AGP Executive Report

Big Tech & Kids Online: Hawaii is among the states backing a sweeping $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta over alleged harms to children on Instagram and Facebook, with Meta facing court-ordered safety upgrades and limits aimed at reducing addictive design and protecting minors. Child Exploitation Case: A dual U.S.-Canadian citizen and alleged repeat child sexual predator was arrested in Canada at the request of U.S. authorities after an earlier Hawaii indictment tied to sexual exploitation of a child. Hurricane Lala Aftermath: President Trump approved Hawaiʻi’s request for a federal emergency declaration after Tropical Cyclone Lala, unlocking FEMA assistance for Hawaiʻi County, Maui County and Honolulu. Local Safety & Health: Hawaii Department of Health warned about fentanyl-laced cocaine in Honolulu, as police continue investigating related overdoses. Volcano Update: Kīlauea’s 54th eruptive episode ended after about nine hours of lava fountaining, with ashfall concerns easing as conditions shift. Sports & Community: UH and Hawaiian Airlines continue their partnership with new jersey patch plans, while Hawaii News Now highlighted a $3.25 million settlement in the Peter Boy Kema wrongful death case.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: FEMA approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaiʻi County, with 75% federal funding for emergency protective measures, as Hawaiian Electric reports about 4,330 Big Island customers still without power and crews press on in hardest-hit Kaʻū and Puna areas. Local Infrastructure & Safety: Haleakalā summit reopened after Tropical Storm Lala, while state officials warn residents to watch for “storm chaser” scams and imposters asking for money or personal info. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea’s 54th eruptive episode is underway, with lava fountains reaching about 500 feet and ash impacts possible for Kaʻū and Pāhala. Environment & Wildlife: NOAA confirmed the fifth Hawaiian monk seal death on Oʻahu this year, and Ocean Safety posted shark warning signs at Sunset Beach after a non-aggressive blacktip sighting. Community & Culture: Ikaika Aki was named UH women’s water polo head coach, and Young’s Fish Market marked 75 years in Honolulu with a community giveaway. Local Governance: DLNR is investigating vandals who illegally cut down more than 10 eucalyptus trees in the ʻEwa Forest Reserve and installed a bench.

Hurricane Recovery Watch: Hawaiʻi County officials say Tropical Storm Moke weakened and pulled south enough that it largely missed the most damaged Kaʻū areas, allowing crews to shift back to restoring roads, water and power as the flood watch was canceled. Local Government: Maui’s Housing and Land Use Committee advanced a Haʻikū fire station project 6-2, moving three land-use measures forward despite ongoing disputes over the land’s title. Public Safety: Honolulu Police are investigating the death of Southwest flight attendant Jenny Lupton, found after an apparent fall from a Waikīkī hotel balcony; her family disputes suicide and wants answers. Health Costs: A new analysis ranks Hawaiʻi among the states with the highest healthcare cost burden relative to income, underscoring affordability pressure for residents. Education Snapshot: Multiple Michigan school enrollment reports show Hawaiian students remain extremely small in local districts, with one Ingham County school listing 0.1% Hawaiian enrollment in 2024-25.

Hurricane Lala recovery: Hawaiian Electric says more crews and equipment have arrived to speed power restoration on Hawaiʻi Island, including new Oʻahu lineworker teams in Kona and additional arrivals in Hilo, plus Southern California Edison support; still, about 6,390 customers remain without power as Tropical Storm Moke slows repairs. Waikiki death investigation: Honolulu police are investigating the death of Southwest flight attendant Jenny Lupton, found outside her Waikiki hotel during a layover; HPD says detectives are interviewing, reviewing surveillance, and examining evidence, with no conclusions yet on manner of death. Local politics: State Rep. Kanani Souza has filed a Hawaii Supreme Court challenge after a deadlocked House District 43 primary, citing a ballot overage in one precinct that she says matters when the margin is zero. Public health: Hawaiʻi is marking September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, with state and partner efforts spanning schools, first responders, and community gatekeeper training. Education & youth: UH Mānoa welcomed about 50,000 students for the fall semester, and a UH Mānoa STEM program reached 422 keiki across Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauaʻi. Culture: A new mural at UH Mānoa Bookstore celebrates campus plants and community stories through local artist Rachel Radona’s botanical-inspired artwork.

Tropical Storm Moke: Moke weakened to a tropical depression as it passed south of the islands, but Hawaii Island still faces heavy rain and flash-flood risk while gusts could reach about 55 mph on the Big Island and 45 mph on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Hurricane Lāla recovery: Officials and residents are still bracing for flooding and mudslides after Lāla’s damage, with power and water repairs ongoing in storm-hit areas. Local business help: Punaluʻu Bake Shop in Nāʻalehu donated its last pallets of sweet bread to Kaʻū community members after Lāla severely damaged the bakery. Community stewardship: Koʻiʻula volunteers joined a Mālama the Wetlands event to restore the Lāʻie wetlands in South Maui, teaching cultural protocols alongside cleanup work. Honolulu travel safety: A Southwest Airlines flight attendant, Jenny Lupton, was found dead in Waikīkī after a reported fall from a hotel balcony; police are treating it as an unattended death while family questions the circumstances. Business spotlight: Hawaii.com is inviting local businesses to join a new Deals marketplace launching in September.

Tropical Storm Moke Recovery Watch: Moke passed just south of Hawaiʻi Sunday, but the Big Island still faces a flood risk after Hurricane Lala. Officials say the main threat is heavy rain on already-saturated ground, with a Flood Watch through Monday afternoon and a Wind Advisory until midnight for east-northeast areas; Gov. Josh Green said impacts so far look lighter than feared and announced extra response support, including hotel rooms and a C-17 “Trek 808” mission. Hawaiʻi Island Water & Power: The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply reported outages at key boosters and tanks in Kaʻū, Puna, Kona and North Kohala, urging essential water use; Green also said about 6,600 customers remained without power Sunday morning. Storm Aid on the Ground: In Kaʻū, an Ocean View community hub is serving about 1,000 meals a day and volunteers are organizing helicopter drops to isolated homes. Airport Disruptions: Baggage screening outages at HNL Terminal 2 were resolved, but travelers were told to arrive early while equipment was down. Local Cleanup: Hawaiʻi County will start residential storm debris pickup in Kau communities Monday through Aug. 28, with transfer stations open daily. Public Safety: Honolulu police are investigating a targeted stabbing at Neal S. Blaisdell Park that left a 25-year-old man in critical condition.

Storm Recovery Watch: Tropical Storm Moke is passing south of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island and is expected to dump heavy rain and gusty winds on already storm-weary communities, with a flood watch in effect through Monday; forecasters warn of life-threatening flooding and mudslides where Hurricane Lala left ground saturated, especially on windward and southeast slopes, with totals of 5–10 inches and isolated up to 15 inches on the Big Island. Local Safety: Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a driveway crash in Mountain View that critically injured a 3-year-old girl after a pickup truck rolled back and struck her; the child was medevacked to Oʻahu for further treatment. Travel & Economy: Norwegian Cruise Line says the Norwegian Spirit will sail 2028 summer itineraries linking South Pacific ports with Hawaiʻi and French Polynesia, including departures from Honolulu. Community & Culture: Hawaii News Now won three Regional Emmy Awards, including for coverage of an Aliamanu deadly fireworks explosion and a “Back to School” episode of “Kitchen Scraps.” Environment: Rare Blackburn’s Sphinx Moth caterpillars were found again on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, breaking decades-long gaps and helping guide future monitoring.

Storm Recovery & Federal Help: Gov. Josh Green has formally requested a presidential emergency declaration for Hawaiʻi County, Maui County and the City & County of Honolulu after Hurricane Lala, seeking specialized federal resources as Tropical Storm Moke approaches. Moke Threat & Safety Moves: Moke is expected to pass south of the islands but still bring 5–10 inches of rain (up to 15 in spots) and gusty winds, with a flood watch for Hawaiʻi Island and a wind advisory for parts of the island chain. Shelters Opening: Hawaiʻi County is opening multiple shelters starting 8 p.m., including Naʻalehu Elementary and Robert N. Herkes Gym, with generator power and pet-friendly rules. Power Restoration Watch: Hawaiian Electric says it has restored power to about 2,500 Hawaiʻi Island customers, with about 8,800 still without power as crews work around storm impacts. Local Fire Update: Kauai firefighters responded to smoke reports in Wainiha, finding smoldering hot spots tied to an earlier brush fire, with no injuries or road closures reported.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii is bracing for heavy rain and flooding risk this weekend into early next week, with a Flood Watch for the Big Island late Saturday night through Monday and totals of 5–10 inches, locally up to 15 on saturated ground left by Hurricane Lala; officials also warn of mudslides, gusty winds, and hazardous surf even if the storm stays south of the islands. Hurricane Lala recovery: Hawaiʻi County continues road repairs, water restoration, and community supply distribution, including hot showers and device-charging sites for residents still dealing with outages and damage. Infrastructure: A major Honolulu Harbor upgrade is moving forward as three new electric gantry cranes arrive for the Skyline expansion/cargo terminal work, part of a $555 million effort to expand ocean cargo operations. Local life: A Michigan school report shows Burton Elementary enrolled 1 Hawaiian student (0.3%) in 2024–25. Culture/entertainment: A Love Island “Casa Amor” Hawaii estate tied to the show is listed for $3.25 million.

Tropical Storm Moke: Hawaii is bracing for another round of heavy rain and dangerous surf as Moke forms and is declared a tropical storm, with the National Hurricane Center forecasting the center to pass south of the Big Island this weekend and south of the smaller islands early next week; a Flood Watch is in effect for the Big Island, where forecasters warn of 5–10 inches of rain (up to 15 inches in spots), plus gusty winds and life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and rip currents, especially in windward and southeast areas still soaked by Hurricane Lala. Local Emergency Prep: HIEMA is urging Wahiawa residents near or downstream of the Wahiawa Dam to review evacuation routes as reservoir levels sit at 77.5 feet and dam upgrades are underway; Maui and county officials also stress securing homes, stocking supplies, and checking on kūpuna. Power Update (Hawaiian Electric): After Lala, Hawaiian Electric expects nearly all Big Island customers to have power restored by Friday, with about 11,290 still without service as of late morning, while Oʻahu and Maui are essentially back online. Federal Privacy Ruling: A US judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from accessing sensitive data tied to 17 million commercial drivers, a move that could affect federal funding tied to the database operator. Sports (Hawaii connection): Hawaii-born pro Andre Ilagan earned a US Open men’s qualifying wild card after consecutive Challenger finals.

Tropical Storm Watch: Hawaii is still digging out from Hurricane Lala, but forecasters say another system—Tropical Depression Two-C expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Moke—could bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the Big Island this weekend into early next week, with up to 15 inches possible in steep, already-saturated areas. Recovery Updates: Officials warn the ground is soaked and flooding, mudslides, and dangerous surf are key concerns; Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is set to close again by 5 p.m. today for storm safety, while Haleakalā’s Summit District remains closed through the weekend and Kīpahulu is open. Local Impacts: The latest guidance echoes earlier Lala damage—power restoration is still uneven and residents are urged to take action now rather than wait. Statewide Context: Researchers say Lala dumped an estimated 1.3 trillion gallons of rain statewide, including extreme localized downpours that triggered flash flooding.

Tropical Storm Watch: Hawaii is bracing for Tropical Depression Two-C, forecast to strengthen into Tropical Storm Moke and pass south of the islands, with heavy rain and flash-flood risk—especially for the Big Island’s Kaʻū and Puna areas still soaked from Hurricane Lala. Storm Recovery: Hawaiian Electric says power is back for all Oahu and Maui customers, while about 13,000 remain without service on Hawaii Island; crews are joined by mutual-aid workers from California. Local Safety & Infrastructure: A Kaimuki stretch of 11th Avenue stays closed after a partial ceiling collapse at Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant injured four women; repairs are ongoing. Public Health: CDC data show lower kindergarten vaccination rates in Hawaiʻi for 2025-26, with religious exemptions rising. Law Enforcement: HPD shut down a narcotics operation on Keeaumoku Street; three people were arrested. Environment: NOAA confirmed the death of a young Hawaiian monk seal on Oʻahu’s North Shore. Community & Culture: The 32nd Made in Hawaii Festival and the new Kilo Summit experience kick off this weekend at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Tropical Storm Watch: Hawaii is still recovering from Hurricane Lala, but forecasters say a new system has a 90% chance to form southeast of the islands, with a tropical depression possible today and potential impacts this weekend—especially on the Big Island, where officials are urging residents to prepare now. Power and Roads: Hawaiian Electric reports major progress restoring service—about 17,000 customers still without power on Hawaii Island as crews work through mud, boulders, and washed-out roads; some repairs could take up to two weeks in hardest-hit areas. Health Alerts: The Department of Health warns of brown water after flooding, plus food-safety risks after outages and dangers from floodwater and cleanup. Local Aid: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs delivered about 1,500 pounds of supplies to isolated Kaʻū communities, using partners including KTA and Home Depot. Policy and Oversight: Lawmakers are also weighing tougher rules for “predatory” towing practices, while the state board rejected an East Maui water diversion auction proposal.

Hurricane Lala Aftermath: Hawaii Island recovery continues as HECO reports about 99% power restored on Oʻahu, 98% on Maui, and 75% on Hawaiʻi Island, with roughly 17,000 customers still dark and some Kaʻū/Naʻalehu areas facing outages that could last weeks. Human Impact: Floodwaters and mudslides in Nāʻālehu damaged the local cemetery, with remains and headstones disturbed, as residents count the cost and brace for a long cleanup. Next Storm Watch: Officials are tracking Invest 90E, with a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression within 48 hours; the City says conditions could shift early next week and urges residents to stay prepared. Local Safety: Honolulu Fire and EMS warn hikers that swollen streams and muddy trails can stay dangerous for days after heavy rain, following a rescue on Makaua Hidden Garden Trail. Public Services: Honolulu Statehood Day schedules include holiday operations for key services, while recovery crews keep working and the city monitors the new disturbance. Health & Food Safety: DOH authorized the reopening of HI SHACK in Honolulu after follow-up inspections found food-safety violations corrected. Crime & Courts: A man was indicted for a fatal Keʻeaumoku Street stabbing, and HPD shut down an illegal gambling game room in Kapolei, arresting a 49-year-old woman. Infrastructure: Three all-electric container cranes arrived at Honolulu Harbor to support the Kapalama terminal expansion. Sports: Former UH tennis player Andre Ilagan earned a wild card into the U.S. Open.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Crews are still restoring power after the storm, with Hawaiian Electric projecting 95% of customers back by Friday, though some Hawaii Island areas could take at least two weeks; officials say Lala killed a 90-year-old woman in Naalehu and left major damage to roads, bridges, and remote communities. Community Aid: Hawai‘i County led supply convoys into Ka‘ū with ice, water and essentials, while Hawai‘i Police Department “Fill a Police Cruiser” Kōkua drives in Kona and Hilo collect diapers, infant formula, hygiene items and more. Tropical Watch: Forecasters are monitoring a disturbance in the eastern Pacific with a likely tropical depression by late week/weekend, and models suggest another system could pass south of the islands Sunday into Monday. Local Weather: Trade winds ease through Friday with more showers, then strengthen again over the weekend. Civic/Legal: Oahu voters filed a Hawaii Supreme Court challenge over Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ election eligibility. Women’s Equality: WalletHub ranked Hawaii No. 1 for women’s equality in 2026, while California placed ninth.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: State and county offices and most public schools are set to reopen Wednesday, with Naalehu Elementary on the Big Island staying closed through Thursday as crews finish storm damage and road access work. Power and Safety: Hawaiian Electric crews report progress restoring power on the Big Island, while some Oʻahu neighborhoods like Kalihi Valley say outages have dragged on for days. Health Watch: The state Department of Health confirmed a new travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu, urging residents to eliminate standing water after Lala flooding. Local Incidents: In Kaimuki, Honolulu Fire and EMS responded to a partial roof collapse at a Chinese restaurant; four women in their 80s were treated, one taken to the ER in stable condition. Community Planning: Makiki residents are invited to a street-safety meeting focused on reducing crashes along the Wilder Avenue corridor. Fire/Utilities: A gas leak prompted an evacuation at the Costco Iwilei.