AGP Executive Report

Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers captured the first-ever footage of a goblin shark in the Tonga Trench, including a 2024 sighting at nearly 6,600 feet, expanding what scientists know about the elusive species. Local Arts & Culture: Hawaiian Airlines unveiled its first of three Moana-themed aircraft liveries, with characters from reef to wingtip and a “Voyage beyond the reef” message tied to Polynesian voyaging traditions. Sports + Community: Seattle’s World Cup watch experience is taking shape on a repurposed fish-container barge in Elliott Bay, turning the waterfront into a floating soccer celebration. Food & Entertainment: Carnival Cruise Line rolled out “The Next Course,” adding new fleetwide dining plus fresh restaurants and bars for Carnival Festivale (2027) and Carnival Tropicale (2028), including Hawaiian-influenced options. Hawaii Policy Watch: A Homeland Security funding draft includes support for Hawaii emergency preparedness upgrades, alongside other program cuts. Science + Curiosity: A “happy face” spider species was identified in India, challenging earlier assumptions that the smiley pattern was only found in Hawaii.

Local Sports & Community: Honolulu Bulls youth soccer players are fired up for the World Cup, using stars like Messi and Ronaldo as inspiration while learning the game’s fundamentals. Arts & Film: Wailuku Film Festival opens June 17 with Oahu-focused documentaries including Jack Johnson’s “SURFILMUSIC” and Mikey Inouye’s “Mālama Mākua,” plus Matty Schweitzer’s “Lāhainā Rising.” Hawaiʻi Culture: King Kamehameha Day celebrations continue across Oʻahu with lei draping, the Floral Parade, and Hoolaulea, plus islandwide events. Music & Nightlife: Moani Waikiki in Waikīkī is closing after nearly five years, with final performances June 12–13. Education & Youth: Construction Industry of Maui awards $60,000 in scholarships to three Maui students, including wildfire-suppression research using native plants. UH Athletics: Five donors pledge $5 million to UH Mānoa athletics NIL opportunities over five years. Outdoors: Tent camping returns to Nāmakanipaio at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park after storm-related cleanup. Sports Media: ESPN’s Monica McNutt apologizes for a Taylor Swift comment after a hot-mic moment. Global Arts/Entertainment: Steven Spielberg says the James Bond franchise “can’t afford” him now after being rejected multiple times earlier. Science: NASA’s Chandra spots a possible supernova remnant near the Galactic Center, using Hawaii-linked optical data.

Hawai‘i Arts & Culture: Kamehameha Day: Hawai‘i marks June 11 with Kamehameha Wave unification celebrations, including a family-friendly Kamehameha Day 2026 event in Hilo (8–11 a.m.) and another gathering in North Kohala, honoring King Kamehameha I with community wellness and giving back. Music & Community: Pan-Pacific Festival: Waikīkī’s Pan-Pacific Festival is set to draw thousands this weekend, with free performances by Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners Ei Nei and Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau, hula and taiko, workshops, pickleball demos, and a Sunday parade down Kalakaua Avenue. Sports & Local Arts/Entertainment: UH NIL boost: A $5 million NIL commitment aims to strengthen UH Mānoa athletics and keep local talent in the islands, with major local partners pledging over five years. Arts/Media: Fitness TV legacy: “Gilad’s Bodies in Motion” fitness icon Gilad Janklowicz, who lived in Hawai‘i and filmed hundreds of episodes, has died at 71. Food & Hospitality Tech: Private dining AI: Supper at Home launched SupperTimeAI in Kailua-Kona to help guests arrive on time for private-home dinners and reduce no-show waste.

Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Hawaiʻi, ʻAuana, is expanding beyond the stage with a new ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi single, “Kele ka Moana,” streaming now ahead of the full soundtrack. Local Sports Business: The University of Hawaiʻi is set to receive a $5 million NIL commitment over five years to help recruit and retain student-athletes, with local businesses backing the effort. Community & Events: Oʻahu’s weekend lineup (June 12–14) leans family-friendly with night markets, farmers markets, and Honolulu Harbor Nights. Film & Pop Culture: Tickets are now on sale for Disney’s live-action “Moana,” arriving in theaters July 10. Arts in the Spotlight: HBO’s “100 Foot Wave” returns for Season 3, following big-wave surfers and the enduring pull of Nazaré as careers evolve. Safety Reminder: A visitor’s hike to Manoa Falls ended with a fractured ankle and wrist, prompting calls to take trail conditions seriously. Public Service: Hawaii Island is getting no-cost medical, dental, and optometry care through a Tropic Care mission running June 19–28.

Local Arts & Culture: Honolulu’s Queen Theater fight is heating up: the City Council approved a plan to amend planning documents so the long-closed 1930s movie house in Kaimuki could become a public government building, with up to $4 million eyed for land acquisition—though the mayor’s office says it still won’t pursue taking the property. Community Events: Kauai’s King Kamehameha Celebration Commission is set for The Kauai King’s Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, with craft and food vendors, cultural demonstrations, and traffic/bus updates posted by the county. Film & Surf Culture: The Lighthouse International Film Festival is bringing a fresh wave of surf films, including the world premiere of “Permanent Dream,” plus other documentary and action-focused entries across festival venues. Sports & Local Talent: UH athletics is making NIL headlines with a major $5M push for student-athletes, while UH hitting coach Dave Nakama is reportedly moving on after helping shape recent Rainbow baseball success. Legal/Policy Watch: A federal lawsuit challenges Hawaii’s new campaign spending activity law, arguing it’s an unconstitutional curb on political speech. Environment & Public Safety: A judge set a timeline for a Hawaii tourist’s federal case tied to an attack on an endangered monk seal.

Honolulu Arts & Science: A new Honolulu exhibit, Hawaiian Landscapes: Earth Within Us, opens June 16 at American Savings Bank and blends paintings and mixed media to connect volcanic geology, river systems, and even cellular patterns—plus 20% of sales support youth conservation via Kupu. Kaua‘i Public Art: Common Ground Kauai and Capitol Modern will unveil a 500-foot mural, An Imparting Landscape, on June 27, built from 11 Kauai-based artists’ 50-foot sections and featuring an artist-led tour, film screenings, and a DJ-and-food finale. OHA Media Watch: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is revisiting a potential purchase of KITV and KIKU, with trustees weighing due-diligence spending after last month’s close vote. Aloha Stadium Update: Crews completed the final tripping of the old Aloha Stadium deck as demolition ramps up for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, targeted for a spring 2029 opening. Community Safety (Keiki): Maui County is urging adults who work with children to take free statewide mandated-reporter training during summer when school reporting drops.

Honolulu Homeless Response: The city blessed and unveiled the new Honolulu Department of Community Services headquarters, including a “Kōkua Command Center” meant to coordinate Oʻahu’s homelessness response by pulling in data and connecting people to housing and support. Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: A Honolulu tattoo scene spotlighted growing demand for Polynesian designs, with studios emphasizing custom consultations and cultural storytelling. Local Sports & Media: The University of Hawaiʻi says a new broadcast deal with Hawaii News Now will expand access to UH Mānoa athletics via free over-the-air telecasts. Road Safety (Big Island): A local editorial calls for action on deadly Daniel K. Inouye Highway crashes, as police increase enforcement and the state moves to declare a traffic emergency zone. Health Care: HMSA delayed a reimbursement change affecting primary care doctors after Gov. Josh Green stepped in, giving practices more time to adjust. Community Events: Hawaiʻi Police Activities League held its first annual keiki bowling event in Kona, pairing youth with officers through mentoring and fun.

Local Arts & Culture: UH Mānoa grad Rachel Radona is debuting a new Honolulu airport mural in Lobby Four, using plumeria and lei-giving themes to welcome travelers with island aloha. Music & Community Events: Honolulu Zoo’s Wildest Show summer concert series returns for its 40th anniversary, running Wednesdays June 10–July 22 with local headliners like Taimane Gardner, Kapena, and Kalani Peʻa. Volleyball & Sports Spotlight: Former Rainbow Wahine player Joshua Walker has been named Hawaii’s new women’s volleyball head coach, bringing “Sky Walker” energy back home. Public Service with a Cultural Touch: The City’s Kōkua Command Center was blessed at 222 N. School St., aiming to coordinate homelessness response across agencies and community partners. Arts-Adjacent Storytelling: Wahi Pana: Storied Places shares free June events, including a June 12 performance that brings back a historic mele to Lēʻahi after 131 years. Food & Local Flavor: Hawaiian Bros Island Grill plans an eight-location expansion in the Louisville area, continuing the chain’s island-style plate lunch push.

Local Arts & Culture: The Island Restaurant Group is set to relaunch the 1928 Kona Inn Restaurant with a revamped menu and revitalized dining space on June 18, keeping the nostalgia while adding new Polynesian small-plates plans for the nearby Kona Canoe Club. Hawaiian Language & Education: A new look at the long shadow of Act 57 highlights how early English-only schooling helped erode ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, even as today’s immersion schools still struggle to find enough teachers. Arts, Media & Community: Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation is awarding $5,000 grants to Honolulu-based Lanakila Pacific as part of its “30 Days of Giving,” spotlighting local nonprofits through employee-nominated funding. Sports & Entertainment: Max Holloway, a Hawaii native, is moving up to welterweight for his July 11 UFC bout with Conor McGregor, calling “weight…just a number.” Aviation Safety: The NTSB preliminary report on last month’s Molokai crash says the plane’s engine was running rough before the incident, with investigators citing mechanical issues.

Shark Attack in Oʻahu: A Hawaii father and veteran surfer, Koa Smith, was bitten by a shark while surfing off the South Shore, suffering severe injuries to both legs before making it back to shore and getting help; he remains hospitalized at Queen’s Medical Center. Philippines Earthquake & Tsunami Alerts: A powerful 7.8 quake struck Mindanao, killing people and injuring hundreds, with tsunami warnings and advisories rippling across the Pacific including Japan and Okinawa—no threat reported for Hawaiʻi. Local Park Clarity: DLNR moved to clear up “misconceptions” about Makena State Park upgrades, saying the proposal is mainly restrooms/showers and parking paving, with no change to access or resident free parking. Hawaiʻi Arts & Ocean Film: Nat Geo’s David Attenborough documentary “Ocean” spotlights marine life tied to Hawaiʻi’s Midway Atoll and Papahānaumokuākea. Sports Spotlight: The University of Hawaiʻi named Joshua Walker as the new Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach, setting up a fresh era for the program.

Maui Politics: Polls show a tight, high-stakes race for Maui County mayor, with Vice Chair Yuki Sugimura leading incumbent Richard Bissen in a crowded 10-candidate primary ahead of the Aug. 8 vote. U.S. Supreme Court Watch: The court is set to rule on major “culture wars” cases, including a Hawaii gun-carrying law and transgender athletes’ eligibility rules—decisions that could ripple into local policy and sports. Local Arts & Community: A new Aloha Tequila Arts Festival hits Waikiki June 20, blending Mexican agave culture, Hawaii-made food, local art, and live entertainment while raising funds for the Aloha Cancer Project. Tourism Impact: Kona-low storm fallout continues to hit Oahu businesses, with visitor numbers down and spending patterns shifting. Arts Spotlight: Jazz trombonist Kalia Vandever releases the album “Mana” and performs at Solar Myth, bringing a meditative, Hawaii-connected vibe to the live scene.

Tourism Numbers: Hawaii welcomed nearly 829,000 visitors in April, a slight dip from last year, but spending rose to about $1.7 billion as average daily spend jumped more than 14%—with U.S. East and Japan up while Canada lagged. Arts & Culture Calendar: The 2026 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade and Hōʻolauleʻa lands June 20 in Kahului, with a free Hōʻolauleʻa at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center featuring hula, local artisans, and cultural demonstrations. Community Fundraiser: Lotus of Love Cancer Care hosted “Hope in Motion,” a Hawaiian-themed dance fundraiser at the Wetlands Center supporting meal, home-care, and grocery help for cancer survivors. Local Arts Event: The first Aloha Tequila Arts Festival (June 20) brings agave culture, Hawaii-made food, local art, and live entertainment to International Market Place in Waikiki, with proceeds benefiting the Aloha Cancer Project. Film Review: “Backrooms” is praised as a gripping, surreal horror-mystery that expands a YouTube short-film concept into a feature-length experience.

Hawaiʻi Culture Calendar: The 2026 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade and Hōʻolauleʻa returns June 20 in Kahului, starting with a 9:45 a.m. parade down Kaʻahumanu Avenue and continuing with a free Hōʻolauleʻa at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center through 5 p.m., featuring hula, artisans, and cultural demonstrations. Music & Arts: Grammy-winning Earth, Wind & Fire bring their legacy to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on June 14, with the band also spotlighted in a new HBO documentary debuting Sunday. Local Food Scene: Maui AgFest’s Grand Taste crowned local chefs across ʻĀina, Kai, Vegetarian, and Dessert categories, with Hua Momona Farms’ Chef Zach Laidlaw taking both Best Vegetarian and Judge’s Choice Overall. Sports Spotlight: Former UH standout Nick Cenacle is making waves with the BC Lions after earning a spot on the active roster, a homecoming story for the Mānoa alum. Community & Safety: Hawaii County Council approved General Plan 2045 despite fierce opposition, while on the Big Island the state moved to declare a traffic emergency zone on Saddle Road after multiple deadly crashes.

Local Arts & Culture: Earth, Wind & Fire—subject of the new HBO documentary “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That’s the Weight of the World)”—plays the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on June 14. Community Events: Maui Ocean Center hosts World Ocean Day on June 8 with marine talks, conservation exhibits, and hands-on activities. Maui Food Scene: Grand Taste at Maui AgFest crowned local chefs across ʻĀina, Kai, Vegetarian and Dessert, with Hua Momona Farms’ Zach Laidlaw taking Best Vegetarian and Judge’s Choice Overall. Maui Sports & Youth: Aloha Volleyball Association’s 14-and-under boys won the Aloha Summer Classic title and earned a berth to USA Volleyball Nationals in Orlando. Maui Public Safety/Facilities: Ukumehame Firing Range is set to reopen Friday after storm damage repairs. Big Island Wildlife: State officials say nēnē deaths in Waikōloa are still under investigation, while counts found about 70 nēnē eating cat food left on lava rocks.

Arts & Culture Appointments: Rev. Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis has been named the inaugural Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts, with a formal installation set for Sept. 24, 2026. Local Arts & Community: Waikiki Aquarium kicks off World Ocean Month with a month of conservation events, including an Oahu student youth art show and a June 6 beach cleanup. Music & Film: Jack Johnson’s new documentary, SURFILMUSIC, ties his North Shore surf roots to his music career, with screenings in the UK this month. Hawaii Sports Media: The University of Hawaiʻi says its new broadcast deal with Hawaii News Now will expand free over-the-air access to home games starting July 1. Public Safety: After a fatal crash on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, HPD says it’s significantly increasing selective enforcement for speeding, impaired and distracted driving, and seat belts. Health Policy: Hawaii faces a $3 million cut to its Medicaid fraud control funding after federal officials cited a lack of indictments or convictions.

Arts & Culture Spotlight: The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra reshaped its season finale after opera soprano Renee Fleming had to drop out, adding violinist Simone Porter, a world premiere by composer-in-residence Michael-Thomas Foumai (“Aina Hanau,” with poet laureate Brandy Nalani McDougall), and Holst’s “The Planets.” Local Music: Katchafire announced a new single, “Colour Me Life,” featuring Hawaii’s Kolohe Kai, lifting from its “Revival 2.0 Guest Edition” album. Community & Outdoors: Honolulu reopened part of Loko Waimaluhia at Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden with a reinforced pathway starting June 6, restoring shoreline access after Kona Low storm damage. Sports Media: UH Mānoa Athletics selected Hawaii News Now as its official broadcast partner in a four-year deal starting July 1, shifting UH sports from subscription cable to free, statewide over-the-air TV. Public Safety (Arts-adjacent): Maui lawmakers moved to raise fines for drivers with excessively loud stereos, aiming to curb dangerous noise on the road.