AGP Executive Report

Lahaina Recovery: Nearly three years after the wildfires, Lahaina officials announced the first Front Street commercial comeback: the ʻUlu O Lele Marketplace, a temporary hub with 17 retail spaces, eight food truck stalls, and a live-entertainment stage, funded through Hawaiian Council’s Kako’o Maui Fund and expected to open in October (with a related update saying September). Honolulu Arts & Nightlife: Blue Note Hawaii unveiled its July 2026 lineup at the OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Beach Resort, spanning jazz, Hawaiian music, hip-hop, and comedy—featuring UMI, Hunter Hayes, Dave Koz & Friends, Slum Village, Josh Tatofi, and more. Local Governance: Honolulu Police Department’s new chief, David Lazar, was sworn in with promises focused on transparency, recruitment/retention, and clearer communication with the public. Community Input: DLNR’s Holomua Marine Initiative will hold an additional “Hana Hou” talk story session in Waimea on July 12 to gather underrepresented community voices for future marine management. Education & Arts Tech: A veteran principal at Washington Middle School was placed on paid leave after an audit tied to a $2.5M professional recording studio used by Disney for “Lilo & Stitch.” Weekend Picks (Oʻahu): Oʻahu’s July 3–5 events include Kakaʻako Farmers Market, Honolulu Harbor Nights, and Shrek the Musical at Kaimuki High School.

Honolulu Independence Day logistics: Honolulu lists what’s open and closed for Friday, July 3, including TheBus on a Sunday schedule, Skyline running 4 a.m.–10:30 p.m., parks and the Honolulu Zoo open, and closures for the Blaisdell Center box office, People’s Open Markets, satellite city halls, and most library branches. Native Hawaiian arts & community: The Hawaiian Council’s 2026 Native Hawaiian Convention and Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition run July 20–25 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, with scholarships and a Nā Mea Hawaiʻi marketplace. Big Island culture picks: This week’s top local events include a Bob Dylan tribute by The Ing Crowd (July 3), free Baumkuchenfarm farm tours (July 3 & 7), and Astronomy on Tap on exoplanets (July 8). Entertainment spotlight: Fantasia International Film Festival’s 30th edition lands July 16–Aug. 2 in Montreal with its final programming wave, including Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Her Private Hell” and “Freaks Part II.” Local buzz: Shake Shack is coming to Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center, replacing a former Sugar Factory spot.

Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: The Lunar Codex and the International Lunar Observatory Association plan to launch new cultural archives to the Moon—poetry and song lyrics in late 2026, with essays, more poetry, and even chess games slated for 2028—turning global creativity into literal space heritage. Local Community & Sports: UH Mānoa officially becomes a full Mountain West member starting July 1, expanding to 15 sports in the conference while keeping affiliate spots for beach volleyball, men’s volleyball, and women’s water polo. Arts in the Islands: A Team USA soccer watch party in Kailua drew a cross-island crowd to celebrate the sport together, showing how Hawaii’s community spaces are becoming hubs for international entertainment. Hawaiian Heritage & Land Use: On Hawaiʻi Island, the Burial Council voted down a burial treatment plan for iwi kūpuna found at Hawaiian Paradise Park, with debate centering on buffer zones and infrastructure impacts. Film & Music: Disney’s live-action Moana breakout star Catherine Lagaʻaia is making her feature debut, while a separate Moana-related spotlight highlights how the story’s cultural roots are landing with new audiences. Arts & Learning: UH Mānoa also celebrated 77 student-athletes earning Academic All-Big West honors, blending performance and scholarship.

AI & Media Literacy: U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz introduced the AI Labeling Act of 2026, pushing for visible, machine-readable disclosures on AI-made image, video, and audio, plus standards work with major platforms—an effort backed by major creative groups. Arts in the Islands: West Maui Student Art Show wrapped at Lahainaluna High School, spotlighting young artists from multiple schools, with wearable art runway moments, live music, and support from local arts organizations. Community Giving: Hawai‘i Community Foundation marked 25 years of Waimea impact through the Richard Smart Fund, awarding $500,000 in 2026 grants to 29 programs. Sports on the Air: UH Athletics says 200+ live events will stream via the new MW+ platform, with Hawaii News Now as the official broadcast partner for at least 110 home games yearly. Golf & Local Pride: The Sony Open in Hawaii will shift into a PGA Tour Champions event in 2027 at Waialae Country Club. Travel Perk Watch: Clear+ airport security memberships jump to $219 starting July 1, though some credit-card credits may offset the increase.

Ocean Mapping & Exploration: Ocean Exploration Trust’s Nautilus left Honolulu for Guam with a newly installed Kongsberg EM 304 MKII multibeam sonar, boosting deep-seafloor mapping to 11,000 meters and widening coverage for more detailed habitat charts. Community Arts & Reading: Hawaii State Federal Credit Union donated $20,000 to the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi for its 77th Annual Book Sale at Ward Centre, continuing long-running support for statewide library access. Local Culture & Pride: Honolulu’s 35th Annual Honolulu AIDS Walk at Kapiʻolani Park closed out Pride Month, bringing together community partners for a major public event. Arts, Film & Performance: Disney’s live-action Moana heads to theaters July 10 with Catherine Lagaʻaia after beating 32,000 hopefuls for the role, while Jay Laga’aia’s family legacy continues to shape Pacific storytelling. Public Safety Outdoors: Keawaʻula at Kaʻena Point State Park reopens July 1 after FEMA-inspected storm repairs, with some trail closures still in place. Arts & Entertainment Calendar: A Visual Arts Roundup for July highlights exhibitions and installations, including courtroom trial art and immersive shows.

Stratford Film Festival: A new monthly screening spotlights the making of Jaws with the documentary The Shark is Still Working, then follows with the blockbuster itself on the big screen. Local Travel & Tourism: Hawaii visitor spending rose to $1.77B in May 2026 (+5.3%), but stays shortened to 7.60 days (-10.3%), according to DBEDT. Arts & Culture (Screen/Stage): The Bear’s penultimate season episode “Caramel” features Chicago meteorologist Tom Skilling in a cameo filmed during a Hawaii trip. Music/Entertainment: Daveigh Chase, known for The Ring and voicing Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, died at 35, with the medical examiner citing AIDS. Community & Pride: Honolulu’s 35th Annual AIDS Walk at Kapiolani Park closed out Pride Month. Food & Fun: A new coffee-and-community spot, plus a wave of openings and expansions, keeps the “what’s new to try” energy going. Retail Watch: Nordstrom Rack’s Waikiki store is set to permanently close, ending a decade-long run.

Local Music & Community: Wailuku’s Jammin’ in July kicks off July 3 with Market Street and Wailuku Garage festivities, featuring Maui bands Jimmy & The Twins and The Haiku Hillbillys plus DJ sets and local vendors. Ukulele Culture: Two longtime Honolulu-area musicians, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui, will be inducted into the Ukulele Hall of Fame on July 12 at Kapiʻolani Park during the International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii (free). Hawaii July 4 Traditions: Hawaii News Now looks at how July 4 holds two meanings in Hawaiʻi—Independence Day for the U.S. and a remembrance of the Hawaiian Kingdom after the 1894 overthrow—plus what local hotels and events are planning for the holiday weekend. Arts & Film Buzz: Disney’s live-action “Moana” brings Dwayne Johnson back as Maui, with Johnson tying the role to his Samoan family roots. Sports & Youth Exchange: “Bond with Kuliang” launches in Fuzhou with youth baseball teams and a sister-city link that includes Honolulu.

Lahaina Housing Rebuild: Hunt Capital Partners marked the reopening of Kaiāulu o Kupuohi, an 89-unit affordable complex in Lahaina rebuilt after the 2023 Maui wildfires, now LEED Gold-certified and fully occupied with many returning residents. Arts & Community Spotlight: Ohuhu celebrated its 10th anniversary with a colorful showcase of new launches and art supplies aimed at keeping creativity accessible. Music & Pop Culture: Clive Davis was honored at a star-studded funeral in Manhattan, with tributes from Bruce Springsteen, Dionne Warwick, and others. Entertainment & Media: DJ RAPHI hit 1 billion YouTube views and is taking his dance-pop global—fans even traveled from Hawaii to catch shows. Surf Sports: Reigning WSL champion Yago Dora won the Saquarema (Rio) event, moving up the standings after a strong final. Legal/Policy (Hawaii angle): The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s “vampire” gun rule limiting where permit holders can carry on certain private property open to the public.

Hawaiʻi Sports & Community: Tributes poured in for longtime coach and broadcaster Larry Price, remembered for his Rainbows leadership and the “Katoosh” call that brought high school football into Hawaiʻi homes. Local Pride: Hawaiʻi Island LGBTQ+ Pride kept its focus on community and youth outreach, with organizers also aiming to boost Native Hawaiian involvement and West Hawaiʻi participation. Arts & Entertainment (Hawaiʻi): Journey added a second stop in Hawaiʻi—Sept. 6 at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena—after tickets for Sept. 8 sold fast, with promoter Rick Bartalini calling the run a historic final chapter for the band in the islands. Music: Pete Yorn announced his 11th studio album, “All The Beauty,” with a track that leans into the push-pull between hardship and clarity. Food Culture: A pineapple-in-kimchi stew trend sparked online debate, showing how Hawaiian-style fusion instincts keep spreading across cuisines. Marine Life: British Columbia’s Salish Sea is seeing a whale-spotting surge, with experts pointing to both increased sightings and social media’s role in drawing crowds.

Local Pride & Community: Hilo marked the 13th annual Hawaiʻi Island LGBTQ+ Pride with a community-first, youth-and-Native-Hawaiian focused celebration, plus a photo gallery capturing the “simple pleasures” vibe. Music & Pop Culture: Ukulele star Jake Shimabukuro is set to release “Pop Experience” on July 10, building a set around pop hits like “Golden” from a Netflix animated film. Live Entertainment in Hawaiʻi: Journey added a second stop at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena (Sept. 6) after tickets for Sept. 8 sold fast, with a Hawaii resident presale via Ticketmaster. Arts & Media in the Islands: UH sports coverage is getting a wider reach as Hawaii News Now takes over local TV rights for the next four years, with K5 as the primary home for telecasts. Sports Spotlight: Pac-Five’s Ahu and Nakagawa earned top Honolulu Star-Advertiser Baseball All-State honors. Big Island 250th Birthday Festivities: Hilo and Kona are gearing up for July 4 events, including fireworks and runs, with pyrotechnics teams promising an extra celebratory “bang.”

Ocean Innovation: Hawaiʻi researchers are testing whether discarded fishing nets and other plastic waste can be turned into asphalt for roads, aiming to cut both marine debris and the cost of hauling plastics off-island. Community Pride & Health: The 35th Annual Honolulu AIDS Walk closed out Pride Month at Kapiolani Park, drawing 1,000+ participants for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and stigma-busting under the theme “Silence Is Not an Option.” Volcano Watch: Kīlauea’s summit eruption hit Episode 50, with lava fountains peaking around 1,000 feet and ashfall guidance pointing toward Kaʻū communities. Local Media Ownership: OHA trustees advanced further evaluation and due diligence on a potential KITV/KIKU acquisition, weighing how to expand Native Hawaiian leadership in media. Outdoor Safety: A search for a missing Korean father and son off Oʻahu after a Hanauma Bay hike ended after authorities believed they may have been swept out to sea. Arts & Culture: A new documentary about Jack Johnson’s surfing-to-music journey is drawing attention, including a heartfelt on-stage wedding song dedication. Entertainment Streaming: NBC’s sci-fi drama “Heroes” is set to return to Netflix on July 1.

Local Arts & Culture: The annual Ki ho‘alu Guitar Festival returns to the MACC, keeping Hawaii’s music community in full swing. Sports & Community: Ava Cepeda (Kahuku) won the women’s Manoa Cup at Oahu Country Club, beating Punahou’s Samantha Monroe in a rain-filled final. Arts, Music & Media: A new look at how the guitar became “part of the whānau” in Māori culture explores how an imported instrument took root in gatherings and everyday life. Performing Arts: The Shriners Children’s Hawaii Honolulu outreach team will head to Guam July 8–11 for pediatric orthopedic and sports-injury consultations (appointments filled). Travel Tech: Airlines are accelerating Starlink inflight Wi‑Fi, and some are phasing out movie downloads as faster onboard internet becomes the norm. Arts & Entertainment: A roundup of MLB ballpark giveaways highlights the growing role of fun, collectibles, and family-friendly perks in live sports.

Shriners Children’s Hawaii Outreach: The Honolulu medical outreach clinic calendar for youth orthopedic and burn/sports injury care filled up again, with Guam bookings closed for July 8–11 and families pushed to a waiting list for future outreach and telehealth. Aloha Stadium Recycling: Developers say Aloha Stadium demolition is about a month ahead, with most steel headed for recycling and concrete planned for reuse in the new stadium’s bowl. Surf & Olympics Pathway: Wai Kai in West Oahu hosts a Team USA Olympic surfing qualifier July 11, with open men’s and open women’s winners earning an all-expenses trip to the Continental Surf Cup. Local Sports Spotlight: UH Manoa athletes are still waiting on key features for official meets at the Cooke Field facility, while Waianae mourns legendary Seariders coach Larry Ginoza. Music in Hawaii: Journey announces final Hawaii dates Sept. 6 and 8 at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, with a Hawaii-exclusive presale starting June 26. Fitness Challenge: Oahu endurance creator Michael Chin is training for a Koko Head “5X” record attempt next month.

Makawao Parade Live-Stream: Akakū Maui Community Media will televise and live-stream the 58th Makawao Parade on Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m., with commentary by Patty Lee and Joe Abella, plus Channel 55, the Maui Stream app, and Akakū’s YouTube. The parade marks 110 years of Kaonoulu Ranch and the U.S. 250th anniversary. OHA Media Move: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is advancing possible purchase plans for KITV and KIKU, with the full board expected to approve funding for due diligence after earlier debate returns to the board. Electric Aviation in Hawaiʻi: BETA Technologies and Surf Air Mobility launched an electric aircraft demonstration program in Hawaiʻi, with Hawaiian Airlines supporting feasibility and community engagement as ALIA CTOL flights run for about six to eight weeks. WWE at Hawaii Fit Expo: WWE will recruit at the 2026 Hawaii Fit Expo (June 27-28), offering attendees a look at career pathways through its NIL and ID programs. Local Crime Case: A Honokaa man accused of using Snapchat to arrange a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old will undergo a mental fitness evaluation. Arts & Community: A Riverdale gallery exhibit, “People and Places,” runs through Sept. 2, featuring six artists and a summer-themed thread of water/peace and escape.

Supreme Court & Guns: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s “vampire rule,” ruling the state can’t require permission to carry handguns on publicly accessible private property—an immediate shift for gun owners and local enforcement. Local Arts & Community: Journey announced its final Hawaii stop—Sept. 8 at Blaisdell—with a Hawaii presale starting June 26; the promoter also warned of speculative secondary-market listings before official sales. Ocean Sports for Women: Maui’s Kelea Foundation hosted Aunties Beach Day, pairing windsurfing, paddleboarding, and winging with confidence-building and community connection. Music Calendar: The free 35th annual Kī hō‘alu Guitar Festival returns to the MACC on Sunday, featuring Nā Hōkū Hanohano artists Kevin Brown and Ikaika Brown. Media & Native Hawaiian Ownership: OHA advanced due diligence on a possible purchase of KITV and KIKU, arguing local ownership could strengthen Native Hawaiian storytelling. Wildlife Update: NOAA said a beloved Nanakuli monk seal died from toxoplasmosis. Weekend Picks: Oahu event listings highlight Honolulu Harbor Nights, Kaka‘ako Farmers Market, and K-pop Pizzazz at Pearlridge.

Second Amendment Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s “vampire rule,” ruling the state can’t require explicit permission for concealed-carry permit holders to bring guns onto private property open to the public. Local Impact: Gun control advocates blasted the decision as prioritizing guns over safety, while the ruling reverses a prior Ninth Circuit upholding of Hawaii’s restrictions. Maui/Island Crime: Hawaii Island police arrested a Honokaʻa man accused of using Snapchat to entice a 14-year-old for sex, charging him with Electronic Enticement of a Child in the First Degree. Community Events (Big Island): Hilo Pride Parade and Festival, Festa Brasileira, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau’s Cultural Festival and Fee-Free Day, plus an Aloha Theatre fundraiser screening “The Addiction of Hope” are slated for June 26–27. Arts & Culture: The Hilo Orchid Show Gala Preview Party returns July 23 with wine, beer, food, flowers, and silent-auction support for peace and agriculture.