AGP Executive Report

Airline Premium Push: Alaska Air Group is pouring money into lie-flat suites, a new premium-economy cabin, and expanded airport lounges—starting 2028—aiming to lift margins despite high jet fuel costs, with Hawaiian also set to get new Leihōkū business-class suites and Premium Reserve. Defense Logistics: NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor ran pre-deployment food management assists and backed a Navy Working Capital Fund inventory audit that found zero discrepancies and zero exceptions. Local Infrastructure: Honolulu will start emergency drainage repairs on Magellan Avenue Oct. 12, closing a key stretch for about four months and coordinating traffic for nearby businesses. Immigration Court Costs: Honolulu’s immigration court is requiring more in-person hearings, raising travel and accommodation burdens for neighbor-island and out-of-state families. Energy Resilience: Hawaiian Electric will use drone inspections across Maui and Lānaʻi starting Oct. 1 to spot wildfire-risk equipment issues earlier. State Appointments: Gov. Josh Green named members to the Land Use Commission and the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board. University Investment: UH is investing $123M across its 10 campuses to fund more than 100 initiatives focused on student success and workforce needs.

Hurricane Nolo Fallout: Hawaii is still dealing with heavy rain, dangerous surf, and storm recovery as outer bands bring 3–6 inches to Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, with flooding and mudslide risks prompting shelter and damage-reporting calls. Energy & Utilities: Hawaiian Electric ended its PSPS watch and restored power to West Maui customers, but residents and businesses are still urged to prepare for outages as crews respond to storm impacts. Public Health & Environment: A new UH study finds toxic metals in Maui residents’ urine months after the 2023 wildfires, with higher exposure linked to abnormal lung function—raising long-term monitoring questions for recovery. Local Business & Food Security: GoFish Hawai‘i is pushing local aquaculture and food security, while Hawai‘i’s ‘ulu summit highlights supply-chain and demand gaps for the breadfruit crop. Community & Housing: HCDA says affordability restrictions at Honuakaha expired without forcing tenants into market rents, aiming to preserve long-term housing for current kūpuna residents. Corporate/Tech: Qualcomm says Saudi Arabia’s AI buildout could drive demand for lower-power computing and sovereign data centers—an overseas growth signal tied to Hawaii’s Snapdragon Summit.

Energy & Storm Recovery: Hawaiian Electric has begun phased restoration for West Maui after Hurricane Nolo, with about 1,405 customers still without power as of 12:45 p.m. HST, following overnight outages affecting roughly 10,000 customers. Public Health & Environment: UH Mānoa research finds toxic metals in Maui residents’ urine 6–18 months after the 2023 wildfires, linking higher metal mixtures to abnormal lung function—raising the stakes for long-term monitoring. AI Policy: Congress is weighing a wave of AI security proposals after recent incidents involving “misaligned” models and sandbox escapes, while Pope Leo XIV urged AI safety concerns be treated seriously. Local Business/Workforce: Johnson Controls announced $3 million in grants to 30 community colleges to expand skilled trades training. Hawaiʻi Economy & Infrastructure: WPRFMC is developing an experimental fishing permit for bottom fishing in Papahānaumokuākea to support sustainable commercial fishing data. Sports & Local Interest: Warriors’ Steph Curry’s contract extension is settled as he heads to Hawaii training camp; Kristaps Porzingis remains out with a health issue.

Hurricane Nolo Aftermath: Heavy rain and strong winds continued to batter Hawaii as the storm moved farther south, with flooding on the Big Island and multiple high-water rescues, while officials kept wind and surf advisories in place. Maui Power Disruptions: Hawaiian Electric activated PSPS in Pukalani and reported about 11,350 customers without power across West Maui, Haʻikū and Upcountry, with the earliest restoration estimate set for Monday. Legal Fight at HTA: A First Circuit jury is set to continue deliberations in the Isaac Choy wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation case, a dispute tied to allegations about HTA procurement and workplace conduct. Cell Tower Appeal: A Papa‘ikou resident filed an appeal seeking to halt a Verizon cell tower, arguing an apparent error in the use permit and challenging the project’s compliance. Local Enforcement: Honolulu police shut down three illegal gambling rooms in Moiliili, seizing machines and cash tied to operations previously raided in July. Business Expansion: Mo’ Bettahs keeps growing, opening a new Utah location in Highland as it expands company-led growth beyond its home state.

Hurricane Nolo Power Disruptions: Hawaiian Electric reported about 12,370 customers without power in West Maui and Upcountry and about 3,900 on windward Oʻahu as strong winds hit, with outages not tied to PSPS; crews are set to inspect and restore at first light while HECO monitors wildfire risk and keeps PSPS in “watch” status. Storm Recovery & Preparedness: Hawaii County and the National Hurricane Center warned Nolo’s outer bands could bring life-threatening flooding and mudslides, with parts of the Big Island facing up to 20 inches of rain even as the storm moved away. Local Business & Tourism: Kā‘anapali Golf Courses won “2026 Best Golf Course on Maui” in a viewers’ choice contest, highlighting West Maui’s ongoing rebound after the 2023 wildfires. Consumer Watch: Waianae tied for 6th among Hawaii cities for scam reports in August, with two reports totaling $13.20 in losses. Aviation Incident: Seven Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants fell ill after an odor event on an A330 flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu; the aircraft returned to service about 10 hours later. Privacy & Surveillance Debate: U.S. senators raised Fourth Amendment concerns over the nationwide Flock camera network, questioning accuracy and warrantless tracking. Housing Market Snapshot: Zillow data showed Kahuku’s typical home value rose 8.3% year over year to $1,095,464 in August 2026.

Hurricane Nolo Update: Hurricane Nolo continues moving west well south of the islands, but Hawaii County is still dealing with heavy rain, flooding in Puna/Kaʻū and strong winds; shelters remain open and parts of Highway 11 are closed, while high-wind and high-surf warnings keep pressure on travel and power reliability. Energy & Wildfire Risk: Hawaiian Electric says it’s monitoring wind and dry conditions and has deenergized lines in the Olowalu brushfire area on Maui, with about 740 customers preparing for overnight outages; a Public Safety Power Shutoff watch is in place. Local Services: On Oʻahu, Honolulu’s free Household Hazardous Waste drop-off event is fully booked for Nov. 7, with no additional dates scheduled until 2027 “TBD,” highlighting a capacity gap for residents trying to dispose of toxic materials safely. Housing Finance Vote: A statewide constitutional amendment on Nov. 3 would let counties issue housing infrastructure growth bonds; editorial support argues it can lower the cost and complexity of building roads and utilities for new housing. Healthcare Oversight Debate: HMSA and Hawai‘i Pacific Health’s proposed One Health Hawai‘i plan faces scrutiny over how vertical integration could affect premiums, referrals, authorizations and hospital stability. Politics & Community: West Oʻahu Senate candidates Bob McDermott and Markus Owens offer sharply different priorities, from traffic/crime to election security and broader partisan themes. Tourism Platform: A new World Tourism Day website launches with a global events directory and stories to connect tourism organizations and local events worldwide.

Hurricane Nolo Watch: Hurricane Nolo is moving west after lingering south of Hawaiʻi Island, with Hawaiʻi County reporting intermittent heavy rain and strong gusts and noting Highway 250/Kohala Mountain Road closed due to hazardous conditions; officials say hurricane watch, tropical storm warning, and flood watch remain in effect as Big Island rainfall totals could reach 10–20 inches (isolated 25 inches), raising mudslide and flash-flood risk. Utility Response: Hawaiian Electric says it is restoring power overnight and into Saturday, with about 626 customers without service on Hawaiʻi Island in Ocean View, Hāmākua, Lower Puna, Ka‘ū and North Kohala, while Maui and Oʻahu have no major outages; the utility urges customers to stock emergency supplies and charge devices. Energy Policy: Hawaiian Electric says it will still retire Maui’s Kahului and Mā‘alaea fossil plants even after the EPA eased greenhouse-gas rules for power plants, arguing the changes don’t affect its clean-energy and retirement plans. Economy Outlook: UHERO forecasts Hawaiʻi’s growth slowing to 0.6% in 2026 as fuel costs and storm impacts weigh on tourism, with gradual improvement expected in 2027. Local Business & Recovery: Aina Landscaping owner Kerry Vekhov, who paused his Kona-area work after Hurricane Lala, is ready to help again as Nolo approaches, using his equipment to clear debris for residents. Community & Culture: The 2026 Joint Memorial Service for Hawaii’s Japanese American WWII veterans is set for Sunday at Punchbowl, with volunteers needed Saturday to decorate 1,000 graves. Maui Workforce: The Construction Industry of Maui’s annual golf tournament raised nearly $60,000 to support construction vocational programs for Maui County students.

Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricane Nolo stayed south of Hawaiʻi Island Friday night, with tropical-storm conditions and large swells already hitting parts of the Big Island; Hawaiʻi County opened nine public shelters and officials warned of flash flooding, mudslides, and dangerous surf, while Hawaiian Electric reported no major outages but cautioned that saturated ground raises the risk of downed trees and equipment damage. Local Transit Budget: The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is reviewing a tentative $651.8M budget for fiscal year 2028, cutting capital spending sharply as it shifts funding toward Pearl Highlands and park-and-ride projects, while keeping staffing plans at 72 positions. Recycling Funding Pressure: Hawaiʻi’s HI-5 beverage container program fund has grown to $105M as redemptions decline, with the Department of Health citing limited space for certified redemption centers—leaving gaps such as no Kailua center for two years. Storm Fallout for Food Supply: Kauai Shrimp says it will permanently close its Kekaha farm by Oct. 31 after Hurricane Lowell damaged facilities and production systems, though it’s exploring whether a partner could rebuild. Tourism Outlook: UHERO warns the latest storms could further weaken Hawaiʻi’s already pressured tourism outlook, with higher energy costs, inflation, tariffs, and insurance costs compounding the hit. Housing Market Snapshot: Zillow data show a typical home in Wahiawa valued at $860,042 in August 2026, up 2.5% year over year.

Hurricane Readiness & Business Continuity: Hawaii Employers Council rolled out a Disaster Preparedness Toolkit for HR and business leaders as Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nolo threatens the islands, following damage from Hurricanes Lala and Lowell. Storm Impact on Local Food: Kauai Shrimp is winding down operations at its Kekaha farm after Hurricane Lowell damaged facilities and equipment; the company says rebuilding may not be financially feasible. Tourism Recovery Messaging: Kauai County urged visitors to return after Hurricane Lowell, highlighting which areas and businesses remain open and asking residents to respect closures. Energy & Cost Pressure: AAA Hawaiʻi reported gas prices rising week over week, with the statewide average at $5.57 per gallon. AI & Tech in the Local Economy: Qualcomm used Snapdragon Summit to push “agentic AI” PCs, including Snapdragon X2 support for Windows and Linux, plus new on-device AI audio capabilities. Data Privacy & Health Oversight: Multistate attorneys general announced a $2.3 million Labcorp settlement tied to a patient data breach, underscoring vendor oversight expectations. Local Governance & Native Priorities: OHA trustees adopted updates to Mana i Mauli Ola, strengthening its strategic framework around Native Hawaiian self-determination.

Hurricane Nolo Preparedness: Hawaii braces for Nolo as it strengthens into a hurricane, with officials warning of life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds; state and county offices and schools on Hawaii Island and Maui are closing, and Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Scott Saiki urges residents to review hurricane and flood coverage and expect insurers to cooperate with claims. Tourism Resilience: The sold-out Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference at Hilton Hawaiian Village drew about 700 leaders focused on crisis response, traveler safety, workforce and AI, with HTA marketing plans for major visitor markets set to roll out as the state manages storm risk. Local Business & Community Impact: Kauaʻi Community College reports Hurricane Lowell disrupted 80% of students’ ability to attend or complete classes, prompting recovery events and mental health support; on Kauaʻi, Hurricane Lowell recovery continues while Tropical Storm Nolo threatens. Utility & Power Planning: Hawaiian Electric says it’s monitoring Nolo and preparing for probable outages, while crews returning from Lowell support Nolo response. Crime & Fraud: A 60-year-old Ewa Beach woman faces federal wire fraud charges tied to alleged theft of $1.2M from a motorcycle importer. Housing Market Snapshot: Zillow data shows Aiea typical home value at $824,722 in August 2026, up 0.2% year over year. Small Business Growth: Oʻahu wedding media company Project Story Hawaii expands all-in-one wedding photography and videography packages for couples.

Hurricane Lowell recovery and tourism hit: Kauaʻi is still assessing damage after Lowell, with residents and businesses urging visitors to postpone while power and infrastructure are restored, underscoring how quickly storms can disrupt Hawaii’s visitor economy. Storm readiness for the next threat: Hawaiian Electric says it’s placing Tropical Storm Nolo under a 24-hour watch, pulling crews back from Kauaʻi and urging customers to trim trees and clear hazards to reduce outage risk. Consumer finance crackdown: Hawaii’s Office of Consumer Protection announced a settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation, offering eligible consumers cash and debt relief and requiring stronger disclosures and limits on “packing” add-on products. Legal fight over political spending: The U.S. Chamber sued Hawaii over a law restricting political spending by companies and nonprofits starting July 2027, setting up a major First Amendment showdown. Data breach accountability: Multistate attorneys general secured about $2.3 million in reforms and payments tied to the Labcorp/AMCA data breach, with new requirements focused on vendor management and medical-debt data protections. Local business spotlight: Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii’s multi-unit owner Allen Stanczak was named IFA Franchisee of the Year, highlighting franchise entrepreneurship tied to community impact. Agriculture investment: Maui County opened a draft environmental assessment for the Upcountry Maui Agricultural Park, proposing 28 improved farm sites and new irrigation and electrical infrastructure for diversified local farming. Sustainability recognition: The Hawaiʻi Green Business Awards Program honored 51 local businesses and events for energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, and cultural and natural resource preservation.

Hurricane Preparedness: Hawaii is bracing for Tropical Storm Nolo, expected to strengthen into a hurricane and bring major-hurricane-level rain and flooding risk to the Big Island and parts of Maui, with state and county offices, public schools and UH campuses closing on the island as early as today and Friday. Local Enforcement: Honolulu Police shut down four more illegal gambling operations on Hausten Street in Moiliili, confiscating 74 machines and $38,000, marking the second such crackdown on the street since July. Elections & Governance: Oahu voters will decide 20 Honolulu Charter amendments in the Nov. 3 general election, including measures tied to food security, ranked-choice voting, housing, historic preservation and government modernization. Consumer Protection: Hawaii reached a settlement with Credit Acceptance Corp. over predatory auto loans, with court approval potentially triggering about $830,000 in debt forgiveness and $115,000 in cash restitution for eligible consumers. Business & Community: A new Wingstop opened Sept. 22 on Aiken’s Southside in South Park, offering 12 flavors of classic and boneless wings plus sandwiches and loaded fries. Food Resilience: After Hurricane Lala, a Pahala food drive shows how repeated storms and rising costs are stretching household budgets and increasing reliance on community support.

Hawaiʻi Storm Readiness: Hawaiʻi County water officials urged residents to stock and conserve drinking water as Tropical Storm Nolo (15-E) is expected to bring severe weather and high winds that could disrupt power and water infrastructure through the weekend. Tourism & Workforce: The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is set to host its Visitor Industry Conference in Honolulu, bringing hospitality leaders, researchers and government officials together to tackle 2027 trends, resident sentiment, crisis management and workforce needs. Local Enforcement: Honolulu Police shut down four illegal gambling operations in Moiliili, confiscating 74 gambling machines and $38,000 in cash. Energy & Resilience: Hawaiʻi’s Visitor industry and utilities are also in the spotlight as the state and local agencies prepare for storm impacts and ongoing infrastructure strain. Tech & Business: Microsoft unveiled refreshed Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch models with Snapdragon X2 Plus chips, plus a new Surface Mouse, with sales starting Oct. 13. Education & Science Comms: UOG CIS & Sea Grant named Thomas Manglona II as the first Marianas Science Communications Fellow to strengthen how research is shared across Guam and the CNMI.

Hawaiʻi Business Leadership: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation named Reid Gushiken senior vice president and chief financial officer, tapping his 20+ years of finance leadership across education and banking. Local Economy & Community: A new report argues federal Section 8 voucher spending in Hawaiʻi has more than tripled since 2003, but inflation and financing limits mean most eligible households still can’t get help—fueling the case for more housing. Food Security: In Pahala, Hurricane Lala recovery continues as residents line up for free groceries, with organizers noting rising costs and storm damage are changing how often families need support. Disaster Readiness: A flood watch is in effect for Hawaii Island and Maui County as developing Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nolo threatens heavy, slow-moving rain through the weekend. Tourism & Dining: Waikīkī’s first Flavors of Waikīkī Restaurant Week runs Oct. 1–11, with 14 walkable venues offering limited-time deals. Culture & Sustainability: Merrie Monarch Festival calls for a three-year pause on wild harvesting of maile, palapalai and ʻōhiʻa lehua from native forests. Tech & Jobs: Qualcomm used Snapdragon Summit in Maui to push “agentic AI” with new mobile chips aimed at on-device AI and next-gen smartphone performance.

Hawaiian Electric & Kauaʻi Storm Readiness: Hawaiian Electric says it’s monitoring another tropical threat while supporting KIUC’s Kauaʻi restoration, with crews and equipment shifting back to Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi island this week. Banking & Sports Business: Bank of Hawaii and UH extend Bankoh Arena naming rights through June 30, 2037, locking in long-term corporate support for athletics. Health Insurance Consumer Alert: Oregon’s DFR warns consumers about “self-funded” limited-partner health plans that may dodge ACA rules and leave people with big uncovered bills. Food & Consumer Law: Eight major pork producers agree to a $117M antitrust settlement; Hawaii is among the states where eligible consumers can file claims by Oct. 29, 2026. Education Policy Fight: Sen. Mazie Hirono and experts urge Congress to repeal a new national school voucher program that states have already started opting into. Local Permitting Friction (Neighboring Market): A Guam food truck roundtable highlights rising costs and uneven permitting guidance as mobile vendors push for clearer rules. Tech in Hawaii: Qualcomm unveiled new Snapdragon 8 Elite chips in Maui focused on on-device “agentic AI,” signaling continued AI-driven diversification.

Hawaiian Electric Finance: Hawaiian Electric Industries sold about 2 million shares (roughly a 3% stake) of American Savings Bank in the bank’s IPO, cashing in about $29.5 million after fees—part of a broader push to strengthen liquidity as it funds Maui wildfire settlement payments. Local Housing Funding: Hawaii County Council Finance Committee advanced a bill to extend the county’s Homeless and Housing Fund through 2029, keeping at least $9 million a year flowing to nonprofits. Voters Decide on Rail Infrastructure Bonds: Honolulu’s proposed “RISE” bond amendment would let the city finance infrastructure for Skyline-area housing without using existing property tax revenue, but it needs constitutional approval and voter backing. Maui Clean-Energy Milestone: Hawaiian Electric’s Waena Battery project installed its first six Tesla Megapacks, moving Maui toward a 40 MW/160 MWh standalone storage system to support renewables. Disaster Readiness: Hawaii County Civil Defense issued its first warning about a developing storm that could bring heavy rain and high winds as early as Wednesday, raising concerns for areas still recovering from Hurricane Lala. Health & Recovery: UH Manoa received nearly $5.9 million from NIH to extend the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study through 2031 and expand it to 800 children. Blood Supply Pressure: Blood Bank of Hawaii warned of a severe nationwide shortage affecting rare types, urging more donors to prevent delays in patient care.