AGP Executive Report

Foster Care Finance: Gov. Josh Green says Hawaiʻi will be the first state to ensure every eligible foster child has a funded, tax-advantaged savings and investment account, closing the remaining seed-funding gap through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Ed Freedman’s Stable Road Foundation. Health Care Housing: Queen’s Health Systems plans its first employee housing—150 below-market units—for staff at a new Kailua-Kona hospital, aiming to open in about five years. Grid Hardening on Maui: Hawaiian Electric starts restoring 32 steel transmission poles on Maui Veterans Highway, Pūlehu Road and Dairy Road starting July 6 through November, with no expected service interruptions. Public Safety Over the Holiday: Maui police will run sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols over the Fourth of July weekend. Local Agriculture Compliance: Hawaiʻi agriculture officials reminded West Hawaiʻi handlers of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials that they must have a state compliance agreement and complete required training to avoid penalties. Out-of-State Cancer Spend: A UH Cancer Center study finds Hawaiʻi patients spent over $230M on cancer care outside the state from 2021-2023, highlighting the cost of geographic isolation. Travel Costs Watch: AAA reports a national gas-price drop heading into the holiday, with the average around $3.84 per gallon.

Lahaina Recovery Watch: Lahaina’s first Front Street commercial project since the 2023 wildfires is moving ahead: the $8 million ʻUlu O Lele Marketplace is slated to open in October, with 17 retail spaces, eight food truck stalls, and a stage for live entertainment—aimed at jump-starting local jobs and business activity. North Shore Business Boost: The Hawaiian Council launched a new North Shore shuttle to bring visitors from Waikiki/Ko Olina to Waialua and Haleiwa as merchants recover from March’s Kona lows, with operators stressing it’s meant to add foot traffic without worsening traffic. Retail & Tourism Signals: Shake Shack is set to open its first Oahu location in Ala Moana Center in 2027, replacing the former Sugar Factory spot. Housing Pressure: A UHERO analysis says housing affordability has hit its peak decline, but Honolulu remains among the least affordable markets in the U.S. Public Safety & Local Economy: Honolulu police arrested a Waipahu bank forgery suspect; separately, cars crashed into Honolulu markets (Punchbowl and Sunshine Market) with no injuries reported. Energy Oversight: Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission chair Jon Itomura says the regulator will balance affordability and reliability while pushing toward the state’s 100% renewable goal.

Maunakea Telescope Decommissioning: UH says science operations at the UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) will end Sept. 15, 2026, with decommissioning targeted for 2030, citing aging facilities and funding tied to the UH master lease. Healthcare & EMS Recognition: Sierra Lifeflight nurse Devon “DJ” Jeffrey named Pacific Region Flight Nurse of the Year by Global Medical Response, highlighting frontline performance across Hawaii and the region. Local Public Safety: Honolulu police seek a Waipahu bank forgery suspect, Journey Furuyama, accused of cashing a forged check at Central Pacific Bank. Maui Water & Housing: Mayor Richard Bissen proposes Maui County purchase of Launiupoko and Olowalu water assets for $6 million to expand public stewardship and support housing development. Tourism & Travel Demand: AAA reports Hawaii remains among the priciest gas markets nationally as Independence Day travel ramps up, with the U.S. average easing to $3.91. Business & Consumer Policy: CMS outlines 2027 hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgery payment changes, including updates to 340B reimbursement and site-neutral payments, with extra OPPS boosts for Alaska and Hawaii. Sports Business: Sony Open in Waialae is set to shift to the PGA Tour Champions event in 2027.

PGA Tour & Tourism: The Sony Open in Hawaii is being replaced at Waialae Country Club by a new PGA Tour Champions event, the Sony Championship Hawaii, set for Jan. 14-16, 2027, with a $3 million purse and Sony’s long-running $27M+ charity support continuing. Local Water & Housing: Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed buying two West Maui water systems for $6 million to boost public stewardship and help support housing and community needs. Health Care Rebuild: Kaiser Permanente and Maui Health announced plans for a permanent Lahaina clinic on a 3.5-acre site at 910 Honoapiilani Highway, replacing the wildfire-destroyed facility with care currently delivered via a temporary modular clinic. Campaign Finance: Hawaii’s Campaign Spending Commission filed a civil complaint against Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s 2022 campaign alleging false reports and mishandling of funds. Business & Retail: Shake Shack is coming to Ala Moana Center, and Party City of Hawaii rebranded as Party Hawaii after ending its national franchise affiliation. Education & Talent: UH Mānoa reported 77 student-athletes named to the Academic All-Big West list. Public Safety: Honolulu police charged a 69-year-old man in connection with two Makiki bank robberies.

PGA Tour & Sony: The Sony Open Hawaii is set to become a PGA Tour Champions event in 2027, with the new Sony Championship Hawaii at Waialae Country Club (Jan. 11-16) and a $3 million purse—keeping Sony’s long-running Hawaii charity support. Legal & policy: U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz pushed an AI Labeling Act to require clear disclosures for AI-generated content and chatbots, while Hawaii’s AG and others are also weighing in on consumer-finance protections and a separate DOJ pushback on state gun rules after SCOTUS. Health & community: AARP is awarding $139,000 in Hawaiʻi grants, including digital literacy classes for older veterans and spouses on Hawaiʻi Island. Local business & compliance: Hawaiian Native Corporation’s portfolio rebrands as LAUKOA, signaling a unified next chapter for Native Hawaiian values and community impact. Food prices crackdown: DOJ and 17 states reached a $3.3 million settlement with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing, with millions of eggs headed to food banks—Hawaiʻi included. Wildfire readiness: Hawaii launched its 2026 Wildfire LOOKOUT! campaign, urging preparedness as wet-season growth can raise fire risk.

Ahi Labeling Law: Starting July 1, Hawaii retailers must disclose where ahi comes from, aiming to help local fishermen compete as an estimated 90% of ahi poke sold in the islands is imported and often frozen. Visitor Economy: DBEDT reports May visitor spending rose 5.3% to $1.77 billion, with 800,554 arrivals up 3.8%, though the average stay fell to 7.6 days. Antitrust Fallout: The DOJ and 17 states reached a settlement with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing—$3.3 million in payments plus 53 million donated eggs, with Hawaii potentially receiving up to 1 million. Public-Private Partnerships: Hawaii’s P3 summit highlights how private investment and partnerships are increasingly seen as necessary to tackle infrastructure and housing pressures. Local Business & Community: Pearlridge Texaco in Aiea is set to close permanently after 60 years, while a Waimanalo nonprofit plans to expand a homeless village from 59 to 300 tiny homes, drawing neighbor pushback. Defense & Tech: Nautilus is sailing from Honolulu to Guam with upgraded sonar to map deeper seafloor, and RIMPAC open-ship day drew thousands aboard HMAS Sydney.

Hawaiʻi Tourism: DBEDT says May visitor spending hit $1.77 billion (+5.3% y/y) as arrivals rose to 800,554 (+3.8%), but stays shortened to 7.60 days (-10.3%), signaling more “quick trips” even as daily spend climbed to $292 (+13.1%). Food Prices & Enforcement: Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez secured a multistate egg price-fixing settlement totaling 53 million eggs and $3.3 million, with Hawaiʻi possibly receiving about 1 million eggs for food banks; the DOJ alleges major producers coordinated to manipulate a daily benchmark index. Housing Affordability: A LendingTree analysis finds fewer than 4 in 10 non-homeowner households can afford a typical starter home, with an income gap that may be hard to close without more entry-level inventory. Public Policy & Health Costs: A federal report flags Hawaii SNAP payment error rates above the national average, raising concerns about potential future financial exposure under new rules. Energy & Cost of Living: Trump again pressured gas retailers to cut prices “immediately,” as nationwide pump prices ease but not as fast as oil costs. Legal & Business Climate: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s birthright citizenship limits and also expanded gun-rights direction by taking up assault-style rifle cases, adding uncertainty for states and businesses tied to compliance.

Antitrust & Food Prices: Hawaii’s AG announced a multistate settlement tied to illegal egg price-fixing, requiring major producers to pay $3.3 million and deliver about 53 million free eggs to food banks nationwide, with roughly 1 million eggs expected for Hawaii. Weather & Trade Winds: Honolulu’s forecast calls for breezy trade-wind conditions with passing low clouds and showers, plus a humidity uptick midweek and localized heavier downpours possible. Energy Markets: As Strait of Hormuz traffic resumes, Asian refiners are reportedly redirecting Middle East crude cargoes westward, including potential shipments to Hawaii. Local Business Rules: A new Hawaii ahi country-of-origin labeling law takes effect July 1, requiring covered retailers to label raw processed ahi by where it was landed. Regulation Clash: Hemp and CBD sellers say new state rules could force closures as enforcement begins Wednesday, with some seeking court delays. Public Safety & Economy: Honolulu is funding two medical respite centers after state support ended, aiming to keep homeless patients out of hospitals and urgent care. Aviation & Tech: Hawaiian Airlines topped a reliability study for the fewest delays and cancellations, while Qualcomm set its Snapdragon Summit for Sept. 22–24 in Hawaii.

Defense & Logistics: The U.S. Army is looking to drone boats to fix watercraft shortages in the Pacific, aiming to test autonomous vessels as early as next summer and potentially buy 30–100 container-capable systems for US PACOM operations. Military Contracting in Hawaii: NAVSUP FLC Pearl Harbor is executing more than $1M in contracted support for RIMPAC 2026, including buses, cranes/tugs, sanitation, and reception services across multiple islands. Hawaiʻi Gun Law Fallout: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s default ban on carrying firearms on private property open to the public, challenging “sensitive places” limits. Health Policy: Hawaii AG Peter Neronha joined a coalition suing the Trump administration over unlawful Medicaid work requirements. Local Housing Rebuild: Hunt Capital Partners marked the reopening of Kaiāulu o Kupuohi in Lahaina, an 89-unit affordable community rebuilt after the 2023 wildfires. Aviation & Interisland/Regional Routes: Pacific Air Charters says it expects to start American Samoa commuter operations later in 2026, pending FAA approvals. Tech Security: Cloudastructure was selected to deploy AI surveillance and remote guarding across two multifamily communities in Arizona, with expansion plans including Hawaii. Retail/Travel Consumer Watch: Red Lobster brings back Crabfest starting June 29 with more customization and new flavors.

Defense & Aviation: Boeing is again being linked to restarting C-17 Globemaster production after an 11-year shutdown, as the Air Force weighs feasibility for new strategic airlifters. Markets & Inflation Watch: Gold is returning toward “fair value” as U.S. M2 money supply rises, keeping investors focused on liquidity and pricing pressure. Tourism & Local Recovery: A new 90-day North Shore Huakai shuttle pilot (starting June 29) aims to drive spending for Haleiwa and Waialua businesses after March Kona Low storms. Coastal Erosion & Resort Economics: Maui officials and hotels are backing a sand-rescue plan for Ka’anapali Beach, but locals worry trucking in sand could worsen access and impacts. Wildlife & Safety: A UH Manoa-led statewide study finds vehicle collisions are the leading documented cause of pueo deaths, with road-side hunting behavior making prevention a practical issue. Community & Governance: Maui County’s monthly Lahaina Community Meeting will cover evacuation management, school rebuild status, Hawaiian Electric projects, and buyout programs. Business Climate & Workforce: U.S. GDP grew 2.1% in Q1 (revised up), with investment, exports and government spending supporting growth.

Tourism & Local Relief: A new 90-day North Shore Huaka‘i shuttle pilot is set to launch Monday to help Haleiwa and Waialua businesses still struggling after March’s Kona-low storms and access problems, with the Hawaiian Council covering most of the $200,000 budget. Public Safety & Policy: Hawaii’s updated driver’s license design is rolling out to fix TSA scanning issues, with enhanced security features and a new look expected “soon,” though exact timing for appointments remains unclear. Business & Governance: A former Honolulu city employee was arrested over an alleged $800,000 Hawai‘i Foodbank purchase tied to claimed CARES Act reimbursement, raising questions about how pandemic funds were handled. Community & Economy: Hawaii’s America250 presence in Washington, D.C. includes a Smithsonian natural history exhibit featuring a lava rock for the state—an underwhelming pick for some residents, but a sign of how the islands are being marketed to visitors. Weather & Operations: Trade winds stay steady but humidity and rain chances rise into the workweek, with windward/mauka showers most likely. Local Culture: July 4 celebrations on the Big Island include a Kona marathon and Hilo Bay 5K ahead of fireworks on Hilo Bayfront and Ali‘i Drive.

OHA Media Expansion: Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees voted to advance due diligence on a potential acquisition of KITV and KIKU, aiming to expand Native Hawaiian ownership and influence in Hawaii’s media landscape. Community Philanthropy: Hawai‘i Community Foundation marked 25 years of Waimea giving with $500,000 in 2026 Richard Smart Fund grants supporting 29 local programs across culture, education, health and safety. Tourism & Local Business: On Kauai, Makana Charters is leaning into peak summer demand with expanded Na Pali Coast catamaran tours, including Na Pali Kai III’s 360-degree deck and more departures for snorkelers and sunset cruisers. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu “Episode 50” ended after about seven hours of lava fountaining, with ash fallout possible in Ka‘ū and Highway 11 areas. Sustainability Innovation: Hawai‘i researchers are testing whether recycled fishing nets and plastic waste can be turned into asphalt for roads, targeting both environmental and cost pressures. Health & Prevention: The 35th Annual Honolulu AIDS Walk at Kapiolani Park drew more than 1,000 participants to support HIV prevention, testing and services.

OHA Media Ownership: Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees voted to advance further due diligence on a potential acquisition involving KITV and KIKU, framing it as a rare chance to expand Native Hawaiian ownership and influence in Hawaii’s media—while stressing it’s not the end of the process. Tourism & Local Business: On Kauai, Makana Charters’ Na Pali Kai III is leading summer departures with a 360-degree walk-around deck, plus expanded snorkel and sunset cruise options as calmer, clearer summer water boosts sea cave and wildlife viewing. Maui Recycling Crunch: A Central Maui recycling center at UH Maui College in Kahului is set to permanently close Tuesday, raising concerns about convenience and sustainability as the county points residents to alternative drop sites. Community Grants for Kupuna: AARP Community Challenge funding is helping Molokai homesteaders repair kūpuna homes, including $15,000 for Ho’olehua Homesteaders Association, with additional support for a kupuna community garden. Weather Watch: Breezy trade winds and light showers continue, with a wetter pattern building next week—important for travel planning and business operations. National Policy Ripple: The U.S. Supreme Court’s gun-rights expansion is prompting Hawaii legal review and could reshape rules for private businesses statewide.

Aviation & Tourism: The Hawaii-linked airline connectivity story is making waves beyond the islands as IVEDC warns a proposed switch in Imperial Valley service could cut direct LAX access—highlighting how interline agreements can make or break travel economics. Public Safety & Community Services: Honolulu Police executed two search warrants tied to sex trafficking and prostitution, but focused on offering services to alleged sex workers rather than treating them only as offenders. State Budget & Governance: Gov. Josh Green signed two budget bills and published an intent-to-veto list for 4 measures, including items tied to housing leadership compensation, emergency funding, and education. Local Business Support: Hawaii County opened applications for a Kona Low Business Recovery Grant Program, offering up to $10,000 based on revenue and storm-related need. Legal & Business Climate: Hawaii’s Supreme Court decision allows parts of a Maui Lani grading challenge to proceed, reinforcing protections around ancestral burial sites while shaping how development timelines move forward. Technology & Travel: Alaska and Hawaiian are expanding Starlink-equipped aircraft to improve in-flight Wi-Fi reliability, a direct quality-of-service boost for frequent travelers. Weather & Operations: Trade winds and passing showers continue through the weekend, with wetter conditions expected next week—important for tourism, construction, and outdoor events.

Second Amendment Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaiʻi’s “permission” requirement for carrying guns into stores and hotels, a major shift that could ripple through how private businesses set firearm rules. State Oversight: Hawaiʻi’s attorney general says the decision will be reviewed as advocates and gun-rights groups watch for next steps in lower courts. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu summit eruption resumed with weak precursory spattering, and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says episode 50 fountaining is most likely today or tomorrow—prompting renewed ash and downwind precautions. Electric Aviation in Hawaiʻi: BETA Technologies and Surf Air Mobility began electric aircraft demonstration flights in Hawaiʻi, with Hawaiian Airlines supporting feasibility and stakeholder engagement. Local Business Moves: Blue Hawaiian named new executive leadership; Waiakea water expands distribution to Japan; and Akakū Maui Community Media will televise and live-stream the Makawao Parade. Media & Community: OHA advanced possible due diligence for a KITV/KIKU purchase, while CAPE announced its 2026 Emerging Executives Committee.

Second Amendment Overhaul: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s “vampire” gun-permission rule, ruling that concealed carry permit holders can bring firearms onto private property open to the public unless owners clearly bar them with notice. OHA Media Move: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs advanced due diligence on a potential acquisition of KITV and KIKU, pitching stronger Native Hawaiian storytelling while critics question the cost and operations. Clean Aviation Test: Mokulele Airlines will test electric cargo flights with BETA Technologies, marking Hawaii’s first operational cargo trial using battery-powered aircraft. Climate Data for Residents: UH’s new Hawaii Climate Data Portal starts free monthly, localized rainfall and drought updates for neighborhoods and coastlines beginning July 1. Ticket Scalping Warning: Journey’s Honolulu-area concert promoter says hundreds of speculative listings are already appearing on resale sites before official sales, urging fans to use Ticketmaster. Coastal Resilience Planning: Final conceptual designs for the Olowalu-Ukumehame coastline resilience project will be presented July 9 at Maui Ocean Center. Local Business & Jobs: Kauai Coffee secured a 15-year lease to keep its historic farm operating, protecting local jobs and certifications. Retail Layoffs: Nordstrom Rack in Waikiki will permanently close July 27, affecting 34 employees.