AGP Executive Report

Hawaiian Music Heritage: The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame has chosen Honolulu for its permanent home, honoring the instrument’s deep roots in Hawaiʻi. Live Music: Tony Award-winning performer Lea Salonga returns to Honolulu for two Hawaii Symphony Orchestra concerts at Blaisdell Concert Hall on Oct. 17 and 18, with songs from Broadway, Disney and more. Maui Cinema: The Wailuku Film Festival returns for its second year, expanding its vision as a Pacific cinema hub. Local Arts: Honolulu’s Fishcake is growing from a gallery into a creative hub for artists and small businesses, while Windward Community College photography students are featured in a new PUKA exhibition.

Lanai Spotlight: Jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer is reportedly set to marry billionaire Geoff Ogunlesi this weekend at the Four Seasons Lanai, with celebrity guests expected. Student Arts: Hawaiʻi students in grades 7–12 can enter the Regional Scholastic Art Awards through Dec. 12; winning work will be shown at Capitol Modern in February. Island Cinema: The Wailuku Film Festival returns for its second year, aiming to grow its role as a cinema hub in Maui. Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis also returns to theaters, including Hawaii, on Oct. 24, with a live Q&A. Creative Community: Honolulu’s Fishcake is expanding from gallery to creative hub for artists and small businesses, while a Hilo concert will feature an acclaimed vocalist and harpist. Rainbow Wahine: Hawaiʻi volleyball swept San Jose State to earn its fifth straight Mountain West win and remain unbeaten in conference play.

Student Art: Hawaiʻi students in grades 7–12 can enter the Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards through Dec. 12. Winners’ work will be shown at Capitol Modern on Feb. 20; one national medalist will receive a $4,000 scholarship and a matching grant for their school. Film: Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis returns to theaters, including Hawaiʻi, on Oct. 24, followed by a livestreamed Q&A with the director. Maui Windsurfing: The Aloha Classic returns to Hookipa Oct. 19–30, adding five youth divisions and bringing international riders to Maui. Local Arts: The Wailuku Film Festival returns for its second year, while Windward Community College photography students are featured in the PUKA exhibition. Honolulu’s Fishcake is also growing from a gallery into a creative hub for artists and small businesses. Music: A Hilo concert will feature an acclaimed vocalist and harpist; this week’s Hawaiʻi arts lineup also includes Afro-Latin jazz, Hawaiian slack-key music and local-author events.

Live Music: Hilo’s Hawaii Concert Society hosts Grammy-winning countertenor Iestyn Davies and acclaimed harpist Oliver Wass on Oct. 13 at UH Hilo’s Performing Arts Center, with a program spanning four centuries of music. Film & Creative Spaces: The Wailuku Film Festival returns for a second year, while Honolulu’s Fishcake continues its evolution from gallery into a creative hub for artists and small businesses. Windward Community College photography students are also featured in the PUKA exhibition. Island Events: Halloween celebrations are underway across the islands, and UH Mānoa’s Homecoming Week returns Oct. 12–17 with a Friday concert and makers’ market.

Halloween Across the Islands: October brings haunted houses, costume contests and family events statewide, including the Haunted Plantation on Oʻahu and a Stranger Things-themed night at Waikīkī Aquarium. Maui Cinema: Wailuku Film Festival returns in June 2027 after drawing 5,300 attendees and screening more than 100 films in its debut year. Submissions are now open, with a bigger focus on Hawaiʻi, Pacific and Indigenous storytelling. Honolulu’s Creative Hub: Fishcake has grown from a gallery into a gathering place for artists and small businesses, with clay, watercolor, sewing and other classes led by 70 teaching artists. Coming Up: UH Mānoa Homecoming Week runs Oct. 12–17, with a Friday concert and makers’ market.

Maui Arts: Winners from the 99th Maui County Fair include student art, fiber arts and student media, celebrating local creativity across generations. Coming Up: UH Mānoa’s Homecoming Week runs Oct. 12–17, with a Friday concert and makers’ market. Entries are also open for the Hawaiʻi Scholastic Art Awards. Music & Culture: Maui’s first community youth choir welcomes singers without auditions, while Josh Tatofi’s new album, Paniolo Country, brings a fresh release from the Hawaiʻi artist. The Royal Hawaiian Band’s enduring legacy also gets a spotlight.

Hawaiʻi Stories on Screen: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ documentary Held in Trust explores the future of public lands as long-term military leases expire; its premiere was scheduled for Oct. 8. Campus Arts: UH Mānoa Homecoming Week runs Oct. 12–17, with a Friday concert and Makers’ Market. Young Creators: Entries are open for the Hawaiʻi Scholastic Art Awards, while Jeta is using LEGO to get Hawaiʻi keiki excited about the arts. Music for Community: Maui’s first community youth choir welcomes singers without auditions, and Josh Tatofi has released his new album, Paniolo Country. Living Traditions: The Royal Hawaiian Band’s musical legacy and a Pan-Pacific barbershop convention spotlight Hawaiʻi’s enduring music culture.

Hawaiian Music: The Royal Hawaiian Band, founded by King Kamehameha III in 1836, keeps the islands’ musical heritage alive with performances that connect audiences to Hawaiʻi’s history. UH Mānoa Homecoming: Rebel Souljahz, Natural Vibrations and Christian from Hoʻonua will perform at a free Oct. 16 concert, alongside an alumni makers’ market. Arts for All Ages: Entries are open for the Hawaiʻi Scholastic Art Awards, while Maui’s new community youth choir welcomes singers without auditions. New Sounds: Josh Tatofi’s latest album, Paniolo Country, brings a fresh release from the Hawaiʻi singer.

Maui Recovery & Tech: A Maui-based company filed a provisional patent for the AI-driven Hawaiian Emergency Link Portal (HELP), designed to connect residents and responders with verified local contacts and recovery resources after disasters, with food-as-medicine guidance. Lahaina Community Update: The next Lahaina Community Meeting (Oct. 7) will focus on the King Kamehameha III Elementary School rebuild, Lahaina Royal Complex restoration, and recovery resources including the Housing Navigator Program. Local Arts & Community: The Honolulu Zoo’s Boos & Brews returns Oct. 24 with costume contests, trunk-or-treat, live music, and local brewery tastings plus conservation programming. Golf in Hawaii: The LPGA’s Lotte Championship is moving to Kapalua’s Plantation Course for March 2027, reviving a Kapalua venue that previously hosted the PGA Tour’s Sentry. Arts Policy: Sen. Ben Ray Luján and Mazie Hirono introduced the Arts Education for All Act to expand arts access for early learners through K-12 and justice-involved youth and adults. Literary Spotlight: The 2026 National Book Awards finalists were announced, with fiction and nonfiction tackling identity, criminal justice, and the Middle East.

Hōlei Sea Arch Collapse: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park says the 90-foot, 550-year-old Hōlei Sea Arch fell into the Pacific after storms and years of cliff instability, with NPS urging visitors to avoid closed, unstable areas near the former viewing spot. Arts Education: Bishop Museum’s LEGO exhibition, “Aloha Bricks ’26,” is back with a school-invitation push, partnering with the Hawaiʻi Lego Users Group to build an original, hands-on show for keiki. Local Sports Spotlight: ‘Iolani’s volleyball surge continues as regular season winds down, with the Raiders hosting in the ILH playoffs after a Mid-Pacific sweep. Basketball Legacy: Legendary coach Dennis Agena is marking 60 years of the Kalakaua Basketball Clinic, still running sessions in Kalihi and Pauoa. Music & Community: North Hawaii Hospice held its annual Floating Lantern Ceremony at Fairmont Orchid, mixing remembrance with hula, chanting, Hawaiian music, and taiko. Pro Golf Returns to Maui: The LPGA’s 2027 LOTTE Championship is set for Kapalua’s Plantation Course (March 18–21, 2027).

LPGA Returns to Maui: The Plantation Course at Kapalua will host the 2027 LOTTE Championship (March 18–21), bringing 120-player LPGA action back to Maui after the PGA Tour’s Maui exit. Community Healing: North Hawaii Hospice held its annual Floating Lantern Ceremony at Fairmont Orchid, with hula, chanting, Hawaiian music, and taiko as families honored loved ones. Music Spotlight: Jack Johnson brought his easygoing, friend-to-friend vibe to the Greek Theatre, with G. Love and Zach Gill joining in for a warm, ocean-like set. Travel & Leisure: Carnival Radiance is back in service after a 15-day dry dock in Victoria, adding a refreshed Effy boutique and a new “From Sea to Shining Sea” bow crest, plus select Hawaii sailings. Local Hospitality: Hilton opened its first Curio Collection resort in Hawaii on Kauai. Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,000+ cases of Gatorade in 37 states, including Hawaii, over undeclared Yellow No. 5/6 dyes.

Honolulu Pride Month: Waikīkī kicked off Pride Month with a sunrise chant and prayer at the Healer Stones of Kapaemahu, followed by community food, games and music; events run Oct. 14–18 with the Pride Parade on Oct. 17 along Kalākaua Avenue. Native Hawaiian arts recognition: CHamoru dancer and choreographer Francisco “Frank” Rabon (Guam) received the 2026 National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA, honoring lifetime contributions to folk and traditional arts. Local culture on stage: Josh Tatofi released his new album PANIOLO COUNTRY, celebrating Hawaii’s paniolo heritage, with performances set for Blue Note Hawaii on Oct. 16–17. Community & civic arts: The Polynesian Cultural Center broke ground on a Hawaiʻi Village expansion in Laie, the Hawaiʻi Kauhale Project, spanning 4.5+ acres and aiming to reshape how visitors experience Native Hawaiian culture by 2028. Sports spotlight: Jeeno Thitikul won the Lotte Championship in Honolulu, bouncing back after a late double bogey to secure her fourth LPGA Tour win of the season.

Music & Culture: GRAMMY-nominated Hawaiian singer-songwriter Josh Tatofi drops his new album Paniolo Country, blending Country Soul with paniolo storytelling, and will celebrate with performances at Blue Note Hawaii on Oct. 16-17. Community Arts: Imua Family Services launches 100 Voices, Maui’s first community-based youth choir for ages 11-18—no auditions, no experience needed—with rehearsals starting March 2027. Performing Arts (Hula): Aloha ‘Aina o Hawai‘i and Halau Hula Napuaokalei‘ilima present the 21st annual Ho‘ike hula exhibition on Oct. 17 in Camp Verde, featuring kahiko and ‘auana, plus raffles and auctions benefiting Hawaiian cultural education. Local Arts & Tourism: The Polynesian Cultural Center breaks ground on its Hawaiʻi Village expansion, the Hawaiʻi Kauhale Project, a 4.5+ acre addition expected to reshape how visitors experience Native Hawaiian culture by 2028. Sports as Culture: The Rainbow Wahine keep rolling with another sweep of Grand Canyon, while San Jose State edges Hawaii 20-16 in the Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy game.

Tourism & Culture: The Polynesian Cultural Center broke ground on the Hawaiʻi Kauhale Project, expanding Hawaiʻi Village with a North End concept meant to deepen understanding of traditional Hawaiian life, agriculture, and mālama. Arts & Community Music: Imua Family Services is launching “100 Voices,” Maui’s first community-based youth choir for ages 11–18, with no auditions and a debut at Imua’s 80th anniversary gala. Local Sports (Volleyball): Hawaii Pacific earned its first PacWest win, while the Rainbow Wahine swept Grand Canyon again, holding the visitors to a season-low hitting percentage. Local Sports (Football): San Jose State edged Hawaii 20–16 in a Dick Tomey Legacy Trophy game decided late by former UH QB Luke Weaver. Sports (Water Polo): Ken Smith, the long-time Punahou girls water polo coach, retired after 54 years. Major Opening (Hospitality): Hilton Grand Vacations opened Ka Haku, a Hilton Club tower in Waikiki, adding 205 timeshare units after pandemic-era delays. Golf: Jeeno Thitikul took a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Lotte Championship in Honolulu. Environment & Heritage: The iconic Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed into the Pacific, prompting NPS warnings about unstable cliffs.

Hōlei Sea Arch Update: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park says the 550-year-old, 90-foot Holei Sea Arch on the Big Island collapsed into the Pacific, with the NPS warning visitors to stay away from the unstable cliffs after the popular landmark had shown long-running instability. Local Arts & Community: Gresham’s 3rd Annual Indigenous Arts Festival drew big crowds with Native vendors, food, music, dance and history, and organizers rescheduled an Indigenous Peoples Day concert to Nov. 14 at the Center for the Arts Little Theatre. Performance & Magic: Prague-born “Miracle Man” Tomáš Kubínek brings a one-man show of strong-man stunts, mass hypnosis and illusion to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Oct. 11, with tickets starting at $35. Culture Etiquette: A new guide highlights nine luau rules mainland visitors commonly break in the first 10 minutes, aiming to keep the experience respectful and welcoming. Sports & Spotlight: New Mexico routed UTEP 61-7 behind Toa Fa’avae’s three touchdown passes, and Hawaii’s next game vs. San Jose State is framed as a key test for the Rainbow Warriors.

Natural Wonders: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park confirmed the Hōlei Sea Arch—about 90 feet tall and roughly 550 years old—collapsed into the Pacific sometime between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27, likely during Tropical Storm Nolo; the park is urging visitors to stay back from unstable cliff edges. Resort & Culture: Hilton opened Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi, Curio Collection by Hilton, its first Curio property in Hawaiʻi, with destination-driven dining and a cultural immersion program, E Ala Ka Pilina, created with local practitioners and organizations. Community Arts: The AG ‘Ukulele Academy team brought aloha to Canada after performing at the Fort Langley International ‘Ukulele Festival and returning to Kauaʻi for monthly club meetups. Sports Spotlight: The Rainbow Wahine volleyball team swept Grand Canyon in Phoenix, staying perfect in Mountain West play, while Hawaii hosts San Jose State in a homecoming-style matchup tied to shared coaching roots. Public Safety: Honolulu Police warned of a scam impersonating law enforcement and government agencies, using spoofed caller ID and payment demands via Apple Pay, Zelle, and Cash App.