AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Lala Aftermath: Hawaiian Electric says 117,300 customers were still without power statewide as crews work to repair major damage to the grid, with the biggest outages on Hawaiʻi Island and Windward/Leeward Oʻahu. Local Arts & Culture: PBS Hawaiʻi’s “Nā Mele” spotlights ‘ukulele innovator Taimane, pushing the instrument beyond “just a toy” through boundary-breaking original music. Music & Film: Moana star Auli’i Cravalho joins documentary series “The Story of Everything” as narrator, blending science with poetry, art, music, and dance. Community Preservation: The Elizabeth Street Garden in New York celebrates permanent preservation after a long legal fight over plans for housing and retail. Entertainment News: WWE adds a second Hawaii house show—back-to-back nights Oct. 16 and 17 at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. Pop Culture Loss: Tributes continue after Hayden Panettiere, known for “Heroes,” “Nashville,” and “Scream,” died at 36.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Lala skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without landfall but still left widespread damage and outages, with HECO reporting tens of thousands without power and crews prioritizing restoration after assessments. Local Closures: Hawaiʻi State public schools and many Maui County offices closed Monday as storm impacts continued, with shelters and reopening plans shifting by neighborhood. Big Island Arts & Community: Maui Huliau Foundation’s Huliau Food & Film Festival is set for Aug. 29 in Kula, pairing farm-to-table dining with hula, live music, and student-produced films. Classical Music: World-renowned pianist Lang Lang returns to perform Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” with the Buffalo Philharmonic, with Honolulu connections noted. Entertainment Spotlight: Big Brother 28 adds three surprise houseguests to its Time Trip season lineup, while WWE RAW airs Monday with a Hawaii start time of 2 p.m. HST.

Hurricane Lala: The storm skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without landfall, but still brought damaging winds and torrential rain, with officials warning of flash flooding and mudslides; Honolulu saw multiple road closures from downed trees and flooding as conditions shifted. Mauna Kea Weather Oddity: Lala’s cold, high-elevation effects even produced snow on Mauna Kea’s summit. Disney in Hawaiʻi: Aulani’s 15th anniversary at D23 brought a brand-new Mickey and Minnie outfit reveal for guests. Shark Selfie Backlash: Influencers are being warned to stop chasing “perfect” shark selfies after a spate of bites and injuries. MMA Spotlight: Soma Fight Club in Bali continues to draw elite fighters like Nepal’s Rabindra Dhant and Yuki Angdembe. Legal/Local Business: Oʻahu’s hemp crackdown fight heads to federal court as sellers challenge Hawaiʻi’s enforcement of hemp rules. Arts & Entertainment: Netflix’s Harlan Coben thriller “I Will Find You” hits a major weekly top-10 milestone.

Hurricane Lala & Community Resilience: Hurricane Lala skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without landfall but still brought hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, flooding risk, and widespread outages—Hawaiian Electric reported tens of thousands without power as crews assess damage and warn some outages could last overnight. Arts & Recovery in Lahaina: Hot Kūpuna Nights returns to the Lahaina Civic Center with music, food, and recovery resources for kūpuna and ʻohana, while Maui Public Art Corps will unveil animated short films at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center on Aug. 27 to preserve Lahaina memories through storytelling. Film/TV Buzz: HBO’s “The White Lotus” is set to move to France for season four, with Hotel Lutetia in Paris among the featured locations. Local Culture & Media: Cirque literary journal highlights its North Pacific Rim mission, including Hawaii ties, as it continues publishing twice yearly. Fashion Pop Culture: Cat Deeley’s butter-yellow jeans are fueling the denim-color trend.

Hurricane Lala Disrupts Hawaii’s Arts & Entertainment: As Lala strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane, the Big Island is already seeing heavy rain, flooding risk, and widespread power outages, with Hawaiian Electric reporting thousands without electricity and officials closing roads and key sites. Storm-Driven Cancellations: Hawaii public school campuses shut down, wiping out Saturday high school football and other school-linked events, while Haleakalā and other major attractions are closing and flights are being canceled or rerouted. Local Culture in the Spotlight: Even with the weather looming, Hawaii’s creative community is still making headlines—ghost nets washing ashore on Maui are being transformed into art, turning marine debris into public-facing creativity. Pop Culture Buzz from D23: Disney’s D23 revealed major entertainment updates, including the “Lilo & Stitch 2” live-action sequel (with Angel/Experiment 624) and Marvel’s “X-Men” cast for a 2028 release. Arts & Collectibles: Grand Seiko unveiled a Hawaii-exclusive limited-edition SBGA527 “Shirarahama Beach” watch, tying Waikīkī’s sister-beach story to a new Spring Drive design.

Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, with a hurricane warning issued and forecasts warning of damaging winds, heavy rain, dangerous surf, and wildfire risk. State Response: Hawaiʻi schools and offices are closing statewide, and DLNR has suspended camping and closed parks, lands, and trails across the islands as the storm approaches. Power & Logistics: Hawaiian Electric says it’s readying more than 500 workers and may use Public Safety Power Shutoffs in high-risk areas, while Young Brothers is adjusting port operations and cargo acceptance due to storm conditions. Land & Water Governance: BLNR took action on two East Maui water issues, moving forward with steps tied to contested cases over stream water diversions. Arts & Pop Culture: Pixar unveiled its next original supernatural adventure, “Ghost Street” (spring 2028), inspired by Asian myths of markets where the living and dead meet. Local Media: After 30+ years in Hawaiʻi television, Jai Cunningham is getting a “hui hou.” Community Spotlight: UH Mānoa student journalists swept top honors at the 2025 SPJ Hawaiʻi Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Hurricane Preparedness: Hawaii officials activated emergency response hubs as Tropical Storm Lala nears, with the state Joint Information Center and Honolulu’s Emergency Operations Center ramping up coordination and urging residents to finish preparations. Local Safety & Community: The storm threat also has schools and sports in the crosshairs, with cancellations and heightened planning underway across the islands. Surf Spotlight: Hawaii’s Seth Moniz captured the Tahiti Pro tube-riding title, adding another major win to the local surfing spotlight. Arts & Culture (Sports Hall of Fame): Four Hawaii sports legends were inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, including skateboarding pioneer Darren Ho and world champion surfer Kelia Moniz. Arts & Community (Food & Craft): A Kauai coastal retreat designed by Walker Warner is back in the spotlight as bidding opens, while Hawaii’s coffee heritage gets a profile look at Kula grower Casey Shim. Arts & Entertainment (Disney): Disney’s latest push leans into side-by-side animated classics and live-action remakes, keeping the studio’s nostalgia machine front and center.

Hurricane Prep: Hawai‘i County will open public shelters at 6 p.m. Aug. 14 across multiple Big Island sites as Tropical Storm Lala nears, with a hurricane watch upgraded to a hurricane warning and guidance to bring supplies, food, water, and meds. Local Arts & Community: WEMADE PLAY launches “Wadadabear in Hawaii” in Anipang 2, a Hawaii-themed mobile puzzle event running through Sept. 1 with new boards, modes, and daily in-game prizes. Surfing Spotlight: Seth Moniz wins the Tahiti Pro with a late surge of deep tube-riding, while Erin Brooks fights back to take the women’s title. Sports on Campus: UH women’s soccer opens strong against Texas Tech, falling 1-0 to a top-25 opponent, while UH volleyball cancels its Hawaii Island trip due to Lala. Culture & Film: Lori Petty says Point Break still holds up after 35 years, praising the film’s tangible, on-location look at beaches in Los Angeles and Hawaii. Ocean Conservation: A Nat Geo Photo Ark post highlights Hawaii’s protected Hawaiian spiny lobster, pointing to no-catch seasons and egg-bearing female bans. Arts Calendar: Weekend listings include Honolulu night markets and Festival Street Eats, plus more island events.

Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: The ʻŌiwi Book Club is turning a group chat into a growing community built around Hawaiian voices, spotlighting Native Hawaiian authors and stories that readers say carry history and identity. Local Arts & Business: DBEDT’s Hawaiʻi Made Pavilion returns to the 2026 Made in Hawaiʻi Festival with nearly 30 local businesses, aiming to help new and early-stage companies reach customers at one of the state’s biggest retail events. Arts, Travel & Weather: Big Island event plans are getting reshuffled as a possible tropical cyclone could affect the islands starting late Aug. 14, with some festivals canceled and others postponed—so organizers and attendees are urging people to check before heading out. Entertainment & Sports: Colorado’s Brennan Marion debuts his fast-paced “Go-Go” offense, described as “basketball on grass,” while a viral Little League moment shows a coach delivering a faith message during a mound visit. Arts Digest Watch: The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s nearly $240 million renovation adds a Hawaiian-culture-forward spa with lomilomi and lāʻau lapaʻau-inspired treatments.

Hawaiʻi Storm Prep: Honolulu and Hawaiian Electric are urging Oʻahu residents to get ready now for Tropical Cyclone One-C, with warnings for stronger winds, rough surf (15+ feet possible), heavy rain, flooding, and even wildfire risk from low humidity. Maui Community Music & Resources: Hot Kūpuna Nights returns Aug. 19 at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall, featuring live Hawaiian music, a kanikapila (bring your ʻukulele), food, and recovery/senior-service info. Native Stewardship: The Hawaiian Council has completed its acquisition of Sea Life Park Hawaii, keeping daily operations running while shifting long-term focus toward Native Hawaiian culture, marine science, and education. Local Pop Culture Retail: Ala Moana Center is set to welcome POP MART—its first Hawaii store—plus other new tenants like Kaikoa Gallery and Kids City Adventure. Music/Legal Correction: Prosecutors say a “typographical error” led to confusion about Maoli being linked to a meth supplier; his lawyer says he’s not. Arts & Film (International): Marc Turtletaub’s Borges and Me screens at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, with a Hawaii connection noted by the director. Sports Entertainment: TNA IMPACT airs tonight with the TNA World Championship on the line, and Honolulu is listed among broadcast start times.

UH Athletics Fundraising: UH Mānoa Athletics will announce a major new giving initiative today, with a legendary coach joining leadership to spotlight long-term support for student-athletes. Local Arts & Community Events: Honolulu’s free East Oʻahu career fair lands Aug. 13 at Kaimukī High School, pairing residents with employers, training, and resume help. Music & Pop Culture: Peermusic renewed its global publishing deal with BTS songwriter Ryan Lawrie, who also co-wrote Red Velvet’s Hawaii single. Entertainment Spotlight: Jack Johnson’s surf documentary “SURFILMUSIC” screens Aug. 16 at the M.V. Film Center, tracing his path from North Shore surfer to filmmaker and musician. Arts Calendar: “August Arts Calendar 2026” is out, plus a “This Week in the Arts” roundup for what to catch around the islands. Sports & Local Pride: Rainbow Wahine soccer opens on its new lower campus pitch, and UH football’s Kaonohi-Kaihenui is recognized for service.

Local Governance: Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization is shutting down this Friday after City Council cut funding and staff, leaving leaders warning the move will hurt local businesses and job support. Environment & Community: DLNR clarified that a circulated “edited” agenda about East Maui water licenses isn’t official, stressing the public auction and related approvals are what’s actually before BLNR. Arts & Culture: OHA will produce televised candidate forums for the 2026 Board of Trustees election, partnering with ʻŌlelo Community Media to spotlight issues like military-leased lands and accountability. Lahaina Healing: Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays returns Aug. 15 with live entertainment plus cultural activities like awa tasting, lei making, and coconut frond weaving. Sports & Youth: Pearl City Little League won the Senior League World Series, beating Curaçao 5-0, after a tough start. Arts in the Islands: A lava-field home on Hawaiʻi Island by Olson Kundig and Leverone Design highlights minimalist, family-centered architecture built to “frame” the landscape.

Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: Wooden Wave, a husband-and-wife mural duo, is bringing sustainability and playful storytelling to new public art across the islands, with details that reward close looks. Live Music & Festivals: Upcountry Maui’s Kēōkea Hoʻolauleʻa returns Aug. 29 with Hawaiian music, crafts, cultural workshops, keiki activities, and a pastele-stew plate lunch plus a full lineup of performers. Local Arts Calendar: Hawaiʻi’s August Arts Calendar 2026 rounds up what to see and do across the islands. Performing Arts: UH’s new diving coach hire also signals fresh energy in campus athletics, while Azamara is adding more “AzAmazing Evenings” for 2027, including an “Evening of Hawaiian Spirit” at the historic Hawaii Theatre—good news for travelers who want culture with their sunsets. Community Spotlight: Night in the Tropics, Kelly B. Todd’s annual fundraiser, brought Caribbean music and island style to the Hatbox Event Center.

Local Arts & Culture: Lahaina’s Buddhist community keeps O-Bon alive with the Lahaina O-Bon Festival on Aug. 14 at Lahaina Jodo Mission, featuring music, dance, food and a bon dance bringing together congregations after the 2023 fires. Community & Civic Life: The Navy Closure Task Force–Red Hill will hold a Sept. 17 open house and town hall on decommissioning the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and drinking water safety, with experts from multiple agencies and the UH Red Hill Registry on hand. Arts Calendar: Hawaii’s August Arts Calendar 2026 is out, plus a “This Week in the Arts” roundup for what to see and do. Music Spotlight: Israel Starr (now Iharaira Starr) marks a new chapter with a renamed identity and fresh reggae releases, including “Roots Session” with Irie Love. Performance & Media: LL Cool J is set to return for NCIS: New York, with Hawaii’s connection noted as he’s previously appeared on NCIS: Hawai’i. Sports & Community: Team Oʻahu won the 2026 Junior Lifeguard State Championships at Ala Moana Beach Park.

Federal Gambling Policy Fight: Nevada AG Aaron Ford led 44 attorneys general in a letter to the CFTC arguing it lacks power to regulate sports-related prediction market contracts, warning the proposal would override states’ long-running control of gambling. Honolulu on Foot: A new travel guide makes the case for exploring Oʻahu’s capital without a rental car, highlighting walkable routes from Waikīkī to Kakaʻako and Downtown. Community & Culture in Sports: The Fort McMurray Giants set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing Aloha shirts (1,280). Youth Ocean Safety: Team Oʻahu won the 2026 Junior Lifeguard State Championships at Ala Moana Beach Park, finishing first with 318 points. Arts & Island Pride: The Aloha Festival in the Bay Area marked its 31st anniversary, bringing island food, music, and dance to a growing crowd. Local Arts Spotlight: Honolulu Museum of Art director David Odo discusses centering Hawaiʻi in the institution’s mission.

Aloha Shirt Exhibit: The Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Schaefer International Gallery opens “Keoni of Hawaiʻi: Art of the Aloha Shirt” Tuesday (free, through Oct. 3), tracing aloha shirt history through designer John “Keoni” Meigs’ textile designs, sketches, swatches, and vintage ads. Local Comedy: The 12th Hawaii Comedy Festival returns Aug. 14-15 at HoMA’s Doris Duke Theatre with sketches, improv, live music, and a family-friendly show. Music & Culture Live: City Pop Waves’ live review spotlights Masayoshi Takanaka’s Crystal Palace Bowl set, showing how the Japanese guitar legend is finding a new audience through the city-pop revival. Sports Spotlight: Legendary NBA coach Don Nelson, a five-time Celtics champion and innovator of the “point forward,” died at 86. Food Buzz: Hormel’s “Spam Dog” is getting attention in Hawaii, with a new wave of reactions to the stadium-style snack. Tech & Kids: Meta faces another U.S. trial over alleged harms to children, with jury selection set to begin Wednesday in Oakland.