AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Lowell Recovery & Visitor Guidance: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is urging travelers to reschedule Kauaʻi trips or consider other islands as power outages and storm damage continue, while a hotel industry leader says visitors shouldn’t be deterred if lodging is open. Local Government/Infrastructure: The Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor recreational parking lot reopened on Oʻahu after cleanup and repairs from Lowell. Arts & Culture (Music): Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra marks its 15th anniversary with “Mele For Maui,” a free Sept. 19 concert featuring Maui-inspired music and guest artists, plus a market with Maui-made crafts and food trucks. Community & Sports Broadcasts: A reader letter celebrates UH sports returning to broadcast TV on K5, with hopes the deal lasts longer. Film/TV Buzz (Hawaiʻi Five-O): Paramount is developing a feature film adaptation of the classic “Hawaii Five-O,” with Destin Daniel Cretton attached to direct. Sports Calendar: UH hosts New Mexico State Sept. 13 at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, with MW+ streaming listed. Maui County Fair: Applications and deadlines are set for the 99th Maui County Fair contests and exhibitions running Oct. 1–4.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath (Kauaʻi): Port Allen Harbor is badly damaged after the storm, with missing and sunk boats and crumpled docks—plus Kauaʻi residents say radio failures left them “starved for information” during outages. Local Governance & Preparedness: A Kauaʻi emergency-communications gap is highlighted as designated stations struggled when power went out, underscoring the need for backup radios and batteries. Arts & Community (Remembrance): Lāhainā Think Space is set to travel to New York City for a Sept. 18 gathering, expanding Lahaina wildfire remembrance through storytelling and film. Entertainment (Film/TV): Paramount is developing a feature film version of Hawaii Five-O with Spider-Man: Brand New Day director Destin Daniel Cretton attached. Natural World: New research warns coral reefs now have far less time to recover between marine heat waves, threatening Hawaii-relevant reef resilience. Culture Poll: A “Rearview Mirror” reader vote spotlights what defines Hawaii to locals, from everyday food to iconic symbols.

Hula & Community Calendar: Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort is spotlighting Maui’s keiki hula pipeline with the 34th annual “Hula O Nā Keiki” (Oct. 9–10) at Kamehameha Schools Maui, with livestreaming plus a bigger on-site audience setup. Art & Museums: Honolulu Museum of Art is drawing renewed attention to Yayoi Kusama after her death, including a Sept. 12 exhibit tied to “Vital Connections: Art & the Brain,” while the news also revisits past racist language in her writing. Cycling & O‘ahu Events: The Honolulu Century & Ride Aloha Festival returns with routes from 13 to 100 miles and a Sept. 27 ride start at Kapi‘olani Park, plus festival booths and community activities. Weekend O‘ahu Picks: A roundup of O‘ahu happenings for Sept. 11–13 includes multiple night markets and food-focused street events around Kapolei, Ewa Beach, and Kaka‘ako. Film/TV Buzz: Paramount is developing a big-screen “Hawaii Five-O” with Destin Daniel Cretton attached to direct, aiming to bring the classic police procedural back to theaters. Weather & Safety: Highway 11 in Ka‘ū flooded again, trapping drivers between Punaluʻu and Nā‘ālehu as flash flood warnings triggered shelters for stranded motorists.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Kauaʻi is still rebuilding after Lowell’s devastation, with power restored to about 25% of customers as crews push transmission repairs and drone inspections continue. Local Governance & Housing: Honolulu’s YMCA proposal to revert its Ala Moana-area rezoning is moving through City Council, while a Mōʻiliʻili apartment owner is trying a different approach—renovating to keep current tenants’ below-market rents stable. Community Services: Stuck with abandoned Sam’s Club shopping carts in Waikiki? Honolulu residents can request clean-up through the city’s 311 system (call 808-768-4381 or use HNL 311 and choose “Homeless — Clean Up”). Arts & Culture: The 53rd Queen Liliʻuokalani canoe race drew more than 160 waʻa through Kona surf, with wahine leading the start and crews navigating the iconic 18-mile crossing. Sports Spotlight: UH women’s soccer will keep remaining home matches on campus, and Rainbow Wahine volleyball’s Panna Ratkai stepped up after a teammate injury, earning a player-of-the-week nod.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Kauaʻi and Oʻahu are still dealing with dangerous conditions after Lowell’s powerful winds and flooding, with widespread outages and crews assessing damage as officials urge residents and visitors to stay indoors. Local Arts & Community: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center debuts FANCON Maui’s Premier Gaming Fair on Sept. 12 with cosplay, board games, crafts, live demos, and family activities. Honolulu Events: A guide highlights Oktoberfest celebrations on Oʻahu, including Howzit Brewing and Salt at Our Kakaʻako’s stein competitions and German food. Film & Culture: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem star in Florian Zeller’s Venice Film Festival premiere “Bunker,” a thriller that skewers tech billionaires and power. Music Spotlight: Auliʻi Cravalho (Hawaiian-born) will sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Buffalo Bills’ home opener, with Barenaked Ladies performing “O Canada” first. Sports Talent: Honolulu swimmer Olivia Wong commits to Tulane for fall 2027.

Hurricane Lowell Aftermath: Kauaʻi’s power crisis is still the headline, with KIUC saying about 90% of members lost service and restoration depends on transmission repairs before distribution work can begin. Local Impact: On Oʻahu, Hawaiian Electric has restored power to roughly 13,100 customers, but thousands remain dark as crews assess damage from gusts, heavy rain, and high surf. Community & Safety: Kauaʻi closures continue through Friday, including schools, parks, bus service, and state facilities, as officials urge residents to stay off roads. Arts & Culture: “Bunker,” starring Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, premiered at Venice with a sharp warning about isolation and power—an arts moment that’s also resonating locally. Film History in Hawaii: A new look at early surf footage highlights the first-ever surf films shot in Waikīkī in 1906. Sports (UH): UH women’s soccer will shift remaining home matches to Lower Campus Field, and UH football prepares for New Mexico State with quarterback Micah Alejado resting. Music: Isaiah Rashad added Honolulu dates for the next leg of his Lil Sunny’s Awful Road Trip tour.

Hurricane Lowell Update (Kauaʻi): Kauaʻi’s recovery is underway after the storm swept past Niʻihau, with officials reporting major damage, flooded roads, and at least one injury. Power & Flood Risk: KIUC says about 90% of customers were without power early Tuesday, while flash-flood threats linger as Lowell moves away and weakening continues. Community & Culture: The Aloha Market & Island Fest at Cedar Lake drew crowds with Hawaiian music, hula, lei making, ukulele demos, and family activities. Local Arts Spotlight: The ShenCo Ukulele Circle keeps its mission simple—playing for smiles at community events and nursing homes. Fashion & Style: Neil Cohen shares September style ideas built around brand “DNA” and timeless silhouettes. Film Buzz: Venice Film Festival coverage highlights “Bunker,” starring Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, as a heavy-handed thriller about isolation and power. Well-Being (National, Hawaii in focus): WalletHub ranks Hawaii the happiest state, citing life satisfaction, strong physical health, and low financial anxiety.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Kauaʻi and Niʻihau are under hurricane warnings as Lowell passes just west of the islands, bringing damaging winds, flash flooding risk, and life-threatening surf and rip currents across Hawaiʻi. Emergency Closures: Gov. Josh Green ordered closures of state and county offices, DOE public schools, UH campuses, and Hawaiʻi Judiciary facilities on Oʻahu and in Kauaʻi County for Tuesday, with essential services continuing. Local Arts Calendar: The Hawaii Concert Society announced its 65th season, with seven concerts in Hilo across multiple venues while the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center undergoes renovation. Music & Wellness Immersion: Waikīkī Beach Marriott will debut “Sounds of the Ocean,” a 360-degree immersive dome experience opening Oct. 15. Community Health Event: Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital is joining the World’s Largest Pet Walk in Waimea on Sept. 26. Arts & Culture Spotlight: A new wave of women directors is reshaping Korean cinema, with local festival recognition for standout genre-bending films.

Tamuning Car Culture: Grease Monkey Drive-In opened across from Guam Rexall Drugs, built as a car-meet-up inspired by spots in Japan and the U.S.; it’s running limited hours (dinner 4-8 p.m. Tue-Sat) with cash-only while credit cards, kiosks, and QR ordering are set up. Comic Preview: IDW’s Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coastal Chaos #1 sends Mikey and the crew to the Jersey Shore for a sharky, chaos-filled family vacation. Hawaiʻi Film Buzz: Zombie Golf—a comedy-horror shot on Maui and another island—features a cameo by Michelle Wie West and is slated for late-October Hawaii screenings. Local Sports Story: Lahainaluna and Paradise (CA) met in the inaugural “Unity Bowl,” using football as a bridge after the Maui and Camp Fire disasters. Hurricane Lowell Watch: Kauaʻi braces as the storm nears; Gov. Josh Green ordered Kauaʻi closures for state/county offices, schools, and courts on Sept. 8.

Hula & Festivals: The 32nd annual Hula ʻOni E Festival wrapped in Waikīkī, bringing 25 hula hālau from Hawaiʻi and Japan together with award-winning musicians, cultural practitioners, and a marketplace of 70+ local vendors—organizers highlighted the emotional power of multiple generations sharing the stage. Music & Community: Aloha Festivals kicked off its 80th anniversary in Waikīkī with a royal court investiture at The Royal Hawaiian, honoring Hawaiʻi’s aliʻi with traditional protocols, regalia, and live hula and music; more events follow this month including the Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a (Sept. 19) and Floral Parade (Sept. 26). Film & Pop Culture: Netflix confirmed production is underway on “The Inbetweeners 3,” reuniting the original lead cast (Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas) for a third film—fans got a first look via the iconic Fiat Cinquecento “Hawaii edition” car. Local Arts Spotlight: Honolulu Police released footage of its first drone-assisted arrest, part of an ongoing public-safety push—an unusual but notable moment for local media coverage. Sports (Arts-adjacent): Hawaii women’s volleyball finished undefeated in the Outrigger Invitational, capping the weekend with a five-set win over UC San Diego.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Kauaʻi County will hold a public briefing Sunday afternoon on preparations and refuge options as the storm’s outer bands reach the islands; officials say tropical storm conditions are possible by Monday and remind residents to bring “go kits,” with shelters (not yet open) listed across Kīlauea, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe, Kalāheo and Waimea. Local Arts & Community: Down to Earth is launching a UH Athletics–funding vegan “Mac Nut Haupia Smoothie,” blending island flavors like coconut cream, haupia topping and macadamia, with proceeds supporting Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine programs. Music Spotlight: Journey is closing its 52-year Hawaii run with farewell shows at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, capped by state and city proclamations honoring “Mahalo, Journey — For 52 Years of Aloha.” Campus Culture: The Divine Nine brought music, dancing and food to a “Meet the Greeks” picnic introducing Black Greek-letter organizations and building community on campus. Sports/Entertainment Crossover: EVA Air announced higher excess baggage fees starting Sept. 29, including updated international baggage and sports/pet charges.

Local Arts & Culture: Hawaii’s Mason Ho is set to compete in the invitation-only Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy (Sept. 4–11), a format that tests surfers across single-fin, twin-fin and thruster boards. Craft & Heritage: Stone sculptor Perumal Sthapati, working out of Mamallapuram, is bringing Hindu deity and mandir artistry to life in stone for audiences far beyond India, including the U.K., Malaysia, Singapore, the U.S., Sri Lanka and Fiji. Hawaii Arts in the News: An art insurer is suing Alaska Airlines for $521,900 after 11 Japanese paintings were allegedly soaked and damaged during a Honolulu rainstorm transfer between aircraft. Community & Events: The 2026 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon were cancelled as Hurricane Lowell approaches, with officials citing permit pullbacks and safety concerns for runners and volunteers. Hurricane Preparedness: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai and Niihau as Lowell tracks northward, with heavy rain possible. Music & Pop Culture: A piece on the “first-ever signature guitars” traces how early teacher-signed instruments helped popularize the idea of musician-branded models.

Hurricane Lowell Response: Verizon is waiving Kaua‘i domestic call, text, and data charges through Sept. 14 while beefing up Hawai‘i network backup power, satellite messaging, and coordination with HIEMA and public safety partners. Local Governance: The Hawai‘i Supreme Court ordered a new election for House District 43 after a tied GOP primary was decided by a lau hala “egg draw” that the court said didn’t give voters a fair shake. Arts & Culture (Streaming): Darkroom adds the Japanese comedy-drama Hula Girls to its catalog, spotlighting a Fukushima community’s Hawaiian-themed tourism revival through hula. Community & Public Lands: DLNR granted Navy and NASA a 15-day extension on the FEIS for PMRF and the Kōke‘e Park Geophysical Observatory, keeping public testimony in play. Sports (Hawai‘i Spotlight): UNLV visits Hawaii in Honolulu for a Week 1 Mountain West opener, with the matchup framed as a key test for the Warriors’ offense and defense.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Lowell has re-strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane and is expected to pass west of Kauai late Monday into Tuesday, with big surf and rising winds plus heavy rain risks across the islands. Local Arts & Culture: UH Mānoa marked Queen Liliʻuokalani’s lā hānau with music, lei, and campus booths, kicking off Hawaiian History Month. Music Spotlight: Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Rick Blangiardi honored Journey for “52 Years of Aloha,” with Neal Schon receiving a proclamation and gifts at Blaisdell Arena. Community Arts: The Sewing Hui of Maui is inviting fiber artists to enter the 2026 Maui Fiber Arts Show (Oct. 1–4) at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. Arts in Education: Sixteen Hawaii educators were named 2027 Teachers of the Year across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaiʻi Island, with the statewide winner set for Sept. 21. Sports (Hawaii): The Rainbow Wahine beat Loyola Marymount in five sets at the Outrigger Invitational, while Hawaii football hosts UNLV in the Mountain West opener.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Hawaii is bracing for possible impacts early next week as the storm churns northward, with Kauai and Niʻihau flagged for the greatest risk of storm surge, wind, and heavy rain; Gov. Josh Green declared a statewide emergency and urged residents to stock up on supplies. UH Honorary Doctorate: Leeward Community College honored Kumu Robert Cazimero with an honorary doctorate, spotlighting his role in deepening UH’s connection to ʻike Hawaiʻi through hula and Hawaiian music. Cancer Care Access: The Hawaiʻi Department of Health launched an online eligibility form for free breast and cervical cancer screenings under its Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, part of the “Go and Know” mammogram push. Local Nonprofit Fundraiser: Steamboat Sk8 Church seated a new board and is inviting the community to meet members at its Sk8 Forever Fundraiser Luau and skate competition Sept. 19. Film Premiere in Colorado: “The Row,” documenting a solo row from California to Hawaii, premieres at the Telluride Film Festival with an exclusive first look. Music & AI Lawsuit: A new lawsuit targets Suno over claims it commercially exploited musicians’ identities without consent.

Hurricane Lowell Watch: Gov. Josh Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation as Category 4 Lowell (140 mph winds) could swing toward Kaua‘i early next week, with state agencies and the National Guard gearing up and the Major Disaster Fund activated. Local Arts & Community: A kumu hula and musician helped deliver 6.5 tons of supplies to isolated Ka‘ū families after Hurricane Lala by coordinating helicopters for 21 households. Arts, Culture & Storytelling: Fiji’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is pushing Pacific filmmakers to “tell their own stories” and reclaim the narrative. Sports With Hawaii Ties: UH receiver Tama Uiliata is stepping into a bigger role for the UNLV game, while a separate piece spotlights Hawai‘i’s highest-paid athletes, led by Tua Tagovailoa. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Dana White said a new O‘ahu arena could finally make a UFC Hawaii event possible in 2028–2029. Fashion Note: Kendall Jenner debuted at Venice Film Festival in a vintage Giorgio Armani golden dress.