AGP Executive Report

Public Safety: Hawaii Island police arrested Jacob Baker, 36, in the Puna triple-homicide manhunt, taking him into custody after tips led officers to a small cave near Kalapana; authorities called him “armed and extremely dangerous” and linked him to the deaths of three elderly men found across the area over two days. Courts & Community Impact: As questions linger about what could have stopped the killings, reporting notes two women sought temporary restraining orders against Baker days before the first body was found—only to be denied—raising concerns about the restraining-order process. Local Sports: Kohala High School standout Layden Kauka was named to the HHSAA Hall of Honor Class of 2026, earning a scholarship and set to be celebrated in Honolulu. West Oʻahu Growth: Amazon’s proposed $600 million Kapolei fulfillment center drew skepticism from residents at a neighborhood board meeting, with the project needing zoning changes due to height limits. Hawaiian Business & Travel: Hawaiian Airlines will shift Main Cabin meals to a pre-order menu starting July 1, partnering with Maui chef Sheldon Simeon.

Public Safety: Hawaii Island police say Jacob Baker is linked to three Puna homicides in under 48 hours and warn residents not to approach him as “armed and extremely dangerous.” Wildlife Protection: A Washington tourist pleaded not guilty in federal court after allegedly throwing a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal; the court ordered him to stay away from beaches and marine wildlife. Healthcare Policy: Rep. Jill Tokuda backed a Rural Hospital Revitalization Act that would provide up to 10 years of interest-free USDA loans to build, repair, and modernize rural hospitals. Housing & Community: Gov. Josh Green and HomeAid Hawaii opened the state’s 26th Kauhale in Waimanalo, a 20-home intergenerational village for families and kupuna experiencing homelessness. Internet Safety: Hawaii AG Anne Lopez joined a bipartisan coalition opposing a federal kids online safety bill, arguing it could weaken state enforcement while shielding big tech. Local Culture: Maui poet Noʻu Revilla is set to read June 4 at Hui No’eau, sharing work shaped by Lahaina’s 2023 fires and water history.

Local Politics & Integrity: A state Attorney General probe is widening after questions tied to a “paper bag” and insider shakeups involving Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Human Services Director Ryan Yamane, and former PUC chair Leo Asuncion, with COVID-test contracts now in focus. Public Safety: A Washington tourist accused of hurling a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal pleaded not guilty in federal court and was ordered to stay away from Hawaii beaches and marine wildlife during the case. Business & Jobs: Amazon returned to West Oahu neighborhood boards to discuss a massive Kapolei/Makakilo fulfillment center plan that could bring over 1,000 full-time jobs if approved. Community & Education: Kealakehe High School students earned “telescope time” through Maunakea Scholars, while Hawaii County’s Learn to Swim Program returns for summer 2026. Infrastructure: $4 million was released for Hilo airport T-hangar and west ramp improvements. Sports: UH women’s track and field will send four athletes to the NCAA West First Round Outdoor Championships.

Big Island Public Safety: Hawaii Island police say a manhunt is underway for 36-year-old Jacob Daniel Baker, considered armed and extremely dangerous, after two elderly men were found dead in separate homes on Papaya Farms Road in Puna and a third homicide is believed to be connected. Police urge residents not to approach him and to call 911 or CrimeStoppers with tips. Waianae Investigation: HPD is probing reports of shots fired and a late-night fight near Helelua St., with officers finding signs someone may have been injured. Monk Seal Protection: Federal charges are pending against a tourist accused of throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal on Maui, with prosecutors saying the act violated endangered-species and marine-mammal laws. Community Health: A Honolulu Harbor clinic is marking 10 years of free care for immigrant fishermen, expanding from a church-led effort to a weekly medical stop. Hurricane Preparedness: NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are rolling out a revamped hurricane cone that includes inland watches and warnings for Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Alerts: HPD is also searching for a missing 58-year-old man with medical needs on Oahu.

WWII Remains Identified: The U.S. Army says Missouri native 1st Lt. Robert P. Aikman was formally accounted for after remains were identified from a mass grave in what is now Taiwan, decades after his POW death during Japanese transport ship attacks. Local Safety & Enforcement: Hawaii AG Anne Lopez and other Democratic AGs say VP JD Vance’s anti-fraud “roundtable” is a political stunt, while Honolulu’s police commission backs David Lazar as chief amid calls for a clear no-cooperation stance with federal immigration enforcement. Wildlife & Courts: A tourist accused of throwing a rock at a rare Hawaiian monk seal faces federal court, with his lawyer alleging he was assaulted and doxed. Disaster Aftershocks: A 6.0 quake left nearly 150 properties damaged on Hawai‘i Island, including destroyed homes in South Kona, and water systems are still reeling. Big Business in Kapolei: Amazon is pushing to expand in Kapolei, seeking a height-limit change for a massive warehouse and fulfillment center. Food Security Vote: A Honolulu charter commission move puts a proposed $8M-a-year food fund on the November ballot. Summer Strain: City Summer Fun programs show heavy demand, with waitlists topping 1,400 kids.

Doctor Shortage Pressure: Honolulu primary care is bracing for a hit after HMSA issued a 60-day notice that it will end a per-patient monthly payment and switch back to paying doctors for individual services starting July 1—an abrupt change that one Punchbowl practice owner, Dr. Katie Min, says could cost her at least $50,000 a year and further strain an already tight doctor supply. Local Business & Community: Hawaiian Bros Island Grill opened its first Norman location on Campus Corner, touting made-from-scratch plate-lunch classics and grand-opening giveaways. Maui Election Prep: Maui voters are set to receive yellow signature cards by mail to confirm registration and update signatures ahead of the 2026 elections. Public Safety: A 28-year-old died in a late-night Farrington Highway crash in Kapolei after rear-ending a 60-year-old driver and being ejected; speed is believed to be a factor. Regional Defense Readiness: The U.S. and Palau boosted Palau’s disaster communications with new radio systems installed at 10 key locations.

HMSA Doctor Shortage Worry: Honolulu doctors are sounding the alarm after HMSA moved to a new reimbursement plan that cuts a steady monthly payment and switches to pay-for-services starting July 1, a change one Punchbowl primary-care practice says could cost at least $50,000 a year and strain small clinics. Local Parks at Risk: A last-minute state bill threat is roiling community programs at Kīlauea District Park, where volunteer-led classes like free weekly mahjong could be shut down if the governor signs the measure. Memorial Day Remembrance: Across Hawaiʻi, ceremonies at Punchbowl and Maui’s veterans cemetery drew thousands of families honoring service members and the generations they left behind. Coast Guard Update: The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing 61-year-old fisherman west of Oʻahu after days of searching, following discovery of his boat. Hawaiʻi News Beyond: Alaska Airlines launched new nonstop Europe routes, while “The White Lotus” begins filming season four in Cannes.

Honoka‘a Apartment Fire: Firefighters responding to Hale Hauoli Apartments on Koniaka Place knocked down a fully involved unit fire by 11:12 p.m., with crews fully extinguishing it at 12:45 a.m.; one animal was rescued, no lives or other apartments were threatened, and the cause is still undetermined. Air Travel Disruption: Hawaiian Airlines Flight AS821 from Seattle landed safely in Honolulu after a low-pressure alert for a nose-wheel tire; mechanics changed the tire and the aircraft was towed to a gate. Time Policy Fight: A House committee advanced the “Sunshine Protection Act” to make daylight saving time permanent, reviving a debate that’s stalled before—now with renewed push tied to President Trump. Surf Spotlight: Carissa Moore and Italo Ferreira won at the New Zealand Pro in Raglan after a delay caused by an in-water photographer injury. Local Safety Watch: The Coast Guard is still searching for a 61-year-old fisherman missing off O‘ahu’s Waianae coast.

Public Safety & Infrastructure: Hawaii County moves to widen Puna’s Government Beach Road by using eminent domain to acquire 3.74 acres, a long-running fight tied to road work spilling onto private land. Local Governance: A fresh push in Honolulu centers on who should lead HPD, with letters arguing the mayor should pick the police chief after repeated commission misfires. Courts & Culture: A motion-to-dismiss hearing is set for June 15 over Kamehameha Schools’ Keauhou Bay bungalow resort plan, with critics saying endowed-land rules and transparency are at stake. Health & Community: World Central Kitchen is scaling Gaza hot-meal deliveries back to pre-ceasefire levels due to funding pressure, while stressing need hasn’t dropped. Sports: In New Zealand, a “shark or sea lion” bite sent a WSL photographer to hospital and paused the event before play resumed; Carissa Moore and Italo Ferreira later won the titles.

Honolulu Police: The Honolulu Police Commission voted 5-2 to name David Lazar as the next HPD chief, a pick now sparking calls to change the commission’s rules and who gets final say. Big Island Quake Aftermath: County Civil Defense is urging residents and businesses to report damage from Friday’s 6.0 quake near Honaunau-Napo‘opo‘o to help prioritize help if state or federal aid kicks in. Kīlauea Watch: USGS says Kīlauea’s summit eruption remains paused, but forecast models point to an episode between May 25 and May 26. Public Safety: A Mountain View man was charged with eight weapons offenses after police found multiple loaded firearms, ammunition, and a ballistic vest following a report of suicidal and homicidal thoughts. Community Relief: Hawaiʻi Kia dealerships packed 600 food bags for kids across four islands, and an influencer’s new podcast episode is funding two Hawaiʻi relief efforts. Weather: Trade winds and showers are expected to stay fairly steady through the week.

Korea-Canada Naval Drills: The ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine just arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in Victoria for joint drills, completing a record 14,000-kilometer trans-Pacific voyage via Guam and Hawaii—an eye-catching show of long-range capability as Seoul pushes a major Canadian submarine deal. Big Island Earthquake Aftermath: A 6.0 quake hit Friday night near Honaunau-Napoopoo; no tsunami threat was issued, and Hawaiian Electric has been restoring power while monitoring wildfire-risk weather and wind advisories. Housing Access Pressure: New research says mortgage approvals are getting harder for hourly and gig workers because lenders increasingly demand income that’s steady and predictable—not just high. Public Health Watch: Health officials warn warmer temperatures could bring an early rise in West Nile cases. Ocean Weirdness: Floating plastic “Frankenstein shorelines” in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch are being linked to a new, adapting marine ecosystem. Local Good News: GCA awarded 22 scholarships for trade careers, backing pathways into skilled construction work.

Big Island Earthquake Aftermath: A magnitude-6.0 quake hit 12 km south of Hōnaunau-Nāpōpoʻo Friday night, with no tsunami threat. Power Restoration: Hawaiian Electric says about 70 of 1,000 Big Island customers are still without power, plus outages tied to an early crash in Keauhou, while crews work and officials warn of debris and unstable ground. Volcano Watch: USGS and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory say the quake appears linked to stress from the oceanic plate—not a direct volcanic trigger—though scientists are still keeping a close eye on nearby systems. Local Politics: Maui Council member Kauanoe Batangan filed nomination papers to run for the seat, framing his campaign around accountability and economic stability. Energy Debate: A new anti-LNG coalition is urging Hawaii to scrutinize JERA’s push for an Oʻahu LNG terminal, arguing it could drain money from cleaner options. National Shake-Up: Tulsi Gabbard resigned as U.S. intelligence chief, citing her husband’s rare bone cancer.

Earthquake Watch: A strong magnitude 6.0 quake struck near Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo on Hawaiʻi Island late Friday, with USGS assessing activity around Kīlauea and officials saying there’s no tsunami threat—though residents across the islands reported shaking and aftershocks remain possible. Intelligence Shake-Up: Tulsi Gabbard resigned as U.S. Director of National Intelligence, effective June 30, citing her husband’s rare bone cancer; Trump praised her work and named Aaron Lukas as acting director. Reproductive Health Access: Planned Parenthood in Washington and Hawaii launched “Just In Case,” letting patients get medication abortion pills before pregnancy via telehealth or in-person visits. Local Housing & Homelessness: Oʻahu’s Point-in-Time count found fewer people overall but a sharp rise in homeless families and keiki, driven by housing costs and instability. Public Safety: Hawaiian Electric said it may use PSPS within 24 hours in high-risk areas if conditions worsen, urging customers to be ready for outages.

National Intelligence Shake-Up: Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Trump’s director of national intelligence, effective June 30, saying she must step away to support her husband, who has been diagnosed with an extremely rare bone cancer; Trump says her principal deputy, Aaron Lukas, will serve as acting DNI. Hawaiʻi Public Safety: The U.S. Coast Guard is still searching for an overdue fisherman west of Oʻahu near Waianae. Local Government & Community: Maui County is taking public input through June 14 on plans for a new Lahaina community center and field house. Education Access: Hawaii’s Preschool Open Doors tuition help opens May 29, with applications accepted online through May 31, 2027 (or until funding runs out). Weather Readiness: Gov. Josh Green and emergency officials urged residents to prepare early for hurricane season. Water Disruption: Hawaiʻi County reported a Kulaʻimano Road main break in Pepeʻekeo with no service until about 1 p.m.

Hurricane Readiness: Hawaii leaders are warning residents to brace for a “very busy” Central Pacific season, with NOAA forecasting 5 to 13 cyclones near the islands and El Niño driving the odds—officials say storms can still mean flooding and damage even without landfall. Wind & Surf Alert: Gusty trade winds are already making Memorial Day weekend rough, with small craft and gale warnings and a high surf advisory for east-facing shores. Local Government: On Hawai‘i Island, the County Council unanimously approved property tax rate changes aimed at closing a roughly $15 million budget gap, including higher rates for nonresidents and second homes. Statehouse Moves: Gov. Josh Green signed four bills into law supporting public services and working families. Memorial Day Logistics: Honolulu is laying out holiday service schedules and traffic rules, while Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii released parking and participation guidance for Monday’s ceremony.

Hawai‘i Weather & Power Watch: High winds and dry conditions have prompted a Public Safety Power Shutoff watch for parts of Hawai‘i Island, with a wind advisory in place and Hawaiian Electric warning outages could follow if fire risk spikes. Surf Hazard: A high surf advisory keeps east-facing shores on alert, with waves reported around 7–10 feet and dangerous currents making swimming risky. Local Incident: Two workers were injured in Kailua after a low-hanging cable was snagged by a pickup truck. Tourism Leadership: The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has launched a search for a new president and CEO as Mufi Hannemann prepares to retire. Legislation: Lulu’s Law cleared the U.S. House and heads to the president, expanding wireless shark-attack alerts. National Climate Outlook: NOAA says the Atlantic hurricane season is likely below normal, but forecasters warn the Pacific could be busier. Sports/Entertainment: Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi dating rumors keep swirling after more Hawaii sightings, while Kamau Bell returns to stand-up on his “Who’s With Me?” tour.