AGP Executive Report

Privacy Policy Fight: Hawaiʻi’s Office of Consumer Protection joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general opposing the federal SECURE Data Act, saying it would cap state privacy protections and limit Hawaiʻi’s ability to respond to new tech. Digital Identity in the Real World: A Hawaii ID scanning problem at airports highlighted how REAL ID can still fail when the issuing ecosystem, scanners, software, and airport workflows aren’t aligned. Reef Science: Kuleana Coral Restoration hit a milestone on Oʻahu’s Waianae Coast, restoring more than 10,000 corals and planning new nursery tables this summer. Biometrics Watch: Meta’s smart-glasses facial recognition work drew scrutiny after reports it licensed technology from ROC, a firm tied to government and military uses. Seismic Research: A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study says stress along the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults has reached the highest levels in 1,000 years, with possible “earthquake gate” effects at Cajon Pass. Military Tech & Readiness: The U.S. Army’s Defense Health Network Indo-Pacific and Medical Readiness Command, Pacific leadership described the challenge of delivering care across the Pacific. Weather & Climate: NOAA says a new El Niño has formed and could strengthen later in 2026, raising odds of hotter, drier conditions in parts of the U.S. STEM Education: Sandia’s QCaMP for Educators returns to 18 cities to train teachers in quantum science.

Privacy Policy Fight: Hawaiʻi’s Office of Consumer Protection joined a coalition of AGs opposing the federal SECURE Data Act, warning it would cap state privacy protections and limit Hawaiʻi’s ability to respond to new tech. Ocean Science: For the first time, researchers captured goblin sharks alive on camera in the deep Pacific, extending what’s known about the elusive species’ range and habitat depth. Semiconductor Workforce: Northwest Nazarene University joined a regional microelectronics education initiative led by Boise State, funded by NSF and SEMI Foundation, with support for student research and a semiconductor camp that also includes Hawaii in the regional node. Volcano Update (Kīlauea): Kīlauea’s Episode 49 lava fountaining ended after about 7.5 hours, with the alert level lowered from WATCH to ADVISORY and aviation code reduced to YELLOW, though ash hazards remain near the summit. Local Infrastructure & Safety: Waikoloa Village residents are pushing for a “Waikoloa Second Road” to reduce evacuation bottlenecks as new housing expands, citing past wildfire impacts and the village’s single main access route. Healthcare Tech: Maui Memorial Medical Center received a new CT scanner, aiming for faster, more detailed imaging to support earlier and more accurate diagnoses across Maui County. Weather & Risk: NOAA confirmed El Niño has formed and could strengthen into late 2026, raising odds of hotter, drier conditions in parts of the U.S. and increasing wildfire and drought concerns.

Biotech Breakthrough: Enterome shared interim Phase 1/2 SIDNEY results for EO2463, reporting strong, durable CD8 T-cell responses tied to clinical activity in indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with OncoMimics™ aiming to act as a predictive biomarker. Volcano & Public Safety: Kīlauea’s Episode 49 lava fountaining at Halemaʻumaʻu ran about 7.5 hours, then stopped; the alert level dropped from WATCH to ADVISORY and aviation code eased, though ashfall hazards remain near the summit. Ocean Policy Clash: Ocean advocates condemned Trump’s proclamation reopening three Pacific marine monuments to commercial fishing, arguing it undermines protections meant to prevent ecosystem damage. Climate Watch: NOAA confirmed El Niño is underway and could reach historic strength, raising odds of extreme heat, floods, droughts, and fires worldwide. Hawaii Tech & Research Access: NOIRLab’s free Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience is bringing Hawaiʻi residents up to Maunakea to see astronomy work firsthand. Local Health & Tech Governance: OHA will reconsider due diligence funding for a possible KITV/KIKU acquisition, reviving a proposal after trustees’ earlier narrow rejection. Deep-Sea Discovery: Australian and University of Hawaiʻi researchers captured the first live footage of goblin sharks in their natural habitat, including a Tonga Trench sighting.

Forensic Breakthrough: A 26-year-old mystery in Olympic National Park ended after DNA genealogy identified the remains in a sleeping bag as Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., a Hawaii native, with investigators citing modern DNA methods and family matches. Robotics & Extreme Engineering: A modified Unitree G1 humanoid reportedly trekked up Ecuador’s Chimborazo (higher than Denali) as a step toward Everest-style climbs, mixing autonomous walking with human assistance. Hawaiʻi Astronomy Access: NOIRLab’s free Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience is bringing 28 Hawaiʻi residents to see summit work up close, including NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility. Public Health & Community: World Blood Donor Day drew a coalition of 100+ organizations nationwide to push blood donations as “one drop of humanity.” Local Science & Climate: Researchers are tackling rapid ʻŌhiʻa death with new tools and coordinated response efforts, while advocates warn Hawaii’s renewable energy goals are at risk despite a renewed solar tax credit move. Ocean Tech & Conservation: UH Sea Grant’s “Voice of the Sea” won a record 10 Telly Awards, including a Gold for Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project coverage. Weather Watch: Forecasters warn a potentially very strong El Niño could mean a busier hurricane season and more tropical storm activity near Hawaiʻi.

El Niño Watch: Hawaii’s National Weather Service says there’s an 80–90% chance El Niño will develop, with a 63% shot at a “very strong” event that could boost tropical storm activity near the islands during hurricane season. Solar Policy: Gov. Josh Green issued Executive Order 26-02 to preserve Hawaii’s 2026 distributed solar tax credit changes from Act 24, aiming to protect projects already underway while setting up a 2027 legislative path. Volcano Update: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says Kīlauea episode 49 is likely to start between June 13–15, with the alert level at WATCH. Conservation Tech: DLNR and USFS on Kauaʻi deployed SPLAT® Verb beetle repellent to slow Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death spread, and DAR continues coordinated containment of an invasive sea anemone in Kāneʻohe Bay. Local Funding: Hawaiʻi County opened applications for its 2026–27 Impact Grant Program, with $450,000 total for nonprofit projects. Forensics Breakthrough: DNA identified a man found in a sleeping bag in Olympic National Park in 2000 as Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., reportedly from Hawaii. Science Spotlight: UH researchers reported the first live observations of a rare goblin shark in its natural habitat near Jarvis Island. Marine Protections: Trump signed a proclamation reopening parts of Papahānaumokuākea and other Pacific marine monuments to commercial fishing, drawing both support and sharp criticism.

Kīlauea Update: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says the window for Kīlauea episode 49 is open, with the most likely start between Sunday June 13 and Monday June 15 (WATCH level), after continued summit inflation, tremor, and vent glow. Local Energy Policy: Gov. Josh Green signed Executive Order 26-02 to preserve Hawaii’s 2026 solar tax credit changes from Act 24, aiming to protect distributed rooftop solar investments while setting up the 2027 legislative session. Conservation Tech in the Field: DLNR and partners deployed SPLAT® Verb beetle repellent on Kauaʻi to slow Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death spread, using a preventive approach against the ambrosia beetle cycle. AI Policing Debate: Maui County approved $1.7M for AI-assisted surveillance tools, including cameras and drones, drawing civil-rights concerns over real-time monitoring and anomaly detection. Marine Science Breakthrough: UH researchers helped document a rare goblin shark sighting alive in its natural deep-sea habitat, adding new Central Pacific data to a species long known only from incidental captures. Community & Grants: Hawai‘i County opened applications for its 2026-27 Impact Grant Program, offering $450,000 total for nonprofit projects across agriculture, business, food security, and regenerative tourism. Ocean Protection vs Fishing: Trump signed a proclamation reopening parts of Papahānaumokuākea and other Pacific marine monuments to commercial fishing, praised by fishery managers but criticized by Native Hawaiian and conservation groups.

AI Policing in Maui: Maui County approved a $1.7M expansion of AI-assisted surveillance, including cameras and Brinc drones feeding a real-time operations center—raising civil-rights concerns about constant monitoring. Biosecurity for Hawaiʻi Forests: DLNR and the U.S. Forest Service deployed SPLAT® Verb, a beetle repellent, to slow Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death spread in Kōkeʻe State Park by disrupting the ambrosia beetle cycle. Invasive Species at Kāneʻohe Bay: DAR says the coordinated response to an invasive Manjano sea anemone is progressing, using tarps and chemical control with help from multiple state and federal partners. Molokaʻi Ranching Under Quarantine: Ranchers warn a long-running TB quarantine is strangling the island’s cattle industry, calling for wildlife testing and an end to blanket culling. Renewables Policy: Gov. Josh Green issued an executive order preserving Hawaiʻi’s 2026 distributed solar tax credit after Act 24 changes. Forensic DNA Breakthrough: A 25-year Olympic National Park sleeping-bag case was solved with DNA genealogy, identifying Joseph Louis Serrao Jr. Deep-Sea Discovery: Scientists captured goblin sharks alive on camera near Hawaii and the Tonga Trench, expanding what’s known about the “living fossil.” STEM/Local Recognition: Hawaiʻi Sea Grant’s “Voice of the Sea” won 10 Telly Awards, including a Gold for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project.

Deep-Sea Discovery: Researchers filmed goblin sharks alive in the Tonga Trench and near Jarvis Island, expanding what’s known about the species’ depth and range. Climate Watch: NOAA confirmed El Niño has formed, with a 63% chance it will reach “largest” historical strength and turbocharge extreme weather. Hawaii Research & Food Security: UH Hilo is a core partner in a $13.5M federal aquaculture consortium (CIFARM), aiming to boost resilient, locally informed seafood production. Local Tech/Policy: UH researchers deployed temporary seismic sensors after the May 22, 6.0 quake to better map aftershocks near Honaunau. Marine Health: A sperm whale necropsy in Kauai found fishing nets and household plastics in its stomach, underscoring ocean pollution risks. Public Safety: Honolulu EMS reports a rise in child near-drownings, mostly in pools, as summer water activity ramps up. Housing & Environment Funding: Rep. Ed Case opposed major House spending bills over cuts to affordable housing and environmental programs, despite securing Hawaiʻi priorities. Education Access: Nexford University says it’s now enrolling students in all 50 states for fully online business and technology degrees.

Forensic Breakthrough (Hawaii ties): Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., a Hawaii man reported missing in 1998, was finally identified from human remains found in a sleeping bag at Washington’s Olympic National Park in 2000, using modern forensic genealogy and DNA matching with relatives across multiple states. Ocean Policy (Hawaii impact): President Trump signed a proclamation reopening parts of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument near Hawaiʻi—and other Pacific marine monuments—to U.S. commercial fishing, a move supporters say boosts seafood supply and coastal jobs while critics warn it weakens long-protected ocean safeguards. Local Research & Food Security: UH researchers were selected as core members of a new $13.5M federal aquaculture consortium (CIFARM), aiming to strengthen U.S. seafood research and markets with Hawaiʻi-based expertise. Volcano Watch (Kīlauea): USGS reported Kīlauea’s summit eruption remains paused, with models pointing to another possible high lava-fountaining episode between June 13 and June 15. STEM & Community (Maui): The Construction Industry of Maui awarded $20,000 scholarships to three Maui students, including work exploring nontoxic wildfire-suppression foam using native Hawaiian plants. Weather Outlook (El Niño): NOAA confirmed El Niño has formed and could reach historic strength, with forecasters warning it may turbocharge extreme heat, floods, droughts, and wildfires.

Climate Watch: NOAA has confirmed El Niño has begun, with a 63% chance it will become a “very strong” event this late fall/early winter—meteorologists warn it could turbocharge extreme heat, floods, droughts, tornadoes and wildfires worldwide, with impacts likely to hit the Pacific region fast. Hawaiʻi Policy & Cost of Living: Gov. Josh Green is considering pausing Hawaii’s state and county gasoline taxes for part of the summer to blunt soaring pump prices, with the state averaging about $5.58 a gallon. Local Tech & Business: Supper at Home launched SupperTimeAI, a patent-pending AI system aimed at getting guests to private-home dinners on time and reducing no-show waste, rolling out in 23 countries. STEM & Research: A Stanford-led study finds butterfly caterpillars can be pickier where plant diversity is highest—challenging the usual expectation that sparse plant communities drive specialization. Public Safety/Forensics: After 26 years, Olympic National Park identified human remains found in a sleeping bag as Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., using newer DNA and forensic genealogy methods. Education Equity: A new KIDS COUNT snapshot ranks Hawaii 25th overall but flags weak reading and math proficiency, especially for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.

Space Tech in Hawaii: LeoLabs says its new transportable space-tracking radar (Scout Hawaii) is now operational and will participate in the Valiant Shield exercise around Hawaii, Guam and Japan. Ocean Science: Chinese researchers report the world’s deepest and oldest whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean, with whale-fall fossils up to 5.3 million years old and deep-sea life thriving on the remains. Local Health Tech: Straub Benioff Medical Center opened a renovated Emergency Department in Honolulu, expanding capacity and adding safety upgrades like decontamination and negative-pressure rooms. STEM & Community: UH Hilo students launched a medicinal garden to study Pacific and Hawaiian plants with medicinal potential, linking agriculture, pharmacy and Hawaiian studies. Policy & Trade Tech: A bill would direct NOAA to develop a portable chemical test to verify shrimp country of origin, aiming to improve traceability and enforcement. Earth & Safety: A magnitude 4.7 quake hit east of Papaikou; no tsunami threat and no volcanic link reported.

NOAA & Food Traceability: Rep. Nancy Mace’s proposed SHRIMP Act would push NOAA to develop a portable chemical test to verify shrimp country of origin, aiming to curb undercutting from imports and improve port screening and food safety. Ocean Science: Chinese researchers report the world’s largest whale graveyard in the Indian Ocean—deep, ancient “whale falls” spanning up to 7,000 meters—supporting rich deep-sea ecosystems and even a newly identified whale species. Aviation Connectivity: Airlines are betting big on Starlink; Emirates says demand rose after onboard rollout, and United is moving through Starlink retrofit steps on 777s. Hawaiʻi Earthquakes: A 4.7 quake struck east of Pāpa‘ikou; HVO says it was plate-bending stress, not volcanic activity, with no tsunami threat. Public Safety Tech: Hawaiʻi’s first National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) site is now live, linking county shell-casing scans to a national system for faster gun-crime connections. Local Research & Jobs: UH Hilo is set to lead Hawaii’s role in a $13.5M NOAA aquaculture consortium (CIFARM) to expand sustainable U.S. seafood production.

UH Governance: Gov. Josh Green appointed UH Mānoa student Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, pending Senate confirmation. Public Safety Tech: Hawaii unveiled its first National Integrated Ballistic Information Network site, named for fallen Maui Officer Suzanne O., to help connect gun crimes across counties and islands. NOAA Aquaculture Push: UH is joining a $13.5M NOAA aquaculture consortium (CIFARM) to expand sustainable seafood production, with UH Hilo’s Chatham Callan leading the Hawaii research team. Education Access: Hawaiʻi Community College’s Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa launches “First Year Here at Kō,” bringing local first-year general education with advising and tutoring. Food Innovation: The Ulupono Fund is subsidizing up to $3,000 per business for validation testing tied to Leeward CC’s high pressure processing system, helping local makers get products into retail. Health & Aging: Lokahi Longevity is promoting universal hs-CRP blood screening to track inflammation’s role in cardiovascular risk. Astronomy from Maunakea: NOIRLab released a detailed Crystal Ball Nebula image from Gemini North at Maunakea. Arts + Science: Honolulu’s new exhibit, “Hawaiian Landscapes: Earth Within Us,” links geology and biology through paintings and mixed media.

NOAA & Aquaculture Research: NOAA launched CIFARM, a new cooperative institute hosted by the University of New Hampshire, with partners including University of Hawaii and Hawaii Sea Grant, aiming to boost sustainable U.S. seafood through aquaculture research and markets. Space Science from Maunakea: NOIRLab released a striking new Gemini North image of the Crystal Ball Nebula (NGC 1514), showing a dying star’s expanding gas shaped by a binary companion—captured at Maunakea, Hawaii. Hawaii Tech in the News (and beyond): Hawaiian Built Roofing says it’s Idaho’s only certified installer of CertainTeed Solstice roof-integrated solar shingles, offering a local path to combined roofing and solar installs. Health Tech in Honolulu: Lokahi Longevity is promoting universal hs-CRP screening after the American College of Cardiology urged broader inflammation testing for adults 20+, with $20.50 access to the test. Local Leadership at DLNR: Gov. Josh Green announced Dawn Chang’s retirement from DLNR effective July 1, naming Ryan Kanaka‘ole as chair/director and David Day as first deputy. Policy & Tech Workforce: A federal court vacated the Trump administration’s unlawful $100,000 H-1B “tax,” with Hawaii’s AG Kwame Raoul highlighting the ruling’s impact on hiring for specialty roles.

Hawaiʻi Public Safety & Courts: A judge reduced bail for a Puna man charged in a fatal June 3 motorcycle crash in Hawaiian Beaches, lowering it from $553,050 to $350,000 as the case heads to a June 10 preliminary hearing. Youth Crime Investigation: Three juveniles were charged in a Mililani robbery probe tied to a deadly June 4 shooting, with prosecutors previously declining murder charges after determining self-defense. State Tech & Food Innovation: The Ulupono Fund launched a grant program for Hawaii food entrepreneurs, offering up to $3,000 each to help cover costly food-safety validation for products using high-pressure processing at Leeward Community College. Local Leadership: Gov. Josh Green announced a DLNR leadership transition, with Ryan Kanakaʻole named chair/director and David Day as first deputy. Space & Science (Maunakea): Astronomers captured a new Crystal Ball Nebula image using Gemini North on Maunakea, showing the dying-star glow from about 1,500 years ago. Tech Policy: A federal judge struck down Trump’s proposed $100,000 H-1B fee as an unlawful tax, a major win for employers relying on skilled foreign workers. Military & Tech: USS Carl M. Levin held a change of command ceremony at Pearl Harbor, passing leadership from Cmdr. Brent Holloway to Cmdr. Benjamin Bond.

Volcano & climate science: Researchers say humans have visually observed less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor, underscoring how little we know about the ocean’s role as a carbon sink and climate buffer—especially as seabed mining moves ahead. Hawaiʻi tech & health: Hawaii’s Legislature advanced vaping rules for youth, while lawmakers also addressed medical debt and doctor-shortage gaps with new funding and programs. Biotech in Hawaiʻi: Soligenix is partnering with UH Mānoa to pursue rapid development of a thermostable Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine under CEPI funding. Space/astronomy: Using the Subaru Telescope on Maunakea, astronomers spotted a rare transitional object that helps explain how gas-shrouded galaxies evolve into quasars. Local environment: West Oʻahu’s proposed Makaiwa Hills landfill site was effectively paused after Honolulu’s budget omitted funding. Transportation safety: The NTSB preliminary report on a Molokai crash says the engine began running rough and losing power before the pilots exited and swam to shore. Nuclear policy: A defense bill would require deployment of nuclear microreactors to the Indo-Pacific by 2030, drawing concern from Hawaiʻi and Guam voices.