AGP Executive Report

Local Funding: Hawaiʻi County opened applications for a new $250,000 Event Sponsorship Program, with up to $25,000 per group for events running Oct. 1–June 30, 2027. Community Voices: Two letters push for religion and language in schools—one urges Hawaiʻi public schools to post the Ten Commandments, while another argues Hawaiian language should be taught in DOE schools. Politics & Legal Drama: East Oʻahu’s District 4 council race is still tangled by Tommy Waters’ eligibility fight; the Intermediate Court of Appeals set Sept. 15 deadlines for briefs as ballots are already in motion. Education & Safety: Nanakuli High & Intermediate is joining Oʻahu’s school resource officer pilot, expanding the mentorship-focused program aimed at fewer incidents and stronger student-officer relationships. Culture & Memory: UH women’s soccer made ti-leaf leis for a Lahaina fire victims memorial during a Maui trip, blending sport with cultural practice and remembrance. Health & Enforcement: DOH/OMCCR issued $3,000 and then $10,000 penalties to Island Smoke and Vape for refusing lawful inspections. Civic Services: Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization is set to stop operations Aug. 14 after funding clashes and an audit over unmet goals. Election Watch: Primary day coverage highlights key races and social media’s role for newer candidates.

State Appointments: Gov. Josh Green announced new board and commission picks, including reappointing Hawaiʻi Homes Commission chair Kali Watson, with the releases framing the moves around Native Hawaiian opportunity, campaign fairness, and ethics. Housing & Identity: A new legal fight targets Hawaiʻi’s “blood quantum” rule, arguing ancestry-based eligibility for homestead leases deepens the housing crisis and unfairly limits access to land. Local Politics: The East Oʻahu Honolulu City Council race stays messy as Tommy Waters’ eligibility appeal continues, leaving voters unsure whether votes for him will count. Elections Watch: With Hawaiʻi’s primary vote deadline looming, coverage highlights ongoing questions around who’s eligible and what’s at stake in closely watched races. Early Childhood: Hawaiʻi Head Start leaders say they’re monitoring proposed federal rule changes that could shift oversight to states, stressing continued access to high-quality services. Culture & Community: Honolulu Museum of Art’s incoming director David Odo is set to focus on centering Hawaiʻi in the museum’s mission. Arts & Loss: Veteran actress Mary Rivera, known for Ned’s grandmother in Spider-Man: No Way Home, died at 82 after stroke complications. Travel & Lifestyle: Southwest launched the first regular nonstop Hilo–Las Vegas service, aiming to strengthen “Ninth Island” connections for families. Community Events: Mākena Golf & Beach Club hosted family-friendly, wellbeing-focused gatherings like pollinator-themed Lāʻau Love and Keiki & ʻOhana pickleball fun.

State Primary Watch: Hawaii’s lieutenant governor race is heating up as nine candidates line up to replace Sylvia Luke, who faces bribery charges; the AP notes how fundraising and PAC backing could shape Saturday’s outcomes. OHA Leadership Search: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a nationwide hunt for its next administrator/CEO, with priority applications due Sept. 4. Local Election Courtroom Drama: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi says the courts should resolve the Tommy Waters eligibility dispute after a judge ruled him ineligible, leaving voters in a messy, appeal-driven primary. Maui Recovery, 3 Years On: Gov. Josh Green says the One ‘Ohana Fund has offered the full $175M available, with offers made on 162 claims and more than $155.7M already distributed. Culture Calendar: Pu‘ukohola Heiau’s free Ho‘oku‘ikahi i Pu‘ukohola festival returns Aug. 15-16, and a staged living-history reading, “Chegamos: We Arrived,” shares Portuguese immigrant stories Aug. 10-11. Community & Safety: DLNR says it’s moving to impound and remove a “pirate ship” vessel at Ala Wai Harbor after confirming no approval. Workforce & Education: Kauai CC is partnering with Kauai Community Correctional Center on a carpentry micro-credential for inmates nearing release.

Citizenship & Courts: The ACLU says Trump’s fresh executive orders targeting birthright citizenship are an end-run around the Supreme Court and “doomed” to fail in court. Weekend Oʻahu Picks: Honolulu’s August 7–9 lineup leans local—Kakaʻako Farmers Market, Harbor Nights, and multiple craft/market nights across town. State Budget Reality Check: Hawaii lawmakers are comparing notes with other states on how to plug federal funding gaps, with talk of tech, agriculture support, and even new revenue ideas. Conservation Careers: Kupu opened applications for its Conservation Leadership Development Program and Kupu ʻĀina Corps, aiming to train the next wave of conservation and cultural stewardship leaders. Culture & Sovereignty: Molokaʻi marked Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea with flag-raising, community speeches, and a celebration of Hawaiian culture. Local Business Spotlight: Claire’s is revamping its in-store ear piercing experience, with updated spaces and “Inspiration Bars,” including a flagship location at Ala Moana Center. Nature Watch: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park shared August flight operations and a public hearing on proposed stronger protections for native wildlife. Community Calendar: Hawaiʻi County is taking proposals for an Event Sponsorship Program, with $250,000 available for culture, wellness, and visitor-attracting events.

Local Politics: Honolulu’s City Council District 4 race is in flux after Tommy Waters was disqualified from a third term, leaving three candidates—Trevor Ozawa, Tara Malia Gregory, and Jason Liang—to fight for the seat. Civic Life & Housing: Waimanalo’s Hui Mahiai Village aims to move 188 people off the streets into a supportive community with homes, a clinic, and learning spaces. Environment & Biosecurity: Hawaii Island’s coconut rhinoceros beetle rule is facing calls for stronger enforcement as advocates say training and compliance haven’t matched the policy. Culture & Community: A monk seal encounter on Molokaʻi—amplified by a popular local social media presence—has helped shift conversations amid misinformation and past killings. Native Hawaiian Economy: Palaka entrepreneur Max Mukai is pushing “economic sovereignty” through local business training and a growing KuHana accelerator network. Elections Watch: Hawaii’s primary turnout is trending low, and voters are urged to use drop boxes or vote in person before Saturday’s deadline. Science & Place: New sun images from UH Mānoa’s Maui-based solar telescope highlight fresh research tied to Hawaii.

Science & Place: Maui’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope helped scientists capture the sun’s surface in unprecedented detail, revealing feathery, fast-moving patterns tied to magnetized plasma ripples. AI & Kids (Hawaii ties): The Cruz–Schatz CHATBOT Act cleared a Senate committee, pushing “family accounts” so parents can oversee AI chatbots and reducing risks like obscene or pro-suicide content. Culture Calendar: Puʻukoholā Heiau’s free Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival returns Aug. 15–16 with hula, crafts, music, and hands-on activities under the theme “Mālama Kō Aloha.” Community Events: Lahaina Cannery’s free Keiki Hula Festival is set for Aug. 15, plus more local culture gatherings like the White Lotus Cultural Dancers’ Aug. 8 gala. Local Governance: A Maui Council committee voted 7-1 to recommend up to $6M to acquire West Maui water systems—moving the debate over public control of water forward. Environment & Wildlife: Police are hunting two men accused of attacking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal at Diamond Head Beach. Tech for Daily Life: Hawaiʻi is moving ahead with a $150M fiber broadband expansion for underserved communities.

Early Childhood Education: Hawaii’s Partner’s in Development Foundation Ka Pa‘alana preschool sites will stay open for 2026-2027 after federal funding saved the program. Wildfire Resilience: Three Hawaii island groups won $625,000 for wildfire mitigation, including Kailapa Community Association’s managed-grazing fencing plan. Education Support: Chan Zuckerberg Kaua‘i Community Fund pledged $330,000 to back Kaua‘i public schools, charter schools, and Kumu’s Cupboard supplies. Healthcare Access: Kona Community Hospital was verified as a level III trauma center, meeting national standards for critically injured patients. Local Governance & Justice: Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ appeal over term-limit ineligibility faces major hurdles ahead of the Aug. 8 primary. Community Safety & Services: A new Hilo Child and Family Service office expands domestic violence, sexual abuse treatment, and mental health counseling. Infrastructure: Hawaii is moving ahead with nearly $150M broadband expansion via BEAD fiber for thousands of underserved homes. Culture & Tradition: O‘ahu’s oldest Bon dance group remixes a 140-year tradition to pull in younger dancers. Food & Lifestyle: Coco Balls Takoyaki has a new home at the Varsity Building food-truck park in Moiliili.

TANF Data Lawsuit: Gov. Andy Beshear joined a coalition of 20+ states and D.C. suing the Trump administration to block expanded access to sensitive TANF recipient information, arguing Social Security numbers, addresses, and immigration status shouldn’t be shared. Education Policy Fight: Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono helped lead a pushback against Education Department plans to shift special education and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. Green Fee Funding: Hawaiʻi’s new Green Fee RFPs are open for nonprofits and community groups to protect and restore natural and cultural resources, with about $129M appropriated statewide. Local Housing Push: Honolulu moves ahead with affordable housing plans after buying Kalihi’s Dee Lite Bakery site, aiming for transit-oriented development. Maui Community Spotlight: Maui’s Eden Keolani Stewart was crowned Mrs. Hawaiʻi America 2026, while Kauanoe Batangan picked up major labor union endorsements for Maui County Council. Military & Community Readiness: HIANG activated its first dedicated Recruiting and Retention Flight, and Kupu received $1.75M in AmeriCorps support for conservation career training. Culture & Life: Mary Rivera, the Filipino-American actress who played Ned’s Lola in Spider-Man: No Way Home, died at 82.

Hawaiʻi Education & Culture: Ha‘aheo Elementary in Hilo is reopening after a $25M upgrade, adding new buildings plus air conditioning and accessibility, while Kaimuki High uses the first day to ease freshmen in and expand its School Resource Officer program. Language Access: A Hawaiian immersion program at Kapolei Middle School was suspended due to teacher shortages, leaving families scrambling as demand grows in West Oʻahu. Local Politics: East Oʻahu voters are stuck in limbo over Honolulu City Council District 4 after Tommy Waters’ eligibility fight drags into the appeals process. Community & Lifestyle: Aloha Festivals is taking applications for its 78th Floral Parade, themed “80 Years of Aloha.” Economy Watch: Hawaiʻi’s job growth forecast is revised down to sluggish expansion through 2034. Arts & Pop Culture: Mary Egida Rivera, beloved for playing Ned’s Lola in Spider-Man: No Way Home, died at 82 in Honolulu. Entertainment: Baywatch is headed to Prime Video in multiple international markets, including Baywatch Hawaii back-catalog.

Food Insecurity Help: Hawaii Foodbank is inviting Oʻahu residents to Food Drive Day on Aug. 29, with pop-up donation spots across the island and a message that help is for everyone. School Safety & Mentorship: Honolulu’s School Resource Officer program is expanding on Oʻahu, adding Nānākuli High and Intermediate to the west-side pilot that places retired officers at campuses to build trust and support students. Local Health Awareness: In Kailua, the Freedom Run & Walk raised awareness and reduced stigma around epilepsy, with the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaiʻi highlighting education, advocacy, and support for thousands statewide. Culture & Community Ties: Hawaiʻi and Indonesia marked 20 years of partnership through the State Partnership Program, using disaster-preparedness exchanges and music to deepen relationships. Privacy vs. Federal Data Sharing: Multiple Democratic-led states, including Hawaii, are suing to block the Trump administration from accessing sensitive TANF recipients’ personal data, arguing it’s unlawful and targets vulnerable families. Military Readiness in the Pacific: RIMPAC 2026 wrapped up after weeks of training across the Hawaiian islands, reinforcing Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation.

Education & Infrastructure: Hawaii teachers say aging facilities are derailing learning statewide, with broken air conditioning tied to overloaded electrical systems and some educators spending their own money on cooling. Wildfire Preparedness: Big Island groups won $625,000 and the state awarded $1.8 million total for wildfire mitigation, fuel reduction, and evacuation planning. Local Land & Housing: DHHL turned down a city gift of Kailua land after soil checks found it unsuitable for homestead development, reigniting debate over Native Hawaiian housing options. Immigration Enforcement: Hawaii lawmakers and advocates are celebrating new laws meant to protect immigrants from overreach by federal enforcement, including limits on local cooperation with ICE. Native Hawaiian Culture: Protesters say the Hale Koa Hotel is misusing Hawaiian culture in a luau tied to military honors, while OHA has launched a nationwide search for its next CEO. Pacific Security: RIMPAC wrapped after more than a month of training across the islands with 30 nations participating. Culture & Community: A new book spotlights a secret WWII Hungary mission with unexpected Hawaii connections. Politics & Influence: A super PAC is backing Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole while donors remain undisclosed until after the Aug. 8 primary.

Local Politics: Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has been ruled ineligible for another term, but his name stays on ballots and votes will only be counted to see whether an eligible candidate gets “50 percent plus one,” with a runoff possible—so voters are stuck in a messy, last-minute uncertainty. Culture & Community: Three years after the Lahaina wildfire, Front Street has reopened to traffic, yet many families still can’t return home—hundreds remain in FEMA temporary housing as rebuilding and permits drag on. Native Hawaiian Leadership: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a nationwide search for a new administrator/CEO amid a lawsuit from current CEO Stacy Ferreira. Public Safety & Daily Life: Honolulu police are investigating a violent Pearl City robbery targeting a 16-year-old boy, with suspects allegedly armed and no arrests yet. DEI & Workplace Change: Senate Democrats’ staff diversity survey shows 43% of staff identify as nonwhite, even as Trump-era anti-DEI efforts continue. Health: CDC data finds gestational hypertension is rising nationwide, with Hawaii among the biggest increases. Arts & Pop Culture: BTS says it won’t submit its album ARIRANG for the 2027 Grammys, pushing back on a new genre category.

Honolulu Politics: City Council Chair Tommy Waters has appealed a judge’s ruling that he’s ineligible for a third term, but election officials say his name will still appear on already-printed ballots and votes will only be counted to see whether an eligible candidate reaches “50% plus one.” Native Hawaiian Leadership: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a nationwide search for a new administrator/CEO as it faces a lawsuit involving current CEO Stacy Ferreira. Immigrant Justice: Hawaiʻi lawmakers and advocates marked the signing of new immigrant justice laws, including protections around language access and rights notifications before ICE interviews. Lāhainā Recovery: Front Street in Lahaina reopened to traffic for the first time since the 2023 wildfire, a milestone that still leaves many families waiting for permanent housing. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea began a new eruption phase, with lava fountains and air-quality concerns prompting closures around the summit. Community & Culture: Lanikai Canoe Club extended its outrigger state-championship streak to seven straight titles at Keehi Lagoon.

Honolulu Elections: City Council Chair Tommy Waters has been disqualified from the Aug. 8 East Oʻahu District IV race, but his name will still stay on already-printed ballots; votes cast for him will only be used to decide whether an eligible candidate reaches a first-round majority, with no ballot replacements allowed. Hawaiʻi Tourism & Lifestyle: Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry is seeing shorter stays—June averaged 7.9 days, down from 8.9 last year—while spending per visitor rose slightly, a mix that has tourism leaders worried about reversing the trend. Culture & Community: Peña Adobe hosted “Rhythm of Renewal,” bringing Japanese traditions like shishi mai lion dance, taiko, and hands-on activities to celebrate local Japanese heritage and the many cultures that intersect on the historic grounds. Science & Health: UH Mānoa researchers report gut bacteria patterns linked to faster or slower biological aging, adding to growing interest in how microbiome health may shape longevity. Local Governance & Safety: Oʻahu expands its school resource officer pilot to Nanakuli High & Intermediate, adding retired officers focused on mentorship and prevention to help reduce behavior incidents and improve campus safety. Volcano Watch: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense administrator Talmadge Magno retires effective Aug. 1 after years steering disaster response.

School Safety & Mentorship: Oʻahu’s School Resource Officer pilot is expanding for the new school year, adding Nanakuli High & Intermediate and increasing staffing at Kaimuki, Waianae, and Kapolei with retired HPD officers focused on mentoring and prevention, not just enforcement. Local Governance & Cost of Living: Honolulu City Council District 4 is now a three-candidate race after a judge ruled Tommy Waters ineligible, with affordability and rising property taxes front and center for voters across Hawaii Kai to Waikīki. Native Hawaiian Leadership: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a nationwide search for its next Administrator/CEO, seeking a leader to guide programs and stewardship for Native Hawaiians. Tourism Watch: Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry is seeing shorter stays—June averaged 7.9 days, down from 8.9 last year—prompting concern that the state needs to reverse the length-of-stay slide. Community Safety Survey: Hawaiʻi’s Status of Women Commission, the Judiciary, and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence are launching a statewide survivor survey to assess how safety strategies and protective laws are working across the islands. Culture & Business: Local entrepreneurs are pushing “economic sovereignty,” with Native Hawaiian apparel and accelerator programs spotlighting how culture-based businesses build local wealth.

Domestic Violence Survey: Hawaiʻi’s Status of Women Commission, the Judiciary, and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence are launching a statewide survivor survey to test how well protective order and stalking laws keep people safe. Local Culture Funding: Maui County’s ʻŌiwi Resources is opening grant applications for community nonprofits (July 31–Aug. 31) to protect Maui Nui cultural resources and strengthen Hawaiian knowledge connections. Tourism Dollars for Community: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority announced 2026 Community Enrichment Program recipients—$1.5M across 60 programs built by local orgs for culture, agriculture, education, and community experiences. State Leadership Moves: Gov. Josh Green announced appointments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Campaign Spending Commission, and Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission. Parks Leadership: Alan Carpenter was selected to lead the Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of State Parks, overseeing 55 parks and major cultural and natural resources. Ocean & Climate: Coral reef experts wrapped up an international symposium in Auckland, with new Pacific mapping and a research center launch—while climate pressure looms. Community Reconnection: Anchorage’s Unangax̂ Culture Camp is helping people reconnect through traditional food, regalia, song, and skills—especially for those living far from home. Local Food & Heritage: The Huntington hosted “Sunday Supper” with “This Filipino American Life,” using archives and Filipino food to explore generations of culture and family ties. Maui Visitor Recovery: A look at Lahaina’s rebuilding alongside rising visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy, with Kā‘anapali’s Royal Lahaina Resort highlighting a quieter kind of return. Shark Week Note: Shark bite stats keep Florida in the spotlight as Shark Week 2026 winds down.