AGP Executive Report

Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: Kepa Revelle-Aikala of Pukalani won the 24th Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, with a heartfelt “Koali,” highlighting how ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi strength is showing up on stage. Local Arts Events: Kapolei City Lights is gearing up for its Nov. 28 block party and parade, with vendor and parade-participant applications now open. Music & Community: The Covert Code Podcast hit 250,000 YouTube subscribers, marking a big milestone for Honolulu-hosted conversations on tech, leadership, and the future. Sports (UH spotlight): Adrianna Arquette earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week after leading Hawaiʻi to a runner-up finish at the Lucky Aces Invitational. Food & Local Flavor: Bite the Eye in Pāhoa keeps growing as a community hub, built from shipping containers and powered by local fishing and weekend live entertainment. Arts-adjacent: A new documentary explores how Black martial artists broke into overseas kung fu movie stardom in the ’80s and ’90s.

Volleyball Spotlight: Hawaii’s Tali Hakas and Panna Ratkai saw a championship win slip away as the Rainbow Wahine fell to UCLA in five sets at the Lucky Aces Invitational, despite season-high production from Miliana Sylvester and a strong offensive push. Local Governance: Hawaii voters will decide Nov. 3 on a constitutional change to let counties use “RISE Bonds” to finance housing infrastructure, with repayment tied to new property tax revenue. Arts & Language: Kepa Revelle-Aikala won the Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, taking top honors for his “Kowali” performance and earning multiple awards tied to Hawaiian language and music. Culture & Community: Honolulu’s tree canopy recovery after recent storms could take decades, as hundreds of large, shade-providing trees were lost or removed and replacements won’t quickly match what’s gone. Court Watch: A civil trial is weighing whether a fired Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive was retaliated against for whistleblowing or terminated for misconduct, with new testimony highlighting close contact via texts during the investigation. Sailing: UH women’s and coed sailing teams opened under new coach Dave Siegal at the PCCSC Singlehanded Championships, with top-five finishes for Hawaii sailors.

Community Arts & Inclusion: Surfgimp Foundation volunteers joined the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships in Oceanside, supporting athletes with disabilities; the Hawaii-based group says it has awarded more than $460,000 since 2018 and is now gearing up for its Dec. 5 charity run and Jan. 16 Winter Beach Bash. Local Sports & Culture: The County of Maui is set for a soft opening blessing of the renovated Wailuku War Memorial Gymnasium after a $32.5 million, three-year overhaul. Youth Fundraiser: More than 20,000 rubber ducks floated down the Ala Wai Canal for the Great Hawaii Rubber Duckie Race, raising about $65,000–$70,000 for keiki with cerebral palsy. Interisland Transportation: Maui County unveiled plans for a publicly operated ferry service to Lāna‘i next year and Moloka‘i in 2029, aiming for cheaper fares and more reliable routes. Arts Spotlight: Astoria-based Native Hawaiian printmaker Miki’ala Souza and ceramic artist Randy McClelland were featured in the Seattle TV series “Art by Northwest.” Hawaiʻi Arts Digest Picks: A Kailua street mural project honored “Mama Jen” with a safety-focused design near Kaʻelepulu Elementary.

Volleyball Spotlight: The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine stormed back to beat Iowa State in five sets at the Lucky Aces Invitational, extending their winning streak to seven and showing real “heart” in the decisive fifth set. Community Art & Safety: Volunteers painted a Kailua street mural honoring beloved teacher “Mama Jen,” using bright, simple designs to encourage drivers to slow down near Kaʻelepulu Elementary. Local Sports Calendar: Today’s Hawaii sports slate includes college tennis at UH, ILH girls volleyball, and OIA East/West varsity volleyball matchups across Oʻahu. Family Fun for a Cause: More than 20,000 rubber duckies raced in the Ala Wai to support keiki with cerebral palsy, raising about $65,000–$70,000 for treatment costs. Travel & Consumer Watch: A report highlights how AI-generated vacation rental photos and bait-and-switch listings can turn trips into nightmares—urging travelers to verify beyond the listing. Air Travel Update: Canada–Hawaiʻi capacity is shrinking as WestJet cuts flights, reducing September seat availability and potentially affecting winter travel plans.

Local Arts & Culture: “Mele for Maui” brings a free Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra concert to the Royal Lahaina Resort lawn Saturday, with a big lineup of Hawaiian music artists and an artisan market starting at 4 p.m. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea remains at WATCH as USGS/HVO tracks shifting vent activity and irregular summit tilt; scientists say it’s too soon to know if high fountaining has truly ended. Community & Arts Events: Oktoberfest returns to SALT at Our Kakaʻako in Honolulu with free entry, German beer and brats, and a free stein for the first 96 customers who order a liter of Paulaner. Sports (Hawaiʻi ties): UH volleyball starts strong at the Lucky Aces Invitational, beating Texas A&M–Corpus Christi in straight sets, and continues Saturday vs. Iowa State. Arts in the Spotlight: Two local artists—printmaker Miki’ala Souza and ceramic artist Randy McClelland—are featured in the Seattle TV series “Art by Northwest.” Arts, Music & Film: Jack Johnson discusses how Ben Harper and John Butler helped shape his journey, tying surf culture to music history.

Mele for Maui Concert: The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and top Hawaiian artists will bring a free, 6:30 p.m. community concert to the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on Saturday, with pre-concert artisan vendors starting at 4 p.m. Pacific Fashion Week: Honolulu’s Kaimana Beach Hotel hosts the inaugural Pacific Fashion Week, featuring the “Indigenous Life” runway show Saturday night and designer Samson Lee Fiji Designs. Micronesian Art in Mānoa: “Ocean of Peace,” a Micronesian art exhibition that opened on Maui, lands in Honolulu this Sunday with a reception at UH Mānoa’s East-West Center Gallery. H-1 Cap Park Backlash: A federally funded plan to cap part of the H-1 and add a park is drawing neighborhood pushback from Kalihi-Palama residents. Drone as First Responder: Hawaiʻi’s Department of Law Enforcement launches dock-based drones to give first responders real-time aerial info before ground units arrive. Sports & Culture Calendar: Today’s local sports slate includes ILH/OIA events and Chaminade vs. Hawaii Pacific soccer; plus UH football helmet prep highlights the “Bows” all-black look.

Hawai‘i Arts & Culture: The Hawai‘i Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open returns Oct. 8–11 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, with 800 players, a $15,000 pro purse, a new Collegiate Invitational, and a kids division for ages 7–11. Local Community & Service: Hawai‘i residents are being warned about fraudulent mailers using the Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority name to push fake home warranty and mortgage protection scams. Aloha in the Air: ANA’s second Pokémon-themed jet—its Green 787-9—has launched service with an inaugural flight to Honolulu, continuing the airline’s Pokémon livery run. Arts Beyond Hawai‘i: The Tampa Museum of Art is set to open a major David Hockney survey (more than 140 works) this fall, timed after the artist’s June death. History & Remembrance: A WWII-era Pearl Harbor remains identification leads to the Sept. 26 interment of Pfc. Owen M. Norris in Maryland.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Watch: New state visitor numbers suggest fewer arrivals but higher per-person spending—yet insiders warn “high-value” travel may not fix the deeper strain on beaches and local life. Community Remembrance: The community mourns “Mayor of Love Lane,” a teen remembered for music, movies, and big-hearted curiosity. Local Music (Maui): The Hawaiian Music Series returns with a free Ron Kualaʻau concert Sept. 24 at Waiola Church in Lahaina, part of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s ongoing mele tradition. Arts & Culture (Hawaiʻi): Pakistani painter Salman Toor lands on TIME100 Art’s inaugural list, underscoring the global reach of contemporary art with ties to Honolulu exhibitions. Ocean & Environment: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer makes its first Fiji visit to map deep Pacific seafloor, with data planned for public release. Weekend What to Do (Oʻahu): Honolulu Harbor Nights, Kakaʻako Farmers Market, Village Night Market, and Men I Trust’s live show highlight a busy Sept. 18–20 lineup. Arts Calendar (Maui/ Honolulu): Classic rock band America plays Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater Nov. 7 and Blaisdell Nov. 6, with tickets on sale soon. Policy/Work (Hospitality): A legal fight over spa workers labeled independent contractors spotlights scheduling and on-site requirements that can trigger wage-and-hour risk.

Honolulu Fashion: A four-day Honolulu event is spotlighting Pacific designers, artists, and industry leaders at Kaimana Beach Hotel, with runway shows, talks, and shopping running through Sunday. Maui Education & Arts: The Hawaiʻi Association for College Admission Counseling hosts the free HACAC Maui College Fair at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center on Sept. 30, bringing 60+ colleges for one-on-one student planning. Music & Local Talent: Derek Thomas shares his path “from SBCC to the stage,” tracing how early music classes and campus life helped shape his long-running career. Community & Culture: “Help from Oʻahu for Kauaʻi County” highlights Hurricane Lowell cleanup and recovery, including resident damage assessments and islandwide power impacts. Broadcast & Media Leadership: NAB Leadership Foundation announces its 2027 Broadcast Leadership Training class, naming KITV-4 news director Brenden Nakamine among the cohort. Arts & History: A new Cannon Beach painting unveiled at an American Legion fundraiser honors the U.S.S. Shark and the town’s naming story. Sports & Pride: Hawaii-born singer Auliʻi Cravalho will perform the U.S. anthem for Bills vs. Lions at Highmark Stadium.

AI & Corporate Ethics: Marc Benioff used Dreamforce to argue the AI industry should be held liable for harms—invoking Hawaiʻi’s kuleana as a guide for responsibility. Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: The Hawaiian Mission Houses will host “Mele Tūtū: Songs of our Grandparents” on Oct. 10, spotlighting kūpuna-era music through mele, oli, and hula. Community & Performance: Aloha Festivals’ 80th anniversary continues with the free 72nd Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa on Sept. 19, with 100+ vendors and multiple stages of live entertainment. Local Sports & Pride: Hawaii Pacific University launches the state’s first collegiate surf team for Spring 2027, aiming to keep island surfers competing at home. Hurricane Lowell Aftermath (Kauaʻi): Port Allen’s coastal damage remains severe, with missing and sunk boats and wrecked harbor infrastructure complicating livelihoods and recovery. Arts/Entertainment Pop Culture: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight teases a Joker redesign in a Hawaiian shirt look tied to “Batman: The Killing Joke.” Film/Travel Spotlight: Peter Greenberg’s “Hidden Tahiti” premieres, featuring Polynesian navigation and the Paul Gauguin ship.

Cultural Food & Community: Chef Sam Choy brought kalo and niu to Molokai and UH Maui College’s food-focused doubleheader, mixing kalo poke and spotlighting how traditional ingredients support health and identity. Arts & Live Performance: Ocean Music Action and the Hawaii Theatre Center stage Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals (Sept. 18–19), pairing Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra musicians with dance, puppetry, and narration to celebrate endangered species. Local Arts Calendar: Pacific Fashion Week lands in Waikīkī (Sept. 18–19) with a talk-story luncheon and a fashion show featuring Fijian designer Samson Lee. Hawai‘i Education & Sport: Hawaii Pacific University launches the state’s first collegiate surf team, competing in the 2027 NSSA Championship after building an island-based season. Entertainment Spotlight: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight’s Mayhem Collection DLC adds a Joker Hawaiian-shirt outfit tied to The Killing Joke. Travel & Recovery: Kaua‘i continues reopening after Hurricane Lowell, with power restored to most users and hotels/restaurants resuming operations on staggered schedules.

Deaf History in Focus: UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library has opened a new Deaf History Museum, “I ʻike ʻia, I lohe ʻia,” spotlighting Hawaiʻi’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing community with artifacts, stories, and a grand opening featuring sign-language performances and a keynote from Yvette I. Ibarra-Keohuloa. Community Relief: Need help paying rent or utilities? The Hawaii Relief Program is still accepting applications for up to four months of housing and utility support, with income limits and eligibility tied to households with a minor child. Arts & Culture on Stage: “Making the Line” is premiering at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, taking viewers behind the scenes of Merrie Monarch hālau preparation and the pressure of earning a spot on the lineup. Local Governance Watch: An editorial says the Hawaii Community Development Authority dropped the ball on a transit-oriented development workshop meant to educate staff and officials. Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Port Allen’s harbor damage is leaving Kauaʻi livelihoods in limbo, with the historic breakwall battered and boats affected. Public Process Update: DLNR suspended the deadline for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory final environmental review to protect public participation during recovery.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Hawaiʻi’s attorney general is warning residents to watch for scams targeting storm victims and helpers, including fake charities, contractor fraud, and impersonation of relief agencies. Molokini Boating Safety: Two Maui boaters were injured after their vessel struck a submerged object near Molokini; both were taken to medical care. Lahaina Healing & Culture: Paʻūpili Lahaina 3rd Saturdays returns Sept. 19 with ʻawa tasting, lei making, weaving, lomilomi, and live entertainment at Lahaina United Methodist Church, partnering with OHA. Arts & Community Calendar: The Arts Council of Fayetteville’s 48th International Folk Festival runs Sept. 25–26, highlighting dance, crafts, and a Parade of Nations. Local Education & Arts: Seabury Hall is accepting applications for grades 5–12 for 2027–2028, with Winterim and strong arts programming. Royal Tradition Spotlight: A look at why Hawaiʻi still honors its royal past each September, including the Royal Court and aliʻi symbolism. Entertainment Watch: CBS released the trailer for “NCIS: New York,” starring LL COOL J and Scott Caan, premiering Oct. 6.

Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra: The HSO launches its 2026-2027 season “Resonance” with a two-night premiere weekend at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, featuring pianist Makoto Ozone and Matt Catingub’s return, plus a world premiere by Hawaiian composer Leilehua Lanzilotti. Hawaiian Arts & Culture: Winners were announced for the 20th Annual Kū Mai Ka Hula Competition at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, spotlighting top hālau from Maui, Hawaiʻi, Kaua‘i and beyond. Deaf Community Spotlight: UH Mānoa opened a new Deaf History Museum at Hamilton Library, “I ʻike ʻia, I lohe ʻia,” bringing Hawaiʻi Deaf history and artifacts into the public eye. Local Film & Storytelling: The indie black comedy “Filipiñana” takes aim at tourism and classism, using Hawaiʻi-set relationships as its sharp lens. Community Events: The Maui County Fair returns Oct. 1-4 after a six-year hiatus, with contests from student art to e-sports, plus cultural showcases and live entertainment. Arts in Motion (Sports/Entertainment): Kim Kardashian reminisced about her first TV show, “Beyond the Break,” filmed in Hawaiʻi in 2006. Hurricane Lowell Recovery (Local Impact): KIUC says power could return to parts of Kauai’s North Shore soon, but remote areas may wait 1–2 more weeks.

Hawaiʻi Arts & Culture: Hawaiian Council opened vendor applications for ʻUlu O Lele in Lahaina, with the portal live now and submissions accepted through Sept. 28—priority goes to businesses and cultural practitioners tied to the Aug. 8, 2023 Maui wildfires. Arts & Community Events: The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra is set to perform a free “Mele For Maui” concert on Sept. 19 in Kāʻanapali. Local Arts Programming: The Surfing Heritage and Culture Center is planning its Grand Opening Weekend starting Sept. 18 (with a public open-house and a fundraising gala). Arts, Sports & Mental Health: UH Athletics director of mental health care Kelly Hee discusses the pressures facing student-athletes in a new interview. Arts & Entertainment Industry: Paramount is developing a Hawaii Five-0 movie with Destin Daniel Cretton attached. Arts-Adjacent Film/Media: A documentary review highlights “The Cigarette Surfboard” as an engaging environment-focused story.

Mele for Maui: The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra returns to Maui for a free, 15th-anniversary season stop—MELE FOR MAUI on Sept. 19 (6:30–9 p.m.) at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows in Kāʻanapali, with the concert framed as honor, reflection, and celebration. Local Film Spotlight: “Aloha Meets Mabuhay” brings two Filipino American stories to Kailua Cinemas this Saturday, featuring Angelica Yulo-Batin Quinn’s short “Sira” and Rick Quan’s “Along Comes Larry,” honoring Larry Ramos. Community Arts & Resilience: Sea Life Park’s transformation is underway under Native Hawaiian stewardship after the Hawaiian Council took over, with $1 million in early repairs and upgrades including marine animal systems and playground improvements. Arts Calendar/Community Notes: Mid-Pacific’s new on-campus track and field facility opens in Mānoa, a major athletics milestone after 117 years without a dedicated track. Hawai‘i Arts Talent: Hawaiʻi Climate Action Artist Residency selects a second cohort of five artists statewide. Sports on the Arts Digest radar: UFC 331’s Hawaii start times are listed for Sept. 19, and local sports listings plus TV/radio schedules round out today’s entertainment picks.