AGP Executive Report

Kīlauea & travel mood: Hawaii’s latest headlines are mostly off-island celebrity chatter and mainland travel talk, but the big local thread is still air quality fights—the Trump EPA has partially rejected Hawai‘i’s Regional Haze plan, threatening visibility gains around Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Haleakalā and leaving older oil-plant closures in limbo. Local governance: Hawaii County moved to protect Honolulu Landing, buying 364 acres in Puna for $3.7M after years of advocacy. Homelessness: Hawaii County’s Point-in-Time count shows a slight dip, with fewer people unsheltered. Tourism & safety: A Navy pipeline rupture leaked untreated sewage into Pearl Harbor, and the state is also tightening rules on license plate covers starting Jan. 1. Sports: UH’s Magdaleno keeps rolling—third straight Big West Pitcher of the Week.

Navy Spill in Pearl Harbor: A broken Navy wastewater pipeline ruptured near the piers at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, leaking about 2,250 gallons of untreated sewage; the leak was found around 7 a.m. and stopped about five hours later, with the Navy saying the sewage isn’t recoverable but will naturally break down, and the state Department of Health was notified. Wildlife Update: A dead Hawaiian monk seal washed ashore off Nanakuli on May 6 has been identified as Ka‘ale (RH32), with NOAA saying a post-mortem will take weeks and noting he previously survived a hook injury in 2018. Air Quality Clash: The Trump EPA rejected Hawai‘i’s plan to cut haze from aging oil-burning power plants, arguing the state’s Regional Haze plan can’t move forward. Travel & Airport Moves: Hawaiian Airlines marked progress toward electrifying Honolulu airport ground equipment, and AAA says Memorial Day gas prices are the highest since 2022. Local Life: Honolulu EMS promoted 10 staff during National EMS Week, and Kūhiō Avenue road rehab is set to start June 8.

Coastal Flood Update: Hawai‘i’s coastal flood statement is extended through Monday night, with isolated minor flooding most likely around late-afternoon peak high tides—expect saltwater on normally dry beaches and possible minor erosion. Budget Flight Shock: Spirit Airlines’ collapse is already hitting travelers planning for summer, with a bankruptcy-court apology to customers who may now be “priced entirely out,” while rising fuel costs tied to the Iran war keep fares and fees elevated. Wildlife Watch: A Maui man accused of throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal says he was trying to protect turtles, but the case is still drawing intense public backlash. Whale Science: Tourists’ social-media sightings are helping researchers study why humpbacks sometimes gape their mouths wide open, with possible roles in communication, stretching, or play. Local Health Push: Hawai‘i County is weighing property tax hikes to close a $15M budget gap, while Kona gets a $50M outpatient care center plan to ease “healthcare desert” access.

Kīlauea Watch: USGS says Kīlauea could erupt again between May 22–25 after episode 47’s 9 hours of lava fountaining, with millions of cubic yards of new lava filling much of Halemaʻumaʻu. Flood & Travel Pressure: A flood advisory is in effect for parts of East Hawaiʻi through mid-afternoon Sunday as heavy rain targets Pāhoa and nearby areas. Rent Backlash After Kona Low: Flood victims in Manoa say a landlord is raising rent while repairs are still incomplete—tenants call it “distasteful.” Monk Seal Case: A Seattle-area man accused of throwing a rock at endangered monk seal Lani is defending himself, claiming he meant to scare the seal away to protect turtles. Safety Alerts: Two separate water emergencies sent an elderly diver and an elderly surfer to the hospital; Honolulu also reported a serious Kalihi hit-and-run. Local Flow: UH Mānoa graduation ceremonies start May 18, with congestion expected around campus.

FBI “VIP snorkel” backlash: New reporting says FBI Director Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip included a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” near the USS Arizona memorial—an outing officials say is tightly restricted—adding fresh scrutiny to claims he mixed official business with leisure. Tourism & travel pressure: LAX security lines surged at the start of summer, with peak TSA waits hitting about 45 minutes, a reminder that travel demand is straining staffing. Local business buzz: Sonic opened its first Oahu carhop in Kapolei, rolling out drive-thru and patio service after a morning blessing. Marine protection spotlight: A viral monk seal rock-throwing incident is still driving calls for stronger visitor education and enforcement. Island economy watch: UHERO economists warn Hawaii’s outlook is darkening as higher oil prices raise costs and slow key visitor markets. Roads & weather: HIDOT posted a week of lane closures, while recent heavy-shower risk eased enough for a statewide flood watch to be canceled.

Pearl Harbor Fallout: FBI Director Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip is under fresh fire after new reports say he joined a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” near the USS Arizona memorial, where rules bar visitors from entering the water—raising fresh questions about ethics and respect for the site. Traffic & Safety: Honolulu police are searching for a motorcyclist accused of hitting a pedestrian in a Kalihi crosswalk and fleeing; the woman is in serious condition. Road Tragedy: On Hawai‘i Island, a head-on crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway killed two and left four others injured, marking another deadly stretch of the route. Weather Watch: A state flood watch was canceled after heavy rain eased, but O‘ahu still saw lightning, flooding, and power cuts. Tourism Buzz: Sonic opened its first O‘ahu carhop in Kapolei, and the weekend also brought Kilauea alert updates and ongoing volcanic monitoring across the Pacific.

Road Safety: A head-on crash on Hawai‘i Island’s Daniel K. Inouye Highway killed two people Friday afternoon, the fifth and sixth traffic deaths on the island in 10 days and the second double-fatality on a 13-mile stretch; police say a wet-curve loss of control sent a Tacoma into an oncoming Dodge towing a mini excavator, with two passengers unbelted and pronounced dead at 4:20 p.m. Storm Impact: O‘ahu was hit by severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, lightning, road flooding, flight delays, and widespread Hawaiian Electric outages affecting tens of thousands of customers. Pearl Harbor Ethics: FBI Director Kash Patel is under fresh scrutiny after reports of a “VIP snorkel” near the USS Arizona memorial during an official Hawaii visit. Local Life: Falls on Fire got the green light to continue in Papaikou after a Hawaii County panel approved a special use permit with conditions. Traffic Update: Honolulu will reopen contraflow on the North Kalaheo Avenue Bridge starting Monday, with set hours and weekday detours.

Storm Aftermath: Severe weather battered Oʻahu again Friday, triggering flooding, road closures, flight delays, and widespread outages—Hawaiian Electric reported more than 36,000 customers without power across nearly 100 outages, with crews restoring service as a flash flood warning ran and then shifted to a flood advisory. Traffic Update: The North Kālaheo Avenue Bridge will reopen with daytime contraflow starting Monday, running two-way for set morning hours before narrowing later in the day through July 31. Market Pressure: UHERO’s 2026 Housing Factbook flags a condo squeeze where prices may be slipping, but the cost to hold a unit keeps climbing—driven by HOA fees, insurance repricing, and looming federal flood-map changes. Ocean Safety: Two Hilo beach parks closed for the day after a shark sighting. Tourism Watch: A new controversy swirls around FBI Director Kash Patel after reports he joined a “VIP snorkel” near the USS Arizona Memorial during an official Hawaii visit. Legal/Local Governance: The state is accepting applications for a Supreme Court associate justice vacancy.

Short-Term Rental Compliance: JP-Homes.com just launched a “Regulatory Lighthouse” registry meant to help travelers verify resort-zoned stays as Hawaii’s 2026 zoning enforcement ramps up. Pearl Harbor Outrage: New emails say FBI Director Kash Patel took a “VIP snorkel” near the USS Arizona memorial—sparking fury over access to a sacred WWII grave and renewed questions about transparency. Kīlauea Update: Episode 47 at Halemaʻumaʻu ended early May 15 after about 9 hours of lava fountaining and a plume topping roughly 20,000 feet. Maui Monk Seal Case: A Washington man accused of throwing a rock at endangered monk seal “Lani” faces federal charges; his attorney says he didn’t intend harm. Gas Watch: AAA says national gas prices dipped then ticked back up, with Memorial Day expected to bring the highest prices in four years. Aloha Tower Lights: Colored commemorative lighting is targeted to resume by September, tied to the tower’s centennial after major renovations.

Monk Seal Case: A Washington tourist, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk (38), was arrested and charged federally after a video showed him hurling a coconut-sized rock at the endangered monk seal “Lani” off Lahaina—he allegedly bragged he was “rich enough to pay the fines.” Volcano Watch: On Hawaiʻi Island, Kīlauea’s Episode 47 is underway with lava fountaining from the north vent and intermittent activity at the south vent; USGS says it’s confined to Halemaʻumaʻu, with gas and ash drifting southwest. Weather: An upper low is expected to bring pockets of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms Friday into the weekend, especially windward and mauka. Pearl Harbor Scrutiny: New reporting says FBI Director Kash Patel took a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona during a Hawaii trip—an outing the FBI didn’t disclose. Tourism & Travel: IHG says its Americas pipeline grew in Q1, while TheBus adds extra service for UH Mānoa graduation. Ocean Safety: A 30-year-old Oklahoma man died after being pulled from Moloa’a Beach on Kauaʻi.

Monk Seal Case: A Covington, Washington tourist accused of throwing a coconut-sized rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal “Lani” in Lahaina was arrested and is headed to U.S. District Court in Seattle, after federal prosecutors charged him with harassing a protected animal—an incident that went viral when he allegedly bragged he was “rich enough to pay the fines.” Disney & Travel Buzz: Disney also dropped fresh details for EPCOT’s “Soarin’ Across America,” adding new U.S. locations—including the shores of the Hawaiian islands—when the film debuts May 26. Community Remembrance: Maui residents can write messages for the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii remembrance event May 16 at Maui Mall Village, with lanterns later carried to Oahu for the May 25 ceremony. Weather Watch: Trade showers are expected to ramp up Friday into the weekend, with heavier rain likely for windward areas and higher elevations. Tourism Context: Hawaii’s Japan ties get a new economic spotlight, with a state report highlighting visitor spending and other partnership opportunities.

Monsoon-leaning weekend weather: Breezy trade winds keep spring conditions going through Thursday, but an upper-level disturbance plus deeper tropical moisture should make Friday into Saturday more unsettled, with muggier air, more widespread trade-wind showers, and pockets of heavier rain—especially windward slopes and mountains—plus rough east-shore conditions for beach and boat plans. Monk seal crackdown: A Washington man, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, was arrested by federal agents after a video showed him throwing a coconut-sized rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal “Lani” near Maui; he faces federal charges for harassing a protected animal. Transit for graduation: Honolulu’s TheBus will run a special “U Line” Saturday, May 16, to serve UH Manoa commencements, with extra trips from Ahua Lagoon Drive Skyline Station. Air travel shake-up: Alaska Airlines adds a new Honolulu–California summer nonstop (Hollywood Burbank) running through Aug. 18, and Lānaʻi Air says it will start daily Molokai–Honolulu flights this summer. Tourism support: HTA opens applications for its 2026 Community Tourism Collaboratives for Maui nonprofits and businesses, with a June 8 deadline.

Maui Budget Crunch: The Maui County Council is set to weigh a $1.6 billion budget Friday, after a committee trimmed Mayor Richard Bissen’s capital projects by about $20 million while boosting day-to-day operations by about $11.6 million—an effort to balance priorities amid wildfire and storm fallout. Neighbor-Island Shipping Costs: Lawmakers are paving the way for regular Young Brothers rate hikes, with a bill that could trigger automatic inflation-linked increases starting July 1. Tourism Rules Under Review: On Hawaiʻi Island, a Kona community committee backed testimony urging changes to a county measure that would expand short-term vacation rental limits and enforcement. Wildlife & Visitor Conduct: A monk seal rock-throwing incident is still driving calls for tougher tourism-facing consequences, including state tourism PSAs. Ocean Fun, Updated: Kona Offshore Adventures says it’s refreshing its small-group ocean experiences on the Kona Coast. Safety Watch: Search efforts for a missing swimmer off Kaanapali have been suspended.

Maui Safety Push: The Maui Police Department added 21 new Crisis Intervention Team members after completing a 40-hour certification, aiming to de-escalate mental-health and emotional crises before they turn dangerous. Search Update: The U.S. Coast Guard and Maui County have suspended the search for a 75-year-old swimmer missing off Kaanapali Beach, after days of searching across hundreds of square miles. Tourism Watch: Oahu’s Ocean Safety posted shark warning signs at Kahe Point/Electric Beach after two non-aggressive sharks were spotted near the flumes. Visitor Planning: Honolulu officials launched “Crush the 2026 Graduation Rush” to reduce traffic and improve safety as about 12,000 students and families head to major venues. Japan Demand: A new state report urges rebuilding Japanese visitor demand beyond Waikīkī, with Maui highlighted as a key opportunity. Sports Spotlight: UH men’s volleyball returned with the NCAA championship trophy, celebrating a “best week ever” homecoming.

Hawaiʻi Flood Relief Push: Lawmakers and community leaders are keeping pressure on after March’s Kona Low storms, with Hawaii News Now launching “ALOHA for HAWAII,” a live fundraising drive starting May 12 (6 a.m. HST) to support ongoing flood recovery, including agricultural losses and infrastructure repairs. Visitor-Industry Community Wins: Maui’s 47th Charity Walk is already at a record-setting $1.62M raised for 74 nonprofits, with more donations accepted through May 31. Air Travel Reality Check: A new report ranks Hawaiian Airlines best for summer delays and cancellations, while a separate HawaiiNewsNow story flags a “standby” fee scare tied to a wheelchair-access call—then the charge was reportedly canceled. Safety & Travel Alerts: The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing snorkeler off Maui. Sports Spotlight: UH men’s volleyball just capped a historic season with its third national title, beating UC Irvine in the NCAA championship.

Monk Seal Fallout: A Seattle tourist accused of hurling a rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal “Lani” near Lahaina is now facing a federal probe, with authorities referring the case to NOAA for possible Marine Mammal Protection Act charges—after video showed him dismissing warnings and boasting “I’m rich.” Tourism & Hospitality: Honolulu’s Pagoda Hotel has reopened after a $9.9 million renovation, bringing back its koi pond and refreshed rooms. Interisland Tech Push: Hawaii lawmakers backed a bill to speed approval for an experimental REGENT seaglider, aiming to streamline its path to operate in Hawaii. Road Safety: On Hawaiʻi Island, a Waimea man died after being struck while changing a tire on Kawaihae Road; on Oʻahu, a 93-year-old was critically hurt in a wrong-way crash on the Moanalua Freeway off-ramp. Community Relief: Hawaii News Now launched “ALOHA for HAWAIʻI,” a May 12 flood-relief fundraiser supporting ongoing recovery.