AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Lowell & Resilient Infrastructure: Kaua‘i Alum Farms raced to keep shrimp ponds alive after power was knocked out, while the storm also damaged fields and wiped out much of the banana crop; the state issued brown-water advisories across O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i island, warning residents to avoid murky waters. Energy & Utilities: Kaua‘i’s utility reported outages for about 90% of customers, and the state said restoration could take time as crews assess damage. Water Systems & Safety: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam moved to reactivate the Navy Aiea-Halawa Shaft with DOH approval, aiming to strengthen drinking-water resiliency. Tech & Business Connectivity: Hawaiian Telcom rolled out faster, symmetrical business fiber speeds and “future-ready” 10 Gig capacity. Local Policy & Land Use: A Hawaii County planning panel deferred a bill that would tighten zoning distinctions to curb AI data center loopholes until October. Agriculture & Supply Chains: Ports of Hilo and Kawaihae reopened for normal operations, while Nāwiliwili and Kaumalapau stayed closed until cleared. Legal & Environment: Conservation groups sued to stop deep-sea mining lease actions in the Marianas, arguing NMFS improperly downplayed impacts to protected species and habitat. Workforce & Education: UH launched a free “AI for Hawai‘i” program/course aimed at building practical, ethical AI literacy.

Marianas Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Conservation groups and Hawaiʻi partners sued in federal court to block the Trump administration’s plan to kick-start deep-sea mining off the CNMI and Guam, arguing the National Marine Fisheries Service wrongly downplayed harm to humpback whales, manta rays, and sea turtles—and that impacts could ripple to Hawaiʻi’s ocean ecosystems. East Hawaiʻi Healthcare Buildout: Windward Planning Commission approved a use permit for the $90M Keaau Benioff Health Center, a 40,000-square-foot clinic on agricultural-zoned land meant to ease a growing Puna backlog. Hurricane Lowell Aftermath in Kauaʻi: Lowell battered Kauaʻi with heavy rain, wind, flooding, and widespread outages, leaving nearly all residents without power as officials assess damage and plan a major restoration effort. Defense & Engineering Contract: NAVFAC Hawaii awarded a $75M architect-engineering contract to Jacobs and Architects Hawaii JV to support Navy facility design work through 2031. Solar Manufacturing Push: Suniva completed an $835M capital raise to build a second U.S. solar cell plant, targeting 5.5 GW of American-made capacity. Energy Costs Pressure: Diesel hit record highs in parts of the mainland, underscoring how fuel spikes can quickly feed into broader costs.

Shipbuilding & Maritime Jobs: Startup New Pacific Industrial won its first new construction order—two 122-foot oceangoing tugs for American Marine, with delivery targeted for Q3 2028. Healthcare & Local Economy: Hawaii County’s Windward Planning Commission approved the $90M Keaau Benioff Health Center, clearing the way for a spring 2027 groundbreaking and late-2028/early-2029 completion. Aviation & Consumer Services: Southwest began construction on its first-ever premium airport lounges, including Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International, aiming for openings by late 2027. Local Food Supply Chains: Parker Ranch has started monthly deliveries of about 4,000 pounds of locally raised ground beef to Hawaii Island public schools. Business Climate: Hawaiʻi’s new $2.1M Business Express registration system is drawing heavy complaints over document-processing delays as the state merges older systems. Public Safety & Weather: Kauai is bracing for heavy rain and strong winds as Hurricane Lowell approaches, with officials warning residents to take the threat seriously. Agriculture Resilience: Maui farmers are still recovering from earlier storms and Hurricane Lala damage while preparing for Lowell. Tech & Defense Manufacturing: Hawaii-based Voltage Vessels submitted a 3D-printed composite RHIB prototype for U.S. maritime defense evaluation, pushing locally sourced materials into the mix. Housing Policy: A new federal ROAD to Housing Act puts pressure on Hawaiʻi state and counties to update laws and streamline homebuilding.

Hurricane Lowell watch: Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau were hit with hurricane warnings and watches as Category 3 Lowell barreled north, with officials urging residents to finish emergency prep and shelters/closures ramping up. Maui farming hit again: After Hurricane Lala damaged crops, Maui growers say Lowell’s approach adds fresh risk—disease, bent plants, and recovery fatigue are already showing in fields. Road and traffic impacts: Hawai‘i DOT lane closures are scheduled on Maui’s Honoapi‘ilani Highway for storm-drain cleaning and guardrail work, with schedules weather-dependent. Local healthcare buildout: Windward Planning cleared a use permit for a Kea‘au outpatient clinic tied to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, targeting spring 2027 groundbreaking. AgTech funding: Hawai‘i Island’s Tropical AgTech Center in Hilo received $250,000 for a greenhouse nursery for tissue culture. Hospitality cost pressure: Hawaii County hotel operators pushed back on a bill that would raise wastewater rates for hotels, on top of broader sewer hikes. Space/aviation ripple: FAA cleared environmental review for expanded SpaceX Starship contingency landing areas near Hawaii, while license changes remain pending. Energy affordability: Multiple reports tie soaring Labor Day gas prices to the Iran war, with Hawaii among the highest-priced states. Maritime tech: Voltage Vessels says it submitted a 3D-printed composite RHIB prototype for defense evaluation and is pursuing next steps.

Energy Costs: A Brown University tracker says the US-Israel war on Iran has pushed consumers to pay an extra $100bn for petrol and diesel in six months, about $763 per household, with Labor Day gas averaging $4.15/gal and Hawaii among the highest states. Local Development: Honolulu’s City Council is set to consider a 90-day extension for the 1588 Ala Moana mixed-use plan, keeping a path open for a major hotel/residential concept at Ala Moana Center. Healthcare Construction: Windward Planning cleared the way for Keaau Benioff Health Center, a $90M outpatient clinic on agricultural-zoned land, with construction expected to start in spring 2027. Wastewater Rates: Hawaii County hotel operators are pushing back on a bill that would create a higher sewage customer class for hotels, arguing it stacks on top of broader rate hikes. AI Skills for Business: UH launched a free, open-access “AI for Hawaiʻi” course aimed at practical, ethical AI literacy for workers and small businesses. Tourism Signals: Guam Visitors Bureau flagged South Korean arrivals down 37.3% in early August, citing seat capacity, travel costs, and market pressure. Public Safety/Weather: High surf warnings and advisories are in effect across Hawaiian shores as Hurricane Lowell approaches, with dangerous currents and hazardous conditions expected through Monday night.

Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricane Lowell remains a major threat to Hawaii’s western islands, with Kauai under watches and forecasts calling for heavy rain, flooding risk, and dangerous surf/rip currents as the storm turns north early next week. Emergency Response & Recovery: Fire departments say recent storms are exposing response gaps and are ramping up training and equipment after Hurricane Lala and earlier flooding scrutiny. Water & Utilities: Hawaii County water officials report most Naalehu–Waiohinu customers restored, but about 60 accounts still lack service as repairs continue. Business & Government Operations: The DCCA business registration modernization rollout is blamed for slow approvals—even with expedited fees—leaving new owners unable to bank, lease, or hire while filings sit for months. Workforce & Education: UH launched a free “AI for Hawaiʻi” course for statewide AI literacy, and a separate UH athletics fundraiser smoothie highlights local food-industry partnerships. Land Conservation: DLNR’s Legacy Land Conservation Program opens FY2027 land acquisition grant applications. Local Safety: A Waimalu H-1 crash left a motorcyclist in critical condition after hitting a stalled car. Energy Costs: Americans face record Labor Day gas prices, underscoring pressure on household budgets.

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.