AGP Executive Report

Marine Protection vs. Fishing: Trump signed a proclamation reopening Hawaiʻi’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and other Pacific protected areas to commercial fishing, drawing sharp pushback from conservation groups who warn fragile, culturally significant ecosystems will be put at risk. Local Culture & Community: Maui County is moving ahead with a Lahaina Royal Complex master plan after the 2023 fires, aiming to restore sacred sites like Mokuhinia Pond and Mokuʻula Island while centering long-term cultural and community healing. Sports as Lifestyle: Hawaiʻi’s first-ever international club volleyball tournament, Island Fest, kicks off at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center with “aloha ball” and an Adventure Day lineup that includes a lūʻau and events along the Ala Wai. Arts & Activism: The Wailuku Film Festival (opening June 17) spotlights “Mālama Mākua,” a documentary on Mākua Valley’s fight for Native Hawaiian stewardship and demilitarization, plus “Lāhainā Rising.” Education & Youth: Construction Industry of Maui scholarship awards recognize students, including a young researcher exploring nontoxic wildfire-suppression foam inspired by native Hawaiian plants. NIL & Athletics: Five donors pledge $5M to UH Mānoa athletics to support student-athletes through NIL over the next five years.

Lahaina Recovery & Culture: Lahaina Homecoming is set for July 17–19 on Front Street, with storytelling, community healing, and vendor/exhibitor applications open through June 15. Gender & Community Safety: Hawaiʻi’s trans and māhū communities are speaking out amid a national backlash, including new federal moves that target gender identity protections. Local Civic Life: Hawaiʻi’s 2026 election field is heating up, with multiple Big Island candidates filing to challenge Gov. Josh Green and compete for state and U.S. House seats. Community Connection: A national homelessness report shows a drop in 2025, but Hawaiʻi’s numbers may be distorted by how emergency shelter populations are counted. Arts & Books: Debut novelist Shay Kauwe brings “The Killing Spell” to Vroman’s in a fantasy rooted in Hawaiian language magic and future Los Angeles. Travel & Tech: Southwest is partnering with Starlink for faster in-flight internet, aiming to meet rising expectations for connectivity. Health & Lifestyle: Save Your Tooth Month proclamations were secured in Hawaiʻi, highlighting endodontic care and the push to keep natural teeth.

Hawaiʻi Community & Culture: Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in ‘Īao Valley reopened after Kona low storm repairs, but Picnic Pavilions 1 and 2 stay closed as crews finish hazard fixes after erosion and flooding. Local Environment & Land: Nearly 1,000 acres on Oʻahu’s windward Koolau mountain range are now protected from development after a $2.6M purchase, with DOFAW taking over management. Arts & Language: Cirque du Soleil’s ʻAuana released “Kele ka Moana,” a new single written entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, blending Hawaiian storytelling with the show’s signature performance style. Sports & Community Pride: UH Mānoa Athletics got a $5M NIL boost from major Hawaiʻi donors (Bank of Hawaiʻi, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, plus Tsui and Dods) to keep local talent and expand Title IX-aligned opportunities. Weekend What-to-Do (Oʻahu): A packed June 12–14 lineup includes Ko’olau Night Market, Festival Street Eats, Honolulu Harbor Nights, and the Kaka’ako Farmers Market. Wildlife Hope: The nēnē is making a comeback on Molokaʻi through translocation efforts after the species had disappeared there.

Hawaiʻi Policy & Rights: A federal complaint says HHS’s Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program illegally discriminates by requiring students to “check a race or ancestry box,” raising new questions about how Native Hawaiian education funding is structured. Environment & Public Health: Experts say the U.S. military’s ongoing presence in Hawaiʻi amounts to a public health disaster, arguing the true costs to land, water, culture, and community health are being underestimated. Courts & Community Impact: A Maui noncitizen was arraigned for allegedly voting illegally in 2022 and again in 2024—an unusual case in Hawaiʻi in decades. Local Culture: Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden’s “Lunch & Learn” tied to the Koʻolau public art installation has been postponed to July or August, but the installation remains open. Sports & Local Pride: Filipina chef Rhoda Magbitang won “Top Chef” Season 23, becoming the show’s first winner from Hawaiʻi. Workforce & Sustainability: Hawaiʻi Community College and UH Maui College launched an Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Specialist Certificate to help tackle cesspool conversion needs statewide. Lifestyle & Travel: Hilton Hawaiian Village finished renovations to its Rainbow Tower, adding locally inspired design and artwork for summer stays.

Local Education Access: Hawaiʻi Community College’s Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa launches “First Year Here at Kō,” letting North Hawaiʻi students start with face-to-face morning classes, advising, tutoring, and small classes close to home. Community Safety: Maui County urges keiki-focused mandated reporters to take free online training during summer, when abuse/neglect reports often drop. Food & Local Business: The Ulupono Fund backs Hawaiʻi food makers with grants to use Leeward CC’s high pressure processing system, helping products reach retail shelves. Culture & Arts: Kauaʻi’s north shore gets a 500-foot mural unveiling June 27, built by local artists and community artists. Civic & Media: OHA is revisiting a potential purchase of KITV and KIKU, aiming for Hawaiians to have a stake in mainstream media. Housing Pressure: A new KIDS COUNT Data Book flags Hawaiʻi’s housing affordability as a major drag on child well-being. Public Health/Wellbeing: A national survey finds maternal health care failures hit women of color hardest. Global Connections: Filipinos in Hawaiʻi check in after a major Philippines earthquake and tsunami warning. Top Chef Spotlight: Rhoda Magbitang, Mauna Lani’s executive chef, wins Top Chef Season 23.

Housing & Keiki Well-Being: Hawaiʻi’s 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks the state 25th overall, but says economic well-being is near the bottom, with housing affordability the biggest drag—nearly four in 10 children live in households struggling with housing costs. Local Governance & Safety: A Waipahu letter urges affordable housing over a Costco plan that includes Oʻahu’s largest gas station next to a Skyline stop, warning about pedestrian safety around high-volume traffic. Environment & Leadership: Gov. Josh Green announced DLNR chair/director Dawn Chang will retire July 1, with Ryan Kanaka‘ole stepping in and David Day named first deputy. Roads & Enforcement: Hawaii Island officials declare a traffic emergency zone on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway after multiple deadly crashes, adding enforcement on speeding, impaired and distracted driving, and seat belts. Culture & Community: “Cemetery Pupu Theatre” returns to Oʻahu Cemetery for its 15th anniversary, with performances honoring local caregivers and community history. Tourism & Hospitality: Hilton’s first Curio Collection hotel in Hawaiʻi, Hale Hokuala Kauai, opens reservations for stays starting Oct. 1, 2026. Sports & Lifestyle: A keiki bowling event in Kona pairs youth with Hawaiʻi Police Activities League mentors, aiming to build trust through fun and teamwork.

DLNR Leadership Transition: Gov. Josh Green announced Dawn Chang will retire as chairperson and director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources on July 1, with Ryan Kanakaʻole stepping in and David Day named first deputy—an important shift for Hawaiʻi’s land, water, and cultural stewardship. Lahaina Recovery & Cultural Restoration: Maui County secured $2 million to restore Mokuʻula and Loko o Mokuhinia, once seen as the spiritual and political center of the Hawaiian Kingdom, tying recovery to Native Hawaiian knowledge. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea hit a new record for eruptive episodes in its current cycle, offering fresh clues for geologists studying how the volcano behaves. Community & Culture on Stage: Kumu Kahua Theatre’s “Memory Beads” brings family stories, Alzheimer’s awareness, and immigration history to the spotlight. Education & Local Leadership: Hawaiʻi Community College chancellor Susan Kazama announced her retirement after 40 years with UH, marking the end of an era for the statewide campus network. Ocean Lifestyle: The annual POP Fishing, Marine and Seafood Expo returns to Pier 38 with family activities, demos, and local ocean culture. Food Innovation: The 4th annual Hawaiʻi Made Conference focuses on turning local food ideas into market-ready products. Legal/Immigration Impact: A federal judge struck down Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a win for employers relying on skilled foreign workers. Arts & Craft: “Handwork 2026” spotlights handmade American artforms with a year-long initiative and new PBS programming.

Immigration & Work Visas: A federal judge in Massachusetts struck down Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee, calling it an unlawful tax and setting up an appeal—big news for Hawaii’s tech, healthcare, and education hiring pipelines. Local Education: UH is expanding the Hoapili Teacher Pathways program to all 10 campuses, aiming to “grow our own” teachers with tuition-free, online routes for working adults. Teacher Pipeline: The U.S. Dept. of Education named Hawaii as a semifinalist for the Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge, pushing statewide talent marketplaces that link learners to jobs. World Oceans Day (Hawaii): Sea Life Park and Kauaʻi volunteers joined 808 Cleanups for beach cleanups, removing over 100 pounds of trash and spotlighting marine conservation. Lahaina Recovery: Atlantis Submarines Maui is restarting full tours and returning to Lahaina Harbor after wildfire losses, with normal operations expected later this year. Community Safety: A Zumbaathon for Azalia Park continues Safe Ride Hawaiʻi’s mission—rides for impaired drivers to prevent tragedies. Culture & Lifestyle: Gallery 14’s Coastal Currents summer show runs June 4–Sept. 4, featuring sea-inspired art and coastal wildlife themes.

Leadership Change: Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama announced her retirement, stepping down July 31 after about 40 years with the UH system. Community & Pride: The Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association kicks off NFALA-ganza! (June 19–21) with a focus on LGBTQIA+ law students, scholarships, and safer community spaces. Local Parks & Access: DLNR clarified Makena State Park upgrade plans after online rumors—restrooms, showers, and more formal parking edges, with no changes to beach access or resident free parking. Culture & Business for Wāhine: “The Way She Should Go” brings a Wailea networking day for wahine entrepreneurs on June 27. Ocean Awareness: NatGeo’s David Attenborough documentary “Ocean” spotlights the scale of marine life and the pressures from climate change and industry, including footage from Hawaiʻi’s Midway Atoll. Regional Safety: A 7.8 quake hit near General Santos in the Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings for parts of the region (no threat to Hawaiʻi reported).

Hawaiʻi Marine Life Education: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response launched its Hawaiʻi Marine Stewards Program to train hospitality and tourism workers to help visitors safely share space with monk seals, sea turtles, and seabirds. Endangered Whales Update: A new study finds Hawaiʻi’s endangered insular false killer whales are losing major body weight, with climate-linked nutritional stress suspected. Local Government Power Struggle: The Honolulu Charter Commission is still debating whether the mayor should be able to hire the police chief, with a proposal headed back for more discussion. Food Safety Watch: Hilo’s growing bake-stand scene is drawing state Department of Health scrutiny, with many stands cited for food code violations. Native Hawaiian Education Funding: UH expanded its tuition-free Hoapili Teacher Pathways statewide, and Congress moved to extend $46M in federal support for the Native Hawaiian Education Program. Community & Culture: Rep. Jill Tokuda introduced a resolution marking 120 years since the first Filipino immigrants arrived in Hawaiʻi, honoring the Sakadas’ legacy. National Court Spotlight (Hawaiʻi ties): The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on major “culture wars” cases, including a Hawaii gun-carrying law and transgender athletes bans.

Marine Conservation & Tourism: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response launched its Hawaiʻi Marine Stewards Program to train hotel and tour staff to help visitors safely share space with monk seals, turtles, and seabirds. Climate & Wildlife Health: A new study warns Hawaiʻi’s endangered false killer whales are losing major body weight, linking nutritional stress to rising sea temperatures. Local Food & Community: DOH cleared Ohana Sub & Deli, Inc. to reopen after critical food safety violations were fixed. Education Access: UH expanded its tuition-free Hoapili Teacher Pathways statewide, aiming to boost the elementary teacher pipeline. Native Hawaiian & Community Events: Registration is open for Hoaʻāina Stewardship Day at Kahaluu Bay (June 13), plus Rep. Jill Tokuda introduced a resolution honoring 120 years since the first Filipino immigrants arrived in Hawaiʻi. Culture & Fundraising: Lotus of Love Cancer Care hosted “Hope in Motion,” a Hawaiian-themed dance fundraiser supporting cancer survivors and caregivers. Food Innovation: DBEDT will host the fourth Hawaiʻi Made Conference (June 23) focused on food product innovation. Sports & Culture: Aloha-themed lei “good energy” helped Hempfield win a PIAA boys volleyball state quarterfinal. Health Awareness: The inaugural Hoola 5K in Kalama Valley raised money for statewide primary care.

Food Safety & Community: Hawaiʻi DOH issued a green placard for Ohana Sub & Deli, Inc. in Wahiawā after a follow-up inspection confirmed repairs to a nonfunctional handwashing sink and restored hot water for proper cleaning and sanitizing. Native Hawaiian Education: After the Schatz–McMahon agreement, the U.S. Education Department has officially started the process to extend $46 million in federal funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program for another year, keeping early childhood sites funded. Workforce & Infrastructure: UH and Hawaiʻi Community College opened applications for a new Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Specialist Certificate on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, aimed at boosting cesspool conversion capacity. Culture & Calendar: Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade and Hōʻolauleʻa returns June 20 in Kahului with a statewide theme of “E Kū, E Ho‘ololi,” featuring the parade and a free Hōʻolauleʻa at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. Local Science & Pride: UH Mānoa researchers were named 2026 ARCS Scholars for STEM work spanning green energy algae research and coffee pest protection. Space Spotlight: Tianwen-2 is expected to begin an encounter with Kamoʻoalewa, the first Hawaiian-named asteroid discovered using a UH telescope on Haleakalā. Safety Alert: Hawaiʻi Island police renewed the search for 16-year-old Naiomi Michael, last seen in the Hawaiian Paradise Park and Kea‘au areas.

Native Hawaiian Education: The U.S. Education Department has officially started the process to extend the Native Hawaiian Education Program’s $46 million in federal funding for another year, keeping early childhood sites funded and supporting home visiting, workforce development, and Hawaiian language immersion. Food Safety: Hawaiʻi DOH cleared Ohana Sub & Deli, Inc. to reopen after a follow-up inspection confirmed critical violations—like a nonfunctional handwashing sink and insufficient hot water—were fixed. Water & Jobs: Applications opened for a new Maui and Hawaiʻi Island wastewater workforce certificate through Hawaiʻi Community College and UH Maui College, training specialists for cesspool conversion and sustainable wastewater installation. Ocean & Science: E/V Nautilus returns to the Mariana waters with new mapping missions, including local participants from Guam and CNMI. Culture & Community: Ward Village’s gift to Honolulu Community College will fund construction and trades tool kits for students. Politics & Identity: Hawaii Republicans rallied behind the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act amid a federal lawsuit challenging homestead lease eligibility. STEM Honors: UH Mānoa researchers won ARCS Scholars awards for algae biofuel and coffee pest research. Space: China’s Tianwen-2 is set to encounter Kamoʻoalewa, an asteroid first discovered from Haleakalā.

Endangered Wildlife: A new study finds Hawaiian false killer whales are losing body condition as their tiny population keeps shrinking, giving scientists a clearer way to track stress and recovery. Ocean & Community: Maui Ocean Center is hosting World Ocean Day on June 8 with live music, marine naturalist talks, conservation exhibits, and hands-on activities like coral feeding demos and a shark-tooth dig. Native Hawaiian Land Rights: A federal lawsuit challenges Hawaiian homestead leases that require at least 50% Hawaiian blood quantum, arguing the century-old system is unconstitutional as the state vows to fight back. Lahaina Recovery: Residents are invited to weigh in on a master plan for the Lahaina Royal Complex, including sacred sites like Mokuʻula and Loko o Mokuhinia, with a goal of a final plan in 2027. Faith & Arts: Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis was named the inaugural Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts, with a formal installation set for Sept. 24, 2026. Local Governance: Honolulu’s Ethics Commission selected attorney Sandy Ma as its next executive director, aiming to strengthen public trust and ethics enforcement. Culture & Place: A mural honoring the legend of Kua was unveiled at the Captain Cook Post Office, linking moʻolelo with environmental stewardship.

Honolulu & Oʻahu Access: Loko Waimaluhia at Hōʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is partially reopening this weekend, with a reinforced shoreline pathway and a return of the family fishing program starting July 1. Maui Healing & Heritage: The County of Maui is pushing a community survey for the Lahaina Royal Complex Master Plan, aiming to restore sacred sites and improve public access after the 2023 fires. Education Close to Home: Hawaiʻi CC’s Kō Education Center launches “First Year Here at Kō,” letting North Hawaiʻi students complete their first year locally with advising, tutoring, and small classes. Workforce for the Future: UH and Hawaiʻi CC/UH Maui College roll out an Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Specialist Certificate to train people for cesspool conversion and sustainable wastewater installation. Native Hawaiian Education Funding: Sen. Brian Schatz secured a $46M extension of the National Hawaiian Education Program, keeping early childhood and Hawaiian language immersion supports funded for another year. Culture & Community: Honouliuli National Historic Site on Oʻahu will offer its first public tours starting July 18, with limited free guided access to the WWII-era POW camp remnants. Local Food & Lifestyle: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue opens its 10th Texas location, bringing more island-style comfort food beyond Hawaiʻi. Legal & Civic Life: A Maui woman faces federal charges for allegedly voting in a U.S. election without legal status.

Hawaiʻi Homestead Fight: Gov. Josh Green vowed to fight a new federal lawsuit challenging the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ blood quantum lease requirement, calling it unconstitutional and promising the state will “fight…with everything we have.” Culture & Arts: Maui Arts & Cultural Center opens “Through the Lens,” a free June 2–July 25 photo exhibit featuring six Hawaiʻi-based artists exploring society, environment, and alternate realities. Parks & Community: Waiʻānapanapa State Park on Maui starts facility improvements—new comfort station and Honokalani Road resurfacing—beginning June 6, with parking closures and updated access guidance. Local Food & Lifestyle: Yick Lung – Hawaii’s Choice spotlights a multi-generation snack maker updating li hing products for younger, health-minded customers while keeping community giving in the mix. Weekend Picks: Big Island event roundups highlight National Donut Day at KTA, Puna Taiko’s summer fair, and “Songs of the Sea” in Waimea. Sports: UH Hilo named Elliott Cribby as the new Vulcans baseball head coach after a national search.