AGP Executive Report
Last update: 8 hours agoClimate Watch: A “super” El Niño is now underway, with NOAA’s Relative Oceanic Niño Index running about 2.0°C above average and expected to keep strengthening—raising the odds of major weather shifts worldwide. Hawaiʻi Resilience & Tech: FEMA approved nearly $7.6M for Hawaii disaster recovery and hazard mitigation, including emergency power for REHAB Hospital and a statewide GIS-based vulnerability study for transportation. Coastal Engineering: UH’s Applied Research Lab is testing a “living breakwater” off Kalaeloa—60 concrete reef structures aimed at cutting wave energy and protecting shoreline after recent storms. Health & Environment: UH researchers won a $3.6M NIH grant to study how legacy plantation-era contamination (like arsenic, lead, dioxins, and “forever chemicals”) may still be affecting health, including how wildfires and floods could move pollutants. Local Governance: A Hawaii County bill would prioritize native plants in county landscaping, parks, public facilities, and rights of way when practical. Business Sentiment: A BOSS survey finds 57% of Hawaii business leaders say the state is a worse place to run a company than five years ago. Healthcare Policy: Gov. Josh Green stayed neutral on the proposed One Health Hawaiʻi partnership between HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, urging proactive reforms before outside control. STEM/Training: Honolulu opened a DMV kiosk in Kailua, expanding local service access.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.