AGP Executive Report

Biosecurity & Agriculture: Hawaiʻi County lawmakers backed a resolution urging the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to tighten and enforce rules on moving coconut rhinoceros beetle host material after a CRB was detected in Hilo, with traps and dog surveys underway. Energy & Air Quality: Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez and conservation/public health groups challenged the EPA’s partial rejection of the state’s regional haze plan, arguing it unlawfully blocks needed pollution cuts tied to Hawaiian Electric power plants near Haleakalā and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes. Transit & Construction: HART cleared a major rail milestone by finishing downtown utility relocation along Nimitz Highway, setting up the next guideway and station work. Workforce & Trades: Twenty-one students graduated from the Hawaii Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund’s six-week Career Connections internship, pairing students with signatory contractors across Oʻahu, Maui, and Kauaʻi. Logistics & Aviation: Alaska Airlines is leasing four more 737-800 freighters, doubling dedicated cargo capacity and expanding Hawaiʻi-focused air cargo service. Consumer Protection: State officials warned of rising fake vacation rental scams, urging travelers to watch for too-good-to-be-true prices and rushed payment demands. Industry & Infrastructure (AI): A new book release spotlights the land, energy, water, permitting, and long-term community costs behind AI data centers.

Food Safety: Hawaii DOH recalled Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics Banana & Strawberry pouches due to a possible soft plastic strand from a packaging defect, sold nationally and at Target in Hawaii; no local injuries reported. Air Cargo & Logistics: Alaska Airlines will lease four Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, nearly doubling its cargo lift and adding dedicated cargo capacity tied to Hawaii and Alaska, with service expected in early 2027. Water Infrastructure: Consolidated Water received a Limited Notice to Proceed for long-lead equipment for the Kalaeloa seawater desalination project (1.7 million gallons/day) while also booking $10.1M in Florida municipal water treatment equipment orders. Energy & Grid Stability: GE Vernova won an order for six gas turbines aimed at supporting Hawaiian grid stability. Defense & Shipbuilding: The U.S. Navy is moving forward on a new multi-mission dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (up to $30B), part of broader modernization that includes Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Housing & Construction: Kealakehe Elementary is adding four classrooms to ease overcrowding. Public Health & Safety: Doctors warn drowning is a major killer for young children, urging faster rescue and better pool safety preparedness. Policy & Regulation: A federal judge ruled the Trump administration misused a grant provision to revoke awarded funding, blocking similar cancellations based on shifting priorities. Climate/Permitting: Hawaii Electric issued an RFP seeking renewables on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui. Energy Costs: New research links West Coast climate policies to higher gas prices, with Hawaii included in the analysis.

Hawaiian Home Lands: DHHL awarded nearly 500 Native Hawaiian homestead lots on Oʻahu plus additional awards on Maui, with residential, agricultural and pastoral leases set at $1 a year—another step toward long-awaited land access. Disaster Recovery & Schools: Hokulani Elementary in St. Louis Heights is nearing completion of repairs after March flood damage, and the school is asking for community help with move-in tasks as it prepares a Saturday move-in day. Maritime Logistics & Readiness: During RIMPAC 2026, First Naval Construction Regiment coordinated with partner nations on humanitarian assistance and disaster response communications—focused on synchronized messaging and public affairs procedures. Energy & Utilities: HECO issued renewable energy procurement for Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui, signaling continued push to expand clean generation and storage. Shipping & Supply Chains: Alaska Air Cargo plans to expand its 737 freighter fleet from five to nine, dedicating added capacity to Alaska and Hawaii to support time-sensitive goods and e-commerce. Public Health Research: A Maui wildfire exposure study is building a long-term health monitoring model for rural communities, tracking survivors from the 2023 Lāhainā fires. Local Governance: A proposal would increase City Council involvement in emergency demolitions after concerns about how a Watertown building was razed. Climate Policy: Nevada AG Ford sued to block an EPA rule weakening hydrofluorocarbon phase-out deadlines.

Energy & Shipping: Iran-backed Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, raising fears of renewed disruption at the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint and renewed pressure on global oil flows. Fuel Prices: AAA reports U.S. gas prices jumped back to about $4 a gallon as Middle East conflict squeezes supply. Hawaiʻi Power Procurement: Hawaiian Electric issued a major renewable energy and storage procurement for Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui, targeting large-scale solar/wind plus batteries to support the state’s 100% renewable goal by 2045. Local Food Safety: Hawaiʻi DOH authorized Charley’s Steakery in ʻAiea to reopen after correcting a sewage overflow plumbing violation. Conservation & Agriculture: The Hawaiian stilt (ʻaeʻo) was reclassified from endangered to threatened, citing decades of improved nesting and chick success tied to predator control and habitat restoration. Policy & Courts: New York AG Letitia James joined a lawsuit seeking to block an EPA rollback that delays HFC climate protections used in commercial refrigeration. Workforce & Economy: Maui County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.2% in June, up from 2.5% in May, while statewide unemployment held at 2.6%.

Coral Health & Pollution: A new UH Mānoa-led study finds contaminants from agricultural, industrial and pharmaceutical sources are embedded in coral tissue around Maui, lowering energy reserves and making reefs less resilient to warming and acidifying seas. Homelessness & Local Cleanup: At Waimanalo’s Kaupo Beach Park (“Baby Makapuu”), residents and beachgoers clash over trash and long-term camping; a nearby homeless program says it plans to add 116 units to house current campers. Wildlife Policy: The ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) was downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act, paired with a management rule aimed at reducing conflicts while supporting habitat work. Shipping Costs in Politics: In the race for urban O‘ahu’s congressional seat, Ed Case and Jarrett Keohokalole spar over the Jones Act, with shipping costs and national security both driving the debate. Energy & Power Planning: Hawaiian Electric is seeking to expand renewables and energy storage across O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island, reflecting ongoing grid and reliability pressure. Biotech Watch: Enterome reported interim Phase 1/2 results for EO2463 in indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, linking CD8 T-cell expansion with longer progression-free survival in watch-and-wait patients. Community & Culture: Playbuilders Hawaii is staging a new play based on Okinawan stories from Hawaii’s Uchinanchu community, chronicling how immigrants adapted and kept culture alive.

Energy & Shipping Shock: U.S.-Iran strikes kept escalating into a 10th straight night, with Iran retaliating across the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz effectively disrupted—pushing U.S. gas prices back above $4 and raising shipping insurance costs. Local Economic Pulse: Hawai‘i’s June unemployment rate held at 2.6% (seasonally adjusted), with jobs up 3,300 year over year, while nonagricultural employment dipped 2,700 month over month. Power Sector: Hawaiian Electric filed an Integrated Grid Planning RFP to expand competitively priced renewables and energy storage on O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island, aiming to cut oil use and modernize generation. Defense & Readiness: RIMPAC 2026’s HADR scenario wrapped up, highlighting regional logistics and medical coordination for disaster response. Real Estate & Consumer Costs: A report says Hawaii ranks among the states with high capital gains tax exposure for home sellers, adding friction to housing inventory and timing. Workforce & Safety Training: A webinar announcement spotlights how campus Environmental Health and Safety teams support emergency planning, response capability, and business continuity.

Clean Fuel Push: Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green signed a new clean fuel law that sets a path to cut transportation pollution 50% below 2019 levels by 2045, using a DOT-run credit/deficit system tied to fuel carbon intensity, with alternative fuels starting in 2028 and gasoline/diesel in 2029. Power Grid Buildout: Hawaiian Electric filed a major Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island procurement plan to expand renewables and energy storage, aiming to reduce oil use and speed progress toward 100% renewable power by 2045. Small Business Contracting Fight: Sen. Ed Markey and Sen. Mazie Hirono pushed back on SBA’s proposed overhaul of the 8(a) program, warning it would remove the presumption of eligibility for socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Local Housing + Transit Finance: Rep. Ed Case introduced a bill to boost the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for transit-oriented affordable housing, potentially helping higher-cost places like Hawaiʻi. Youth Workforce in Puna: Neighborhood Place of Puna opened the Puna ʻŌpio Hub, a drop-in youth resource and workforce program for ages 14–25. Surf Spotlight: The 2026 Honua Finals bring high school surfers to Ala Moana Bowls July 23–26, with more than 40 schools competing. Defense Readiness Concern: A report argues US Asia-Pacific deterrence is strained by costly missile use against low-cost drone threats, raising questions for regional readiness.

Transit-Oriented Housing Push: Rep. Ed Case introduced a bipartisan Transit Oriented Development Act to boost the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for affordable projects near rail, bus, harbor or waterway links—aimed at high-cost places like Hawaiʻi and potentially opening new financing paths for Maui and other islands. Youth Workforce Support in Puna: Neighborhood Place of Puna launched the Puna ʻŌpio Hub for ages 14–25, offering drop-in job and education help plus workshops on resumes, credit building, money management, and job skills. Offshore Aquaculture Expansion: Kona-based Ocean Era won approval for a Florida Gulf Coast offshore pilot to grow 20,000 red drum over a year in submerged nets, building on its earlier West Hawaiʻi demonstration work. Energy Reliability Debate: A fresh local op-ed argues Hawaii’s clean-energy planning shouldn’t be framed as solar-and-batteries versus LNG, saying the real challenge is transforming the whole energy economy. Engineering Leadership: Honolulu firm SSFM International promoted Scott Hayashi to chief operating officer, tasked with running day-to-day operations and coordinating Pacific infrastructure growth. Local Business Watch: Royal Kona Resort workers plan a rally over a fair contract after 16 months of stalled negotiations. Weather & Operations: Trade winds stay active through the week, with windward and mauka shower chances rising overnight and early morning; no major rain systems expected soon.

Deep-Sea Mining Push: The U.S. plans to auction large water areas around American Samoa for deep-sea mineral extraction, a move critics say sidesteps the International Seabed Authority and could harm fragile marine life. Endangered Species Act Rollbacks: The Trump administration issued new Fish and Wildlife policy changes that weaken protections for threatened species and require regulators to weigh economic impacts, raising alarms for wildlife and habitat protection. Hospitality Labor: Royal Kona Resort workers on the Big Island plan a rally over 16 months of stalled contract talks with UNITE HERE Local 5, after a prior one-day strike and unfair labor practice claims. Engineering & Infrastructure: SSFM International promoted Honolulu-based Scott Hayashi to chief operating officer, expanding leadership for Pacific infrastructure projects. Marine Science: UH Mānoa researchers found human activity leaves chemical signatures in Maui coral tissue, underscoring land-to-sea impacts on reefs. Local Agriculture Resilience: Moloka‘i growers are ramping up production through UH programs after missed barges and interisland shipping restrictions. Aviation Service Quality: Southwest topped the 2026 Airline Quality Rating for the second straight year, highlighting a widening performance gap across U.S. airlines. Energy & Fuel: Kauai County reported its lowest diesel price at $6.99 in the week ending July 11.

Hospitality Labor: Royal Kona Resort workers (UNITE HERE Local 5) plan a July 18 rally after 16 months without a contract, with the union also alleging unfair labor practices tied to changes made before bargaining finished. Food & Agriculture Resilience: Moloka‘i growers are ramping up after missed barges and plant-shipment restrictions, using UH programs like Seed to Harvest and Harvest to Market to keep local supply moving. Energy & Power Infrastructure: JERA Americas filed with Hawaii’s Public Utilities Commission to pursue a $2B, 500-megawatt LNG power plant on O‘ahu via a new regulated GenCo, while HECO warns it could bypass competitive bidding and add grid risk. Construction & Public Works: ʻImiloa Hawaiian language preschool construction is set to begin in early 2027 in Hilo, expanding early childcare with immersion teaching. Food Safety Enforcement: DOH issued a red placard and shut down Subway Kunia in Waipahu for refrigeration failures, requiring cold-holding fixes before reopening. Local Environment & Water Quality: A Hawaii Pacific University symposium questioned whether genki balls improve water quality, with researchers reporting no benefit and possible harmful effects at higher use rates.

Food Safety & Retail Compliance: Hawaiʻi DOH shut down Subway Kunia in Waipahu after refrigeration failed to keep TCS foods at safe cold-holding temps; the shop must stay closed until a follow-up inspection on July 21. Local Economy & Recovery: Maui says Lahaina’s Front Street will reopen to traffic Aug. 1, clearing the way for businesses to resume operations after wildfire debris removal, seawall/sidewalk repairs, and paving. Water & Infrastructure: USAG Hawaiʻi crews completed a major milestone repairing the deep well motor system for Area North, restoring production from underground wells supplying millions of gallons daily. Energy & Power Supply: JERA Americas filed an intent to build a $2B Longboard LNG power plant on Oʻahu, proposing a 500 MW generation option and offshore import terminal—drawing renewable-energy pushback. Water Quality & Environmental Health: A Hawaii Pacific University symposium questioned whether “genki balls” improve water quality; researchers reported no benefit and possible harm like lower dissolved oxygen. Housing Policy: Maui expanded ADU/ʻohana rules, allowing up to two accessory dwellings on qualifying residential lots countywide. Marine Conservation: Honolulu is considering resolutions to push for a state aquarium fishing ban, joining other counties in the long-running fight over extractive aquarium collection.

Deep-Sea Mining Push: The U.S. plans to auction huge areas of water around American Samoa for deep-sea mining, a move critics say sidesteps the U.N. International Seabed Authority and could harm fragile marine life. Food Safety: Cyclospora has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations, with federal agencies tracing supply to Taylor Farms and warning consumers in multiple states. Aviation & Travel: Airlines are warning that making daylight saving time permanent could disrupt schedules, crew and aircraft positioning, and connectivity—now headed to the Senate after House passage. Energy Costs: Gas prices are ticking up again as oil prices near $80 a barrel amid Strait of Hormuz instability; AAA puts Hawaii around $5.43. Hawaiʻi Business & Packaging: Waiākea is rolling out reusable, extra-thick glass bottles aimed at longer-term reuse and higher recycled content. Local Military Talent: A Haiku-born Navy anesthesiologist took part in NMRTC Twentynine Palms’ “CO for a Day” leadership shadowing program.

Retail & Logistics: IKEA expanded its shipping service to Hawaii for smaller items, rolling out small-order delivery to select zip codes (orders start at $80; max 50 lbs), a sign mainland retailers are tightening last-mile options for local shoppers. Education & Workforce: UH President Wendy Hensel laid out a systemwide AI strategy to the Board of Regents, framing AI as “the new electricity” and pushing governance, curriculum, and workforce prep. Hospitality & Growth: Island Events named Raysha Mamala director of sales, aiming to deepen partnerships with Hawaii hotels and meeting planners. Energy & Regulation: Hawaii updated its captive insurance framework under Act 255, shifting later examinations to a risk-based, commissioner-discretion model. Environment & Industry: The Trump administration moved closer to deep-sea mining off American Samoa with proposed 20-year leases, drawing sharp criticism over ecosystem impacts. Food Safety: Hawaii reported a case tied to a broader Taco Bell lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak, while national reporting points to a supplier contamination source. Defense & Shipping: The Marine Corps is set to receive a new Pacific logistics ship category under a $2.2B Navy contract, supporting island-shore delivery concepts. Local Culture & Community: Hundreds of athletes gear up for the Molokai-2-Oahu downwind foil race, a major test of Hawaii’s ocean sports scene.

Health Policy: A coalition of civil rights groups says ACA premium tax credit cuts and Medicaid eligibility changes will worsen racial health disparities, warning nearly 16 million people could be uninsured by 2034. Food Safety & Local Business: Hawai‘i DOH shut down Ocean Dim Sum & Food Company in Honolulu with a red placard for critical violations, then authorized reopening after a follow-up inspection confirmed fixes. AI Regulation: Gov. Josh Green signed Hawai‘i laws to strengthen AI protections—targeting harmful “deepfake” uses and adding safeguards for conversational AI involving children and minors. Deep-Sea Mining: Greenpeace and Hawaiian allies urged the U.S. to halt proposed deep sea mining lease sales tied to Pacific mineral mapping efforts. Tourism & Hospitality: Kimo’s is set to return to Lahaina with a new Front Street location as redevelopment continues. Shipping & Industry: Matson reported strong preliminary Q2 results, citing favorable Transpacific conditions and momentum in its China services. Cybersecurity: Federal agencies warned critical industries about Russia-linked hackers targeting insecure routers and other devices. Time Policy: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, sending it to the Senate.

Transportation & Construction: Honolulu’s HART previewed Skyline rail work on Halekauwila Street, but residents say they still lack specifics on timing and noise as construction is slated to start this fall. Highway Work: HDOT shared a time-lapse of a temporary pedestrian bridge installation tied to H-1 widening near Kalihi, with eastbound lane closures and a revised completion target of Feb. 2028. Energy & Climate Policy: Gov. Josh Green signed a new Hawaii clean fuel standard (SB 2999), setting performance-based credits/deficits for cleaner transportation fuels starting in 2028–2029. Health & Compliance: Hawaii DOH enforcement of hemp retailer rules is disrupting sales, with some retailers claiming many shops have stopped selling or closed. Consumer Protection: A nationwide recall hit Khong Guan frozen rice balls in Hawaii and three other states due to undeclared peanuts. Public Safety & Infrastructure Resilience: Kula Community Association is pushing for two high-elevation 500,000-gallon wildfire water tanks after 2023 outages and pressure failures. Governance: Gov. Green completed the 2026 bill-signing season, signing 266 of 267 measures and issuing one veto.

Climate & Courts: A Hawaii federal judge shut the Trump administration’s bid to revisit a ruling blocking the federal government from stopping Hawaii AG Anne Lopez’s climate lawsuit targeting major fossil-fuel companies, saying the government failed to show newly discovered facts or a legal change. AI & Aging Care: Gov. Josh Green signed measures to support kūpuna and caregivers, including a dementia-focused program, and to strengthen AI protections and safety rules. Consumer Finance Enforcement: Alabama AG announced a $45M multistate settlement with Block (Cash App) over alleged failures to help consumers during payment problems. Retail Tech in Hawaii: Honolulu Cookie Company is expanding its Square-powered retail operations across 14 locations, including a new flagship store opening in July 2026. Federal Time Policy: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, sending it to the Senate—Hawaii would remain on standard time under current rules.