AGP Executive Report

Big Tech & Youth Safety: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a landmark settlement with states, including Hawaiʻi (up to ~$80.7M), and to cap teens’ daily Facebook/Instagram use plus add safety limits aimed at addictive design and harmful features. Local Governance & Procurement: A Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement official’s frequent overseas tech-policing trips helped spur major contracts tied to companies he later worked with, raising questions about how public purchasing connects to private hiring. Energy & Grid Resilience: LUMA warned Puerto Rico’s grid is strained by fast rooftop solar growth; locally, Hawaiian Electric reported steady Hawaiʻi Island restoration progress with thousands still out and more equipment arriving. Wastewater & Cesspools: Honolulu unveiled the Honu Hub, a solar-powered, off-grid wastewater treatment option for cesspool areas, tested alongside UH’s HOWTEP program. Red Hill Cleanup: The Navy says Red Hill closure work is on track but the extent of remaining fuel cleanup is still not fully determined, with monitoring and remediation shifting after 2028. Public Safety: The IRS says texts can be legitimate if you opted in, but scammers also use texting—verify before acting.

Child-Safety Crackdown: Hawaiʻi is set to receive up to $76M from Meta’s $17.1B multistate settlement, with sweeping changes for Instagram and Facebook aimed at reducing addictive design and adding protections for under-18 users. Consumer Protection: The same Meta case is driving similar payouts and reforms across dozens of states, signaling a broader push to regulate how platforms handle youth. Solar Sales Warning: Hawaiʻi officials warned residents about misleading door-to-door solar pitches, including false claims about state “free” systems and contractors being out of business. Local Business & Logistics: Accel Events & Tents expanded its Oʻahu inventory for fall/winter events, while Hawaii Car Transport launched air-cargo vehicle shipping between Los Angeles and Honolulu. Defense Tech in the Pacific: Lockheed Martin and Saildrone completed live-fire testing near Hawaiʻi during RIMPAC using a remotely operated combat system. Food & Agriculture: Kapiʻolani CC culinary students showcased prototypes at the KCC Farmers Market, blending Hawaiʻi and Japan ingredients. Environment: UH research found stranded short-finned pilot whales in Hawaiʻi had ingested large amounts of plastic debris, underscoring ocean pollution risks.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii County, unlocking FEMA support after an estimated $81.4M in damage, with crews still documenting impacts across the Big Island and parts of Oʻahu and Maui. Power Reliability: A Civil Beat analysis says Hawaiʻi power outages are happening more often and lasting longer, even when excluding major outliers like big storms. Utility Restoration: Hawaiian Electric reported restoring power to 1,700+ customers on Hawaiʻi Island while about 4,330 still remained without service, with crews and mutual aid working hardest-hit areas. Local Infrastructure: Waipahu Street Arch Bridge is set to reopen soon after Kona Low storm repairs, with remaining work expected to finish under the bridge by Oct. 2026. Agriculture & Weather Impacts: Kaʻū ranchers say Hurricane Lala’s heavy rain brought grass relief, but they’re bracing for whiplash as extreme weather strains pasture and fencing. Workforce & Education: A settlement reverses a Trump-era push to close 99 Job Corps centers, keeping Hawaii’s Waimanalo and Makawao programs open. STEM Spotlight: Punahou student Luke Itomura won top oral honors at CEE’s 43rd annual Research Science Institute with MIT. Defense & Manufacturing: Snowbird Technologies demonstrated expeditionary additive manufacturing and machining aboard USS Essex during RIMPAC 2026. Consumer Protection: State officials warn of “storm chaser” scams and urge residents to verify anyone offering disaster repairs or claiming to represent FEMA. Sports Business: UH football will debut a Hawaiian Airlines jersey patch against Stanford, continuing a decades-long airline-athletics partnership.

Hurricane Recovery & Agriculture: USDA is offering technical and financial help for Hawaiʻi farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers hit by Hurricane Lala, including livestock indemnity and land restoration programs. Shipping & Logistics: Hawaii Car Transport launched scheduled air cargo vehicle shipping between Los Angeles and Honolulu, cutting transit from weeks by sea to days by air. Energy & Cost Pressures: A new analysis shows electricity prices rose sharply nationwide, with Hawaiʻi up 28% from 2020 to 2025—another hit for households already facing storm recovery costs. Environment & Fisheries: UH Mānoa researchers found tangled plastic and fishing gear in short-finned pilot whales, underscoring how marine debris keeps harming Hawaii’s ocean life. Local Governance & Construction: A Maui Council committee advanced bills to move the long-planned Haʻikū fire station project forward, despite ongoing disputes over the land’s title. Tourism & Industry Collaboration: Hawaiʻi’s golf resorts are banding together under “Play Hawaiʻi Golf” to market the islands as one destination.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Central Oʻahu’s Wahiawa Dam upgrades helped avert a major flood during Lala, with reservoir levels peaking just below the emergency spillway—“we dodged a bullet.” Power & Utilities: On Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiian Electric says additional lineworkers and equipment from Oʻahu, Maui, and Southern California Edison are arriving, but thousands of customers still lack power as Tropical Storm Moke slows repairs; residents in Hilo also report long outages and equipment/communication frustrations. Agriculture: Kaʻu coffee growers warn of major losses right before harvest as roads wash out and trees are wiped out; local farm groups also report more than $3.2M in losses across hundreds of acres, with damage still mounting. Banking/Finance: American Savings Bank filed for an IPO, aiming to list on the NYSE under ASBH, as it looks to broaden funding beyond its post-HEI/Maui wildfire context. Environment/Resources: U.S. territories push back on deep-sea mining plans near the Marianas, criticizing rushed leasing before full environmental review; Guam also faces rising salt threats to groundwater. Policy/Consumer Help: DLNR says Diamond Head and other Hawaiʻi State Parks closed for storm hazards trigger automatic refunds for paid reservations, minus nonrefundable fees. STEM & Workforce: UH Mānoa’s STEM program reached 422 keiki across three islands, blending robotics and engineering with Hawaiian culture and place.

Hurricane Recovery & Resilience: The Nature Conservancy’s parametric coral reef insurance policy for Hawaiʻi has paid out for the first time after Hurricane Lala, with a minimum reported payout of $200,000 to support reef damage assessment and repairs coordinated through the Hawaii Emergency Reef Restoration Network. Storm Disruption to Local Industry: Lala also disrupted shipping and attendance for the Made in Hawaii festival, hitting vendors as recovery continues. Energy & Infrastructure: Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in July, while job losses showed up in manufacturing, construction, trade/transport/utilities, and professional/business services—an economic snapshot that matters for hiring and local business planning. Local Business & Tourism Tech: Hawaii.com is launching a new Deals marketplace in early September, offering free listings for businesses during August to connect kamaʻāina and visitors with discounts. Research & Funding: UH secured $647.3M in FY 2026 extramural funding, its second-highest record, underscoring continued research investment despite federal funding upheaval. Education & Workforce Pipeline: Southwest Airlines donated tickets so Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol cadets could still attend mainland training encampments after severe weather canceled the local program.

Hawaiʻi Labor Watch: The state unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in July, the highest since late 2024, signaling a cooling labor market as employment stayed flat and the jobless rate climbed for the fourth time in five months. Disaster Readiness: Lawmakers warned that a direct hurricane hit on Oʻahu would be economically catastrophic, and recovery from Hurricane Lala on Hawaiʻi Island is still uneven, with lingering power outages, brown-water advisories, and ongoing hot-shower and device-charging sites. Research & Innovation: UH secured $647.3 million in extramural funding for FY2026, down from last year’s record but still the fifth straight year above $500 million, as researchers pivot toward applied, workforce, and community-impact priorities. Reef Fish Policy: A strong push is building against resuming commercial aquarium collection of native reef fish, with county councils unanimously opposing permits and residents arguing the fish belong on Hawaiʻi’s reefs. Agriculture & Community: Maui residents are invited to help set natural resource conservation priorities, while Molokaʻi farmers graduated from UH Maui College’s Farm Apprentice Mentorship Program, expanding local farm skills. Energy & Infrastructure: Hawaiʻi’s rooftop solar growth continued even after losing a federal tax credit, and the debate over what should drive electric bills remains tied to LNG and grid resilience.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaiʻi County says damage is nearing $50M as Tropical Storm Moke approaches, with Kaʻū still dealing with saturated ground, power restoration gaps, and boil-water advisories. Energy & Grid Resilience: A fresh look at why Hawaiian Electric’s grid failed so badly during Lala points to known vulnerabilities and the need for better outage-restoration planning as storms intensify. Solar Market Momentum: Even after the federal rooftop solar tax credit ended, Hawaiian Electric customers added thousands of new rooftop solar systems in early 2026, with strong battery adoption suggesting demand for backup power. Local Agriculture Skills: Molokai Farmers are building farm capacity through UH Maui College’s Farm Apprentice Mentorship Program, graduating 29 apprentices across Maui County. Workforce Training: Servco’s STEP scholarship named a UH Maui College automotive student, continuing a pipeline of paid technician apprenticeships. Consumer Protection: Hawaiʻi is urging Mercedes-Benz diesel owners to act before Aug. 31 to claim settlement benefits tied to emissions “defeat device” allegations. Food & Labeling Debate: A GMO-focused court push argues many GMO ingredients still aren’t properly labeled, keeping pressure on USDA and food companies.

School Food Policy: Hawaii DOE is rolling out a new 2026-27 school lunch choice—animal protein or plant protein (like tofu poke)—so students can pick what fits their values, health, or environment. Disaster Recovery & Resilience: Hurricane Lala’s aftermath is still hitting Kaʻū and Puna hard, with Hawaii County damage nearing $50M, power restoration uneven, and officials asking for a presidential emergency declaration as Tropical Storm Moke threatens more rain. Power Grid Accountability: After 6 in 10 households lost power during Lala, residents are pressing HECO and state leaders for clearer answers on why the grid failed and how fixes will prevent repeat outages. Energy Decision-Making: A debate is heating up over whether Hawaiʻi should invest billions in LNG infrastructure for Oʻahu—critics argue rate impacts may be modest and that non-cost factors should drive the choice. Local Infrastructure: Maui County is weighing costly desalination plans as water demand rises, while communities look for practical next steps after recent disruptions. Consumer Protection: Hawaii is reminding Mercedes and Freightliner Sprinter owners of Aug. 31 deadlines tied to an emissions settlement, including free repairs and incentive payments.

Disaster Recovery & Utilities: Frustration is growing among Hawaiian Electric customers on Hawaiʻi Island after Hurricane Lala, with some still without power a week later and residents saying updates lack clarity on restoration timelines and affected areas. Storm Readiness: As Tropical Storm Moke forms, Verizon says it’s staging backup power, mobile/satellite equipment, and emergency messaging support after Lala’s outages and damage. Construction & Supplies: Oʻahu roofers and hardware stores report a surge in storm-prep calls and purchases—plywood, lumber, storm panels, and flood bags—often forcing temporary fixes due to overwhelming demand. Water & Infrastructure: Maui County is weighing costly desalination plans to address growing water demand, with residents asking when projects could actually move from planning to construction. Coastal Resilience: Lala triggered the nation’s first coral reef insurance payout, aimed at assessing and repairing reefs that act as natural storm protection for Hawaii’s shoreline property. Logistics: A $555M Honolulu harbor cargo terminal expansion is advancing as new electric gantry cranes arrive to boost container handling at Piers 41–43. Consumer Protection: The state is urging eligible Mercedes-Benz diesel owners to schedule emissions repairs and claim settlement benefits before Aug. 31.

Storm Readiness: Verizon says it’s repairing Hurricane Lala damage while restaging backup power, mobile/satellite gear, and emergency messaging as Tropical Storm Moke nears, with coordination involving power utilities and state public safety. Construction & Retail Demand: Oahu roofers and hardware stores report a surge in calls and purchases for plywood, lumber, storm panels, and flood bags as another system threatens. Kaʻū Recovery Logistics: Upper Pahala residents in Wood Valley got road access after crews cleared boulders and debris; officials also highlight hot showers and charging sites while water service and catchment repairs remain key. Water & Infrastructure Risk: West Hawaii residents face water catchment damage and generator shortages, with warnings to avoid flood waters and standing water. Volcano Monitoring: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory renewed focus on the field technicians behind near-real-time Kīlauea monitoring and hazard awareness. Local Business/Defense Engineering: NAVFAC Hawaii awarded a $20M architect-engineering contract to InSynergy Engineering for mechanical design and resilience work through 2031. Industry & Community Events: Waikiki’s 44th Annual Slack Key Festival spotlights local music industry talent and benefits the Waikiki Aquarium.

Hurricane Readiness: Hawaii’s Big Island is bracing for another round of heavy rain and possible tropical-storm conditions after Hurricane Lala, with forecasts calling for 5–10 inches (up to 15 in spots) and renewed flood and mudslide risk in areas hit by Lala. Telecom Resilience: Verizon says it’s monitoring 24/7, restaging mobile assets, and keeping backup power ready as another storm nears, while offering satellite messaging options and customer relief through Aug. 31. Disaster Recovery & Planning: U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Naalehu after Lala and urged Hawaii to rethink disaster prep and recovery, pointing to major damage at Naalehu Elementary and debris-blocked roads. Military Engineering: NAVFAC Hawaii awarded a $20M architect-engineering contract to InSynergy Engineering for mechanical design work across Navy sites, with delivery expected through 2031. Volcano Monitoring: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory highlighted how field technicians keep Kīlauea monitored and how near-real-time data helps hazard awareness. Local Business/AI Skills: Maui Economic Development Board ran a workshop to help small businesses and nonprofits apply AI in practical ways. Housing Affordability: A national report says housing affordability worsened in Q2 as mortgage rates, construction costs, and regulatory burdens squeezed buyers and builders. AI for Permitting: Cities are turning to AI to speed housing approvals by catching incomplete applications, supported by new federal funding for automated permitting systems. Energy/Science Funding: UC San Diego leads a DOE Genesis Mission project using AI agents to accelerate physics and quantum computing research.

Storm Watch for Hawaii Island: As Hurricane Lala recovery continues, Tropical Depression Two-C is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Moke and bring heavy rain—up to 15 inches in some Big Island areas—on already-saturated ground, raising flash-flood risk. Seabed Mining Push Meets Legal Resistance: The Marine Minerals Administration advanced proposed deep-sea mining lease sales near the Northern Mariana Islands, while conservation groups and Pacific stakeholders sued to stop the first U.S. seabed-mining sale, warning of irreversible biodiversity loss. Coral Insurance Payout: The Nature Conservancy’s coral reef insurance policy triggered its first payout—$200,000—after Lala, funding reef assessment and repair efforts through a Hawaiʻi emergency restoration network. Local Hospitality & Business: Honolulu’s Liquor Commission selected Jason K. White as its next Administrator, and the AHICE Aloha Hotel Industry Conference program was revealed for late September in Waikīkī. Energy & Infrastructure: Hawaiʻi’s Land Board authorized transfer of more than 300 acres to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, including parcels suited for industrial/commercial development and Hilo homestead uses. Trade & Logistics: A U.S.-flagged cargo ship, SLNC York, reported a water incursion near Honolulu and its 18 crew were safely taken aboard a passing tanker.

Hawai‘i Jobs & Economy: DBEDT says Hawai‘i’s July unemployment rate held at 2.7% (down from 2.6% in June), with 672,500 employed and 18,350 unemployed statewide. Energy Planning: Hāmākua Energy will host a virtual Aug. 25 community meeting to update operations and 2026 energy plans for the utility that supplies about 20% of Hawai‘i Island’s electricity. Power & Grid Resilience: After Hurricane Lala, Hawai‘i’s recovery continues with ongoing grid work and public updates, including reminders to file insurance claims promptly. Deep-Sea Mining Watch: NOAA opened a 60-day public comment period on The Metals Company USA’s first consolidated deep seabed mining recovery application in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, between Hawai‘i and Mexico—while lawsuits also target the first U.S. offshore mineral lease. Defense Tech Off Hawai‘i: Saildrone and Lockheed Martin demonstrated missile-launch capability from an unmanned surface vehicle during RIMPAC off the coast of Hawai‘i. Port & Logistics: Noell ship-to-shore cranes were barged from Los Angeles to Honolulu’s Kapalama Container Terminal as phase two of a major $555M upgrade moves ahead. Local Business Growth: Kai Crest Accounting & Advisory launched CFO-level advisory plus monthly accounting for Hawaii and West Coast businesses.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Honolulu reported a major Tantalus Drive closure after a retaining wall failure near the 4.5-mile marker, with repairs requiring full wall reconstruction and roadway restoration. Power & Utilities: On Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiian Electric said restoration is progressing but about 17,000 customers still lack power, with Kaʻū and other districts facing longer timelines and water impacts. Food Safety: Hawaiʻi DOH authorized the reopening of HI SHACK (772 TXS) in Honolulu after a follow-up inspection found corrected temperature control and handwashing issues. Local Development & Housing: Honolulu ethics leaders moved to tighten rules on taxpayer-funded election mailers, while another report highlighted how developers “sweeten the deal” with community benefits for higher-density projects. Environment & Agriculture: A Maui invasive axis deer problem is being turned into dinner, and a new scholarship supports design work for the Waiohuli Makai homelands plan. Consumer/Health Alerts: DOH issued a recall alert for Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Outshine Fruit Bars due to possible glass contamination.

Hurricane Lala Power Recovery: Hawaiian Electric reported strong overnight progress, restoring power to 99% of affected customers on O‘ahu, 98% on Maui, and 75% on Hawai‘i Island, but about 19,670 customers still remain without power, with some Puna, Kohala, Ka‘ū and Na‘alehu areas facing at least two more weeks of restoration work. Local Water Governance: Hawai‘i’s Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected a 30-year East Maui commercial water license auction and advanced a contested-case hearing involving revocable permits held by Mahi Pono and East Maui Irrigation Co., after testimony from kalo farmers and Native Hawaiian advocates. Permitting & Housing Tech: Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting will require many residential projects to use Clariti’s CivCheck Guided AI process starting Sept. 1, with non-compliant applications rejected in pre-application review. Manufacturing & Jobs: Grillo’s Pickles opened a $54 million refrigerated pickles facility in Indiana, adding about 150 jobs and citing demand growth; the company is also near King’s Hawaiian’s planned production site. Food Industry Growth: Bad Ass Coffee of Hawai‘i ranked No. 4034 on the Inc. 5000, pointing to 28% year-over-year systemwide sales growth and 12 new store openings planned for 2026. Deep-Sea Mining Watch: Environmental groups sued to stop the first-ever commercial sale of deep-sea mining leases in American waters, arguing the process violated the Endangered Species Act.