working to restart after fallen Ohia trees crushed greenhouses and sheds, with recovery expected to take months. Agriculture & Food Safety: A study on stored paddy rice finds temperature can speed chemical aging and shift fungal communities, raising concerns about spoilage and mycotoxin risk. Deep-Sea Mining Oversight: NOAA opened a 60-day public comment period for a deep-sea mining project in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, moving toward an Environmental Impact Statement after a regulatory milestone. Construction & Infrastructure: A Big Island resident’s storm outage highlights the stakes of backup power for food storage, while a separate engineering conference item spotlights strategies to extend concrete service life. Consumer/Local Services: Honolulu’s “Kokua Line” addresses whether debit-card service fees are legal, with the city saying its practice complies with federal and local rules. Tourism & Development: Maui’s Mākena Mauka housing project advanced after density was cut by about a quarter amid public pushback, with phased construction starting in 2028.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaiian Electric says Big Island restoration is progressing, but “several hundred” customers still lack power due to equipment access, with crews also coordinating safe re-energization and Hawai‘i County Water Supply incrementally refilling tanks and repairing leaks. Deep-Sea Mining: NOAA opened a 60-day public comment period (through Oct. 19) for The Metals Company USA’s deep-sea mining bid in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, moving toward an Environmental Impact Statement after a regulatory compliance milestone. Local Construction & Infrastructure: Honolulu building expert Lance Luke presented “Extending the Life of Concrete” at an international structural faults and repair conference in Edinburgh, focusing on early assessment and proactive maintenance to prevent costly failures. Housing Development: Maui’s Mākena Mauka project advanced after scaling back density by about 27% amid community pushback, with phased construction starting in 2028 and major amenities planned. Aquarium Fishing Policy: Hawai‘i’s Board of Land and Natural Resources delayed a decision on reopening commercial aquarium fish collection in West Hawai‘i after hours of public testimony, with counties urging a ban. Consumer Safety/Rules: Hawai‘i expanded its “Slow Down, Move Over” law to cover all stopped roadside vehicles, not just emergency vehicles, with potential citations and fines.