AGP Executive Report

Hawaiʻi Water Workforce: A new University of Hawaiʻi report says the UH System is strong in water education and research, but needs better coordination so students can see clearer paths into wai (water) stewardship careers across the islands. UH Mānoa Libraries & Culture: ARL Leadership Fellows visited UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library to explore how libraries support research and the “Native Hawaiian Place of Learning” initiative, including major Hawaiian, Pacific, Asian, and maps collections. Coral + ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi STEM: UH Hilo’s Kīpuka Hoʻolana internship program is pairing paid marine science work with Hawaiian-language teaching, helping interns mentor peers while building coral restoration knowledge in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Oceanit Innovation: UH Mānoa engineering students showcased summer prototypes at Oceanit’s Future Innovators Summit, including a low-cost acoustic sensing concept to detect coconut rhinoceros beetles hidden in mulch. Cybersecurity (Hawaiʻi targets): The DOJ charged 17 Iranian citizens in a hacking campaign hitting universities, companies, and agencies, including state governments of Hawaiʻi and Indiana, alleging theft of massive scientific data. Deep-sea mining fight: Earthjustice sued the U.S. government to block plans to auction seabed areas around American Samoa for deep-sea mining, with Conservation Council for Hawai‘i involved and claims tied to habitat and endangered-species protections. Hurricane Lala recovery: Sen. Brian Schatz said a federal disaster declaration is expected soon as Hawaiʻi continues damage assessments and works to restore communications and resilience after Lala’s widespread outages and flooding. Volcano science myth-busting: An international volcanology review paper tackles 18 common misconceptions—from “Ring of Fire” to “supervolcanoes” and “mega-tsunamis”—and clarifies core hazards and terminology.

Hurricane Lala Aftermath: Hawaii Island’s recovery continues after Lala skirted the islands, with officials reporting major flooding damage and at least one death in Ka‘u as communities rebuild and restore power and water. Local Resilience & Infrastructure: Separate reporting highlights how Lahaina’s long recovery is still unfolding three years after the 2023 wildfire, with thousands of permits and uneven rebuild progress shaping what “return” looks like on the ground. Cybersecurity & Research Theft: The DOJ unsealed updated charges against 17 people tied to Iran-backed hacking, alleging attacks on U.S. universities, companies, and government agencies, including earlier references to Hawaii networks. Health & Tech in Care: In Honolulu, Elevated Psychiatry is rolling out Creyos for adult ADHD evaluations, aiming to add objective cognitive insights alongside clinical interviews. Policy & Daily Life: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, a move that could end twice-yearly clock changes nationwide. Space/Science Spotlight: NASA-backed work on spherical “aerobots” is advancing plans to explore caves on Saturn’s moon Titan. Energy & Storage: SUNation Energy marked its 800th residential battery installation, underscoring growing demand for backup power as outages remain a key concern in Hawaii.

Hurricane Lala Recovery (Big Island): State and county officials did aerial and ground checks after Lala’s flood damage, with Gov. Josh Green saying flooding and mud caused more harm than wind. Infrastructure Update: Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda walked back earlier fears that up to six bridges were half-destroyed, saying debris and fallen logs made the damage look worse; crews are clearing routes and assessing engineering needs. Emergency Operations: A state release said Hawaii Island offices, public schools, courts, and judiciary facilities stay closed Tuesday, while Oʻahu, Maui County, and Kauaʻi plan to reopen. Ocean Tech for Climate Monitoring: Saildrone is sending solar- and wind-powered aquatic drones from Alameda to the equatorial Pacific to gather new measurements for an El Niño event. Local STEM/Conservation: Hāna residents launched the E Lele! card game to teach Hawaiian seabird conservation, with a Kickstarter campaign nearing its goal and running through Aug. 20. Education & Workforce: UH Community College System ranked 11th best in the nation by WalletHub, highlighting career pathways from nursing to trades and tech.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Damage assessments across Hawaiʻi Island show at least six bridges damaged or destroyed in Kaʻū, with Route 11 washouts and emergency access restored to Pāhala while some bridges remain closed. Seismic Watch: A M4.1 quake near Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo was likely an aftershock of May’s M6.0, with no expected impacts to Mauna Loa or Kīlauea. Local Conservation Tech: Hāna residents launched the E Lele! seabird conservation card game on Kickstarter, using Hawaiian names and gameplay that teaches habitat restoration, predator traps, and reduced light pollution. AI & Influence Monitoring: Zignal Labs announced a narrative-first system to detect coordinated influence activity, extending its agentic intelligence work with a new patent filing. Space Tech: NASA-backed SPARK aims to send spherical “aerobots” into Titan’s caves using solid-state propulsion concepts. Energy Policy: California candidate Xavier Becerra proposes “Power Hour,” offering two hours of free electricity by shifting demand to solar-heavy midday surplus. Health & Vaccines: California’s pediatric groups say they’ll keep following the AAP schedule despite federal childhood vaccine policy changes. Wildlife Science: A new study asks whether city and town actions—like planting wildflowers and changing mowing—can help bring back the rusty-patched bumblebee.

Hurricane Response & Safety: Hurricane Lala skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without landfall but still brought hurricane-force winds, near-1-meter rainfall in spots, widespread flooding risk, and power outages; tropical storm warnings remain for the rest of the island chain as crews and emergency teams ramp up. Local Tech & Connectivity: T-Mobile activated satellite backup via T-Satellite with Starlink and pre-positioned power banks and field crews to keep residents and first responders connected as Lala approaches. STEM & Ocean Cleanup: A Hawaii high schooler, Vera Wang, used coconut-husk fungi to help break down microplastics and sunscreen compounds, turning a school project into a potential natural water-cleaning approach. Space Research: UH-affiliated astrophysicist Rohan Naidu helped identify a “black hole star” seen in early-universe data from the James Webb Space Telescope, a find that could explain mysterious “little red dots.” NASA Concepts: NASA is funding spherical “Aerobots” to explore Titan’s caves, with UH Mānoa researchers leading early work. Energy & Environment: A new UH Mānoa project is testing whether Hawaii’s managed eucalyptus plantations can produce construction-grade lumber, aiming to cut reliance on imported wood. Science Policy Watch: Hawaii’s hemp crackdown faces a federal court fight over whether the state improperly recriminalized federally legal products.

Hurricane Lala: The Big Island took the brunt as Hurricane Lala skirted Hawaii, then weakened to a tropical storm—still bringing hurricane-force winds, near-1 meter rainfall, widespread flooding, mudslide fears, and at least one death; power outages hit 100,000+ households and airports shut down during the worst impacts. Disaster Science & Tech: NASA is funding spherical “Aerobots” to explore Titan’s cave-like karst terrain, aiming to complement the Dragonfly mission timeline. Local Research & Industry: UH Mānoa researchers are testing whether Hawaii-grown eucalyptus can become construction-grade lumber, supported by a $300,000 USDA Wood Innovation grant. Policy & Equity: A new look at “insurance redlining” shows how address-based pricing can make two drivers with identical records pay very different premiums. STEM in Space: James Webb observations highlight a “black hole star” that emits vastly more energy than a normal star, potentially reshaping early-universe models. Energy & Environment: Solar farms can boost local habitat—one study found native plants and pollinators bouncing back quickly under panels. Public Safety & Behavior: Influencers are being warned after shark selfie trends lead to more bites and severe injuries.

Undersea Defense Tech: RIMPAC 2026 showcased AUKUS Pillar II autonomous and seabed warfare systems, with U.S. and Australian teams testing robotic and remotely operated undersea vehicles and surveillance tech in real-world conditions. Hurricane Lala (Big Island): Lala strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and threatened a rare direct hit on Hawaii’s Big Island, with forecasts calling for extreme rain, flooding, and mudslides plus power outages as crews worked to restore service. Hurricane Lala (After Skirt): The storm later skirted the Big Island without landfall, but hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and coastal impacts continued into the night, keeping flood and landslide risk high. Local AI Governance: A new push urges Hawaii to set clear rules before large AI data centers arrive, warning about energy, water, grid strain, and infrastructure costs. Space Science: James Webb detected a “black hole star” (MoM–BH–1), a new kind of object emitting vastly more energy than normal stars, with researchers tied to MIT and the University of Hawaiʻi. Solar & Ecology: Research suggests retired farmland can regain native habitat under solar panels within a few years, boosting pollinators and insect diversity. Hawaii Research in Agriculture: Japanese rice varieties are being trialed on Kauaʻi as part of a Japan–Hawaii cultivation exchange. Marine Debris Art: Maui artists and researchers are turning ghost nets and ocean trash into public art while studying how debris moves through Hawaiian waters.

Hurricane Preparedness: Tropical Storm Lala has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and is bearing down on Hawaii’s Big Island, with the National Hurricane Center warning of possible first direct hurricane landfall in 155 years; forecasters say higher elevations near Mauna Kea could see up to 63.5 cm of rain, raising the risk of life-threatening mudslides, flooding, and wind-driven wildfire danger across the islands. Local Infrastructure & Response: Hawaii’s emergency agencies have mobilized ahead of the storm, including National Guard support and statewide preparations, while residents are urged to seek shelter—especially those in off-grid or improvised housing. Travel Disruption: As Lala approaches, flight delays are turning into cancellations, with airlines issuing rebooking/refund protocols for travelers. Marine Conservation: Maui artist Michiko Smith is transforming washed-up ghost nets and other marine debris into art, highlighting ongoing efforts to study and recycle ocean trash. Public Health Tech: A new FDA-approved sunscreen ingredient (bemotrizinol) is drawing attention for improved UV protection, alongside reminders that sunscreen only works when people use it consistently. Policy Watch: A congressional probe is targeting how airlines use AI and consumer data to set “surveillance pricing,” with Hawaiian Airlines among the carriers asked to respond by Aug. 25.

Tropical Storm Lala: Hawaii’s Big Island is bracing for a rare hurricane threat as Lala is forecast to strengthen before reaching the island early Saturday, with a hurricane warning issued and shelters opening; forecasters warn that even without a direct hit, heavy rain (up to about 25 inches in some Big Island spots), flooding, dangerous surf, and wildfire risk from strong winds could be severe. State Emergency Response: Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation as Hawaiʻi agencies mobilize personnel and equipment, including Hawaiʻi National Guard Task Force Hawaiʻi and county support teams. Local STEM & Media: UH Mānoa student journalists swept statewide Society of Professional Journalists Hawaiʻi awards, taking first place across all eight student categories. Volcano Monitoring Tech: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory highlighted how ocean-noise signals can help track changes beneath Kīlauea, using ambient noise interferometry to spot potential eruptive activity. Space Science: Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope reported a “black hole star” candidate that could reshape early-universe black hole formation theories. Public Safety Tech: Tyler Technologies announced it is acquiring CODY Systems to expand cloud-first software and data management for public safety agencies. Military Systems: A new U.S. Army command-and-control push (NGC2) aims to unify battlefield data and AI, though vendor and network challenges remain.

Hurricane Lala Threatens Hawaii: Tropical Storm Lala is strengthening over unusually warm central Pacific waters, with a Hurricane Warning for the Big Island and Tropical Storm Watches for Maui County; forecasters warn of potentially historic flooding, mudslides, damaging winds, and ocean surges. Navy Shipbuilding Push: Trump signed a memorandum to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity, including a new public shipyard plan tied to Indo-Pacific maintenance needs, plus steps to let allied partners build early vessels while requiring later U.S. construction. Carrier Catapult Reversal: Trump directed the Navy to revert aircraft carriers to steam catapults instead of electromagnetic systems, a move critics say could raise costs. STEM Funding Challenge: The DOJ says three NSF race-based STEM programs violate equal protection, ordering them to end. Hawaii Tech & Mobility: Mokulele Airlines expands its fleet to 16 aircraft and upgrades Honolulu’s Terminal 3. Local Public Health Tech: Hawaii moves to ban disposable vapes starting Jan. 1, aiming to curb youth nicotine use. Space Science: Astronomers report a new “black hole star” candidate that may explain JWST’s early-universe “little red dots.” Ocean Conservation: A roundup highlights major recent marine policy rollbacks affecting Hawaii and beyond.

Tropical Storm Lala Readiness: Hawaii declared a state of emergency as the storm strengthens toward the Big Island, with forecasts warning of hurricane-level conditions, heavy rain, flooding, and landslide risk; Oʻahu officials are also ramping up for winds, surf, and wildfire danger. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Verizon says it prepped Hawaiʻi connectivity with backup generators, satellite support, and coordination with HIEMA and power partners to keep services running during outages. Water Security: The U.S. Navy awarded a $309M contract to Hensel Phelps to build a permanent Red Hill water treatment facility, targeting 10 million gallons per day and completion by 2029. Local Courts: Honolulu’s Supreme Court set Aug. 25 arguments in the legal fight over City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ seat after judge recusals. STEM Policy: DOJ ruled three race-based NSF STEM programs unconstitutional, pushing changes to how diversity initiatives are funded. Biosecurity: Hawaiʻi captured and euthanized an opossum found in a Hilo freight warehouse container staging area, sending tissue for rabies testing. AI Hardware: Japan’s Institute of Science Tokyo unveiled BBCube, a chip-integration platform aimed at faster, better-cooled AI accelerators. Space & Culture: Research compares how Hawaiʻi’s lunar calendar aligns with other Pacific island traditions, with implications for Polynesian voyaging and language history.

Hawaiʻi Weather & Emergency Prep: Tropical Storm Lala is tracking toward the Big Island, with a hurricane watch, possible 75 mph gusts, and up to 15 inches of rain that could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides. Volcano Science: Kīlauea’s Episode 53 ended early Thursday after about 9.6 hours of high lava fountaining, with fountains reaching roughly 500 feet and tephra confined to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Space Tech in Hawaiʻi: The U.S. Space Force’s Maui High Performance Computing Center unveiled the Makau supercomputer for DoD test-and-evaluation, using AI-enabled data analysis to speed up decision-making. Local Public Health: West Coast Health Alliance reaffirmed evidence-based immunization guidance, endorsing the 2026 child/adolescent and maternal vaccine schedules. Biosecurity at Hilo Harbor: A live opossum was captured at a freight warehouse near Hilo Harbor and euthanized for rabies testing, with Hawaiʻi remaining rabies-free. Energy Costs Debate: A new report argues renewable-heavy “Blue state” policies are driving higher electricity prices versus “Red states.” Defense Tech at RIMPAC: US Navy and Lockheed Martin tested an AI sonar system (SensorMAX) during RIMPAC near Hawaiʻi. Infrastructure Update: NAVFAC Hawaii awarded a $309M contract to Hensel Phelps to restore Oʻahu’s Red Hill water treatment facility, targeting completion in 2029.

Volcano Science in Real Time: USGS says Kīlauea’s Episode 53 is underway, with lava fountains peaking around 500 feet and a plume spreading mainly southwest and west, while the alert level rose to watch/orange but impacts remain confined to Halemaʻumaʻu. AI for Local Permits: Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting is rolling out CivCheck for residential permit reviews, aiming to cut turnaround times by 70% starting in September. Space & STEM: The U.S. Space Force unveiled the Makau supercomputer at the Maui High Performance Computing Center, built for faster AI-enabled analysis for defense testing and evaluation. Astronomy Breakthrough: A “black hole star” spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope could explain puzzling “little red dots” from the early universe. Public Safety Tech: HPD’s Scientific Investigation Section is running a summer internship giving college students hands-on crime scene and forensic experience. Marine Economy & Stewardship: The Hawaiian Council completed its acquisition of Sea Life Park, shifting long-term focus toward Native Hawaiian culture, marine science, and education. Weather Watch: Honolulu continues preparations as Tropical Cyclone One-C may strengthen into a storm late Friday, bringing gusty winds, rough surf, and heavy rain risks.

Red Hill Water Upgrade: NAVFAC Hawaii awarded a $309.65M contract to Hensel Phelps for the Red Hill Water Treatment Facility (P-716), targeting completion by Aug. 2029 to strengthen water safety at JBPHH. Ocean Health: NOAA released details on two young Hawaiian monk seal deaths on Oahu’s North Shore, including RU02 killed by toxoplasmosis, while noting a record year for pup births. Solar Science on Maui: New images from the Inouye Solar Telescope captured the sun’s highest-resolution surface view, revealing tiny swirling structures that could improve understanding of solar flares and space weather. Space Discovery: Astronomers using JWST reported a new “black hole star” that may help explain the mysterious “little red dots” seen in the early universe. Cyber & Fraud Watch: The FCC warned about scammers impersonating FCC officials to pressure victims into sharing sensitive info or sending money. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Honolulu’s Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant hit a major milestone with completion of Secondary Treatment Phase 1, using membrane bioreactors and UV disinfection. Procurement & Defense Industry: NAVFAC Hawaii hosted its 4th annual Government Procurement Industry Forum to connect contractors—especially small businesses—with Navy contracting opportunities. Airline Pricing Scrutiny: Rep. Frank Pallone pressed major airlines for answers on “surveillance pricing,” asking whether personal data and AI influence what passengers pay. Health Innovation: The AMA launched inaugural Community Health Impact Lab micro grants, awarding $50K each to physician-led projects aimed at scalable community health solutions.

Seismic Watch: A 5.5-magnitude quake hit Hawaii early Wednesday, with an epicenter near 19.09°N, 155.40°W and a depth of 10 km, according to GFZ. Public Health: Experts warn about a rise in the deadly drug-resistant fungus Candida auris, with cases reported across 27 states and thousands nationwide. Local Housing & Tech-Enabled Solutions: A Waiʻanae community relocation effort is nearing its Oct. 16 deadline, moving residents from Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae into tiny homes—an unusual public-private model for tackling houselessness. Disaster Recovery: UHERO reports that progress after the Maui wildfires continues, but housing stability gains are paired with shrinking financial assistance and ongoing navigation gaps for survivors. Environment & Infrastructure: Honolulu leaders blessed a new Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Membrane Bioreactor facility, pitching it as a step toward more resilient, ocean-protecting infrastructure. Clean Aviation: Interisland test flights are underway for all-electric aircraft with BETA Technologies and Mokulele Airlines, aiming for reliable short-haul service. Volcano Update: USGS says Kīlauea’s summit activity is paused, with tilt shifting back toward inflation and normalizing seismicity in the Southwest Rift Zone. Surveillance & Civil Liberties: Local groups protested Palantir’s presence in downtown Honolulu, citing concerns about data-driven surveillance and facial recognition.

Climate Courts: A Ninth Circuit panel refused to rehear a youth-led constitutional climate lawsuit, leaving the case (with young plaintiffs including people from Hawaii) dismissed after judges said the requested rollback of Trump-era executive orders was “unprecedented.” Local Tech & Public Safety: Hawaii County advanced proposals to fight fentanyl overdoses, including portable fentanyl-detection devices for HPD and naloxone distribution boxes at county buildings in Hilo and Kona. AI for Research in Hawaii: UH PhD student Pavel Bushuyeu is using B3IQ, a rent-to-own dedicated GPU setup, to avoid shared-campus compute limits and privacy/cost issues with outside cloud services. Space Science (Hawaii): NSF’s Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawai‘i helped reveal tiny solar plasma vortices, resolving features about 20 kilometers across. Health Watch: CDC data suggests a potential summer Covid uptick, with Hawaii showing moderate activity in wastewater monitoring. STEM in the Islands: A Hawaii art duo, Wooden Wave, is painting sustainability-and-play murals that reward close-up viewing with hidden storytelling details.