AGP Executive Report

Military & Security: Taiwan received its first U.S.-made F-16V jets, part of an $8 billion deal, as it waits on a separate paused arms package amid China’s threats. Biosecurity & Jobs: Hawaiʻi launched a new Biosecurity Academy with Leeward Community College to train up to 20 frontline inspectors starting in November to fight invasive pests. Disaster Recovery & Local Economy: North Shore Huakaʻi extended through year-end, bringing visitors to Waialua and Haleʻiwa businesses still rebuilding after March storms. Public Health: A UH study found elevated toxic metals in residents near Maui wildfires months after the 2023 blaze, linking lingering exposure to lung health impacts. Energy Costs & Oversight: The PUC will hold statewide meetings starting Oct. 5 on Hawaiian Electric’s storm-related outages, while separate reporting warns households nationwide could pay more for energy through 2040. Environment & Enforcement: A fire at an illegal Pearl City junkyard intensified calls to shut it down, with runoff concerns flowing toward Pearl Harbor. Research & Healthcare: UH Cancer Center researchers secured a $3 million grant to study why early-stage breast cancer becomes invasive, with a focus on Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities.

Hawaiʻi Defense & Security: The first two Republic of China Air Force F-16 Block 70 jets have finally left Hawaiʻi and are set to arrive in Taiwan on Oct. 2, kicking off long-delayed deliveries of 66 new fighters. Climate & Health Policy: Hawaiʻi’s attorney general is among state leaders challenging the Trump administration’s EPA rollback of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, arguing it will worsen extreme heat, storms, flooding, and wildfire smoke. Local Housing & Ballots: Voters in Hawaii and three other states will weigh housing affordability measures in November, testing different approaches from bonds to zoning changes. Utility Costs & Relief: As utility bills strain households, new hardship programs are opening in multiple states, highlighting the growing pressure on families facing service cutoffs. Native Hawaiian Community: A Native Hawaiian family story spotlights three generations supporting each other through breast cancer diagnoses, with treatment in Honolulu and free caregiver lodging. Molokai Biosecurity: A state committee recommends bringing back an interim import ban on materials that could spread the coconut rhinoceros beetle, moving the issue to the board chair. Tourism Watch: Hawaii tourism is still feeling the hit from shorter stays and storms, with visitor spending and arrivals down in August.

Hawaiʻi Politics & Accountability: A jury awarded former Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority finance executive Isaac Choy $500,000, finding he was fired illegally in retaliation for raising contracting irregularities—an outcome he says should push more whistleblowers to come forward. State & Community Business Relief: Hawaiʻi officials are rolling out storm recovery help for Kauaʻi and Oʻahu businesses hit by recent hurricanes, including loan options and grant programs tied to documented losses. Energy & Cost of Living: A new “Covering the Cost” episode breaks down the push for a Longboard LNG project on Oʻahu and what it could mean for electricity supply and pricing. Health & Research: UH Mānoa is launching a five-year study tracking PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and microplastics exposure from pregnancy through a child’s first year, aiming to see how early-life contamination may affect brain development. Local Loss: Gov. Josh Green ordered flags lowered to honor former U.S. Rep. and SBA chief Patricia “Pat” Saiki, who died at 96.

ACA Refund Checks: The Trump administration has started mailing $500 Affordable Care Act rebate checks to nearly 1 million people in 30 states, including Hawaiʻi, for alleged federal exchange overcharges; eligibility is limited to enrollees who didn’t get premium assistance. SNAP Changes in Hawaiʻi: New SNAP benefit amounts take effect Oct. 1, with Hawaiʻi recipients seeing a decrease for a family of four as USDA calculations shift. Hawaiʻi County Water: After Hurricane Nolo impacts, Hawaiʻi County replaced an “essential use only” order with a Water Restriction Notice for Waiʻōhinu-Nā‘ālehu customers, requiring at least a 25% cut while repairs continue. Local Grants: Hawaiʻi County awarded $450,000 in FY26-27 R&D Impact Grants across 23 projects, including agriculture, food security, business development, film/creative work, and regenerative tourism. Pacific Environment: A new documentary spotlights deep-sea life in the Clarion Clipperton Zone and the stakes of seabed mining, using an underwater robot to explore ecosystems largely unseen by humans. Business & Travel: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines unveiled major premium-cabin and lounge upgrades aimed at boosting long-haul and transpacific travel.

Hurricane Nolo Response: Hawaiʻi National Guard crews pre-positioned across the islands and carried out high-water rescues on Hawaiʻi Island, showing how fast state agencies are gearing up for heavy rain and flooding. Water Safety: Hawaiʻi County replaced an “essential use only” order with a broader water restriction for Kaʻū communities, cutting demand by at least 25% while repairs continue after Hurricane Lala. Air Travel & Tourism: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines unveiled new premium cabins—Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites and Alaska’s Aurora Suites—plus a new Premium Reserve option and expanded lounge plans, aiming to keep interisland and long-haul travel attractive despite high fuel costs. Local Business Recovery: Kauaʻi South Shore merchants say Hurricane Lowell left parts of Old Kōloa Town feeling like a “ghost town,” while Lahaina’s Front Street still has no returning businesses more than three years after the fires. Consumer Protection: Hawaiʻi’s Office of Consumer Protection joined a multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach affecting millions nationwide, including thousands of Hawaiʻi residents.

Hawaiʻi-Japan Economic Ties: DBEDT will host a public policy forum highlighting Hawaiʻi’s first comprehensive 2026 report on trade, investment, and key sectors with Japan, plus what government and business leaders can do next. Tourism Recovery on Kauaʻi: After Hurricane Lowell, Kauaʻi’s North Shore continues reopening, with 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay back online and tourism leaders urging visitors to return respectfully as recovery drags on. Wildfire Health Fallout: A new UH study finds elevated toxic metals in Maui residents’ urine months after the 2023 Lahaina fires, linked to abnormal lung function—raising concerns that impacts last well beyond the smoke. Hurricane Nolo Aftermath (Big Island): Hawaiʻi County issued water restriction notices for Kalapana and “essential use only” guidance for parts of Puna as flooding and outages affect water service. Housing Snapshot: Zillow reports Kapolei’s typical home value rose to $841,057 in August 2026, up 0.7% year over year. Premium Travel Push: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian are rolling out new premium cabins and lounges under Alaska Accelerate, with lie-flat suites and premium-economy upgrades aimed at boosting demand.

Hurricane & Energy Watch: Hawaii is bracing for Hurricane Nolo’s heavy rain, flooding, and power risks, with Hawaiian Electric urging customers to prepare for outages as the storm approaches. Cost of Living: Rising fuel costs are pushing Hawaii grocery prices higher, with local economists warning inflation could run near 5% this year as shipping and air cargo costs surge. Education Access: UH’s new “Direct to UH” program is streamlining college applications for Hawaii seniors, routing students into trades, community colleges, and UH campuses based on GPA tiers. Public Safety: Federal prosecutors are seeking to keep former Moanalua High School wrestling coach Sean Sakaida behind bars on child sexual abuse charges, citing alleged misconduct involving a teen wrestler. Local Food & Farming: GoFish Hawaiʻi is expanding aquaculture training to boost food security, teaching aquaponics and fish husbandry to more than 70 participants since 2020. Community Health: Toxic metals linked to the 2023 Maui wildfires are still showing up in residents months later, according to UH research.

Hurricane Nolo Response: Hawaiʻi County is taking damage reports as Hurricane Nolo moves away, with a high wind warning still in effect for North Hawaiʻi and Highway 11 reopened after flooding and debris clearing. Local Safety & Preparedness: Residents are being urged to report unmet needs and storm impacts to help officials and partners target recovery. Space & Tech With Hawaii Links: SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time, then ended the flight early, splashing down north of Hawaiʻi after deploying 26 Starlink satellites. Energy Costs Pressure: A new analysis argues climate-related lawsuits and “superfund” laws could add about $1,465 a year to household energy bills, adding to already rising costs. Election Money Fight: Montana voters are set to consider a ballot measure aimed at curbing corporate political spending, echoing Hawaii’s own recent law on political activity. Flood Risk Tools: NOAA’s flood mapping coverage expanded to nearly 100% of the U.S., including Hawaii, to help communities plan for river flooding.

Hurricane Nolo recovery: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reopened most areas along Kīlauea summit and the Kahuku Unit after the storm, with key closures still in place around Hilina Pali Road, Mauna Loa Road, Kīpukapuaulu Trail and Sulphur Banks Bridge while staff finish safety checks. Local consumer watch: Waianae tied for 6th among Hawaii cities for scam reports in August, with two reports totaling $13.20 in losses, including an online purchase scam involving a nonfunctional link. Aloha State travel disruption: Hawaiian Airlines said seven flight attendants fell ill after an odor was reported on an A330 flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu; the plane returned to service about 10 hours later. Pacific diplomacy & science: Palau confirmed Keith Sugiyama as its resident ambassador to the Philippines after 13 years without one, while President Marcos met Filipino analog astronauts to boost space-science ambitions. Global context: A nor’easter battered the U.S. Northeast again, causing flooding and power outages from New Jersey to New England.

Hurricane Nolo: Hawaii braced as the storm moved west south of the islands, with high-wind warnings, flooding and high-surf impacts reported—especially on Hawai‘i Island—plus shelter and road-closure updates from county officials. Housing & finance: A ballot question on Nov. 3 would let counties issue “housing infrastructure growth bonds” to fund roads and utilities tied to new housing districts, and a separate push for city-linked “RISE bonds” is drawing attention from the construction industry. Health care structure: HMSA and Hawai‘i Pacific Health are proposing a nonprofit parent organization, One Health Hawai‘i, to coordinate care and cut costs—while critics warn about vertical integration’s effect on premiums and access. Elections & courts: The Hawaii Supreme Court’s handling of a disputed House District 43 race is now being questioned for how it could affect voter participation. Local economy & homes: Zillow data showed typical home values rising in Kahuku (+8.3%) and Hauula (+4.5%) in August 2026. Public policy: Lawmakers are looking at ways to improve the HI-5 recycling program as redemption rates decline. Aviation incident: Seven Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants were sickened after an odor event on an A330 flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu; the aircraft returned to service about 10 hours later.

Hurricane Nolo Response: Hawaii is bracing for heavy rain, gusty winds, and dangerous surf as the storm passes south of the Big Island, with forecasters warning of life-threatening flooding and mudslides in steep terrain even as some watches are adjusted. Federal Aid: President Trump approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Nolo, unlocking FEMA Public Assistance with a 75% federal cost share for Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu. Local Preparedness: Hawaii County opened multiple shelters and issued closure and safety updates, while residents were urged to stock water and supplies and plan for outages. Aftermath Still Matters: Kauai Shrimp announced it will close its Kekaha operations after Hurricane Lowell damage, underscoring how storms keep reshaping local food and jobs. Transportation Budget: HART is previewing a reduced FY2028 budget focused on capital work tied to Pearl Highlands and park-and-ride projects, even as staffing and spending priorities shift. Economy Watch: UHERO forecasts slower growth for Hawaii in 2026, with energy costs and storm effects weighing on tourism and jobs.

Hurricane Nolo Response: Hawaii braced for Nolo’s heavy rain and wind as the storm hovered south of the Big Island, with hurricane watch and flood alerts in place; officials opened shelters and Hawaiian Electric said it was monitoring for outages. Storm Ripple Effects: Kauai continued Hurricane Lowell recovery while preparing for Nolo impacts, and food banks urged residents to stock up. Local Government & Accountability: A Hawaii County Board of Education member resigned, citing a lack of transparency and oversight by board leadership. Transit Budget Watch: HART previewed a tentative $651.8M FY2028 budget, with major cuts to capital spending and ongoing staffing gaps. Economy Under Pressure: UHERO forecast slower growth for Hawai‘i amid high fuel costs and storms, with Maui a relative bright spot as tourism recovery continues. HI-5 Recycling Funding: The state’s HI-5 bottle program fund topped $105M as redemption rates declined, with lawmakers hearing concerns about limited redemption center access. Disaster Aftermath for Local Food: Kauai Shrimp said it will permanently close its Kekaha farm after Hurricane Lowell damage.

Hurricane Nolo: Gov. Josh Green says the U.S. approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Hawaiʻi, bringing 75% federal cost-share support for Honolulu and the neighbor islands as forecasters warn of heavy rain, mudslides, damaging waves, and possible Category 3 impacts. Tourism & economy: UHERO warns the storm surge could further weaken Hawaiʻi’s tourism outlook, with higher energy costs, inflation, tariffs, and insurance pressures already weighing on travel decisions. Power & preparedness: Hawaiian Electric is urging customers to prepare for outages as Nolo approaches, while food banks and disaster groups ramp up supplies and response planning. Environment & health: DOH says low levels of PFAS were detected for the first time in the Fort Shafter water system on Oʻahu, and Greenpeace activists staged a protest against deep-sea mining tied to Pacific mineral exploration. Local governance: A charter school in Ewa Beach is operating without a governing board after multiple resignations, leaving the state commission to decide next steps.

Hurricane Nolo Response: Hawai‘i is bracing for potentially life-threatening flooding and mudslides as Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens, with the governor activating the National Guard, schools closing, and officials urging residents to stock emergency supplies and prepare for outages. Power Outage Prep: Hawaiian Electric is warning customers to expect extended outages, citing damage assessments that could take days—especially in remote areas—and urging people to stay away from downed lines and keep battery radios ready. Maui Storm Readiness: Maui County agriculture officials are telling ranchers and farmers to secure livestock, test generators, protect records, and stock feed and water ahead of heavy rain and high winds. Economy Under Pressure: UHERO says Hawai‘i’s growth is being held back by war-driven oil prices and an unusually active storm season, with only gradual improvement expected as energy costs and storm impacts ease. AI Safety Push: Oregon and other state attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI systems accessing networks or acting unsafely. Data Breach Accountability: Alaska’s acting AG announced a multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach tied to a medical debt collector, underscoring that companies can’t delegate data security risk.

Hurricane Watch for Hawaiʻi: Tropical Storm Nolo is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and could bring major flooding to the Big Island, prompting school and office closures and renewed calls to stock drinking water. Storm Spillover From the Pacific: Hurricane Polo remains a Category 5 threat off Mexico, with heavy rain and landslide risk along the Pacific coast as it skirts offshore. Consumer Data Security: Hawaii and other states secured a $2.3 million multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 breach tied to a debt collector, with required data-security reforms. AI Oversight Push: State attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents acting outside testing environments. Local Education & Community: UH Maui College announced its 2026 Noble Chef gala and a new Noble Chef Dinner Series featuring Maui chefs and student-led culinary events. Business & Travel: Air France is expanding Paris stopover packages for connecting passengers, aiming to boost tourism for Hawaii and Guam via Japanese travel links.

Tropical Storm Nolo: Gov. Josh Green ordered closures of some state/county offices, public schools, and UH campuses on Hawaiʻi Island Thursday–Friday, expanding to Maui County Friday as Nolo threatens with heavy rain, possible hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding; Hawaiʻi County also urged residents to store drinking water and conserve. Disaster recovery costs: Green said 2026 disasters have pushed Hawaiʻi to about $1 billion in preliminary recovery and resilience needs, with roughly $686 million in identified damage and $319 million in proposed mitigation projects. Local business and community: Honolulu’s Chinatown Cultural Plaza redevelopment is moving forward after years of city advocacy, aiming for a safer, more vibrant property. Consumer protection: Hawaiʻi announced a settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corp., offering eligible consumers cash or debt relief up to $115,000 and requiring better disclosure and limits on “packing” add-on products. Defense construction: NAVFAC Pacific outlined a push for faster, portfolio-based defense construction reforms at a Honolulu forum. Economy/tech: A Hawaiʻi Economic Association conference will tackle how AI could reshape the islands’ economy and social fabric.