AGP Executive Report

Tropical Storm Nolo Disrupts Hawaii Travel: DLNR says all state parks, camping, forest reserves, Nā Ala Hele hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural area reserves will close on Hawai‘i Island (starting Sept. 24) and on Maui and Moloka‘i (starting Sept. 25), with camping permits suspended and refunds offered; Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is also tightening access, with backcountry trails and campgrounds closing by 5 p.m. Sept. 24 and other areas shutting by 5 p.m., while lodging stays open only for registered guests who must shelter in place. Kaua‘i Recovery Still Affects Visitors: Hurricane Lowell left thousands without power and damaged oceanfront resorts and infrastructure, and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority urged travelers to postpone or adjust plans to support the broader visitor economy while Kaua‘i rebuilds. Honolulu Tourism Industry Calendar: AHICE Aloha returns Sept. 29 at Outrigger Reef Waikiki with hotel leaders, panels, and a gala networking event. Local Dining Update: Side Street Inn reopens in Waikīkī (Beach Walk), with a full menu and BYOB until its liquor license arrives. Holiday Shipping Tip: USPS recommends earlier mailing for Hawaii/Alaska to beat Dec. 25 delivery dates.

Tropical Storm Nolo: Hawaiʻi is bracing for severe weather as Nolo strengthens toward a hurricane, with a flood watch through Saturday and a hurricane watch for Hawaiʻi Island. Statewide travel impacts: Gov. Josh Green ordered closures of state offices, public schools, and UH campuses on Hawaiʻi Island starting Thursday, expanding to Maui County Friday; refuge shelters are opening and officials urge residents and visitors to avoid forested/coastal areas and unnecessary travel. DLNR closures: All state parks, camping, forest reserves, Nā Ala Hele trails, and other DLNR lands on Hawaiʻi Island (starting Sept. 24) and Maui/Molokaʻi (starting Sept. 25) are closed; camping permits are suspended and missed camping nights will be refunded/credited. Kokua Line—REAL ID at TSA: TSA says if a Hawaii REAL ID won’t scan, officers will manually verify and travelers won’t be charged the $45 ConfirmID fee; TSA advises checking Hawaii DOT guidance. Isaac Hale Beach Park draft EA: Hawaiʻi County released a draft environmental assessment to restore and improve the lava-damaged Isaac Kepoʻokalani Hale Beach Park in lower Puna, with public comments invited.

Visitor Industry: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is bringing leaders to Oʻahu for the Visitor Industry Conference, with sessions on lodging, workforce, AI, crisis management, and destination strategy at Hilton Hawaiian Village (Sept. 24–25). Volcano Watch: Kīlauea’s monitoring is changing—Hawaiian Volcano Observatory warns Episode 55 could start within about a day, and the usual seismic alert signal may not fire first, a key update for residents and park visitors. Travel Weather: Hurricane Polo remains a major threat to Mexico’s Pacific coast, with warnings and watches in effect—important for travelers planning routes through the region. Honolulu Events & Food: HoMA’s Chuseok weekend (film, music, and Korean food) and Waikīkī’s dining promos like October Restaurant Week keep culture and local bites front and center. Oʻahu Dining: Avolta is set to expand food and beverage options across three Hawaii airports, aiming to upgrade what travelers grab between flights. Road Safety: Hawaii Island police identified a man killed in an Ocean View crash, underscoring ongoing traffic risks for visitors and locals.

Canoe Racing Cancelled: The Oʻahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association has canceled the 2026 Nā Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokaʻi’s Kulāia Hoʻolaulea after forecasts pointed to potentially severe wind and ocean conditions, prioritizing safety for paddlers, escort crews, and Molokaʻi’s limited emergency resources. Storm Recovery Watch: In Na‘alehu, recovery after Hurricane Lala is slowly taking shape—stores reopening and people returning to work—but housing needs remain the biggest hurdle for residents still displaced and commuting from Kona. Tourism & Community Fundraising: T S Restaurants is running a Hawaii Foodbank fundraiser Sept. 25–28, with participating restaurants matching guest donations up to $50 to help fight food insecurity statewide. Travel Tech Trend: A Qualcomm exec says “agentic AI” is moving from hype to everyday use—potentially letting travelers book and plan without juggling multiple apps. Airline Route News: Qantas confirmed non-stop Sydney–New York flights starting mid-2028 as part of Project Sunrise, with tickets expected to go on sale in August 2027. Local Hospitality Event: AHICE Aloha returns to Honolulu Sept. 29 for a hotel industry conference and exhibition featuring global speakers and panels on Hawaii’s accommodation sector.

Airport Dining Upgrade: Avolta is partnering with Hawaiʻi DOT to roll out new food & beverage concepts at Daniel K. Inouye International, Līhuʻe, and Kahului—featuring local brands and chef Alan Wong. Community & Safety: Oʻahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association cancels the 2026 Na Wahine O Ke Kai and Molokai Canoe Festival Kulaia Hoolaulea due to developing tropical weather and safety impacts. Local News for Visitors: Hawaiʻi police identified a man killed in an Ocean View traffic collision; the investigation is ongoing. Infrastructure Watch: Hawaiʻi County reports an electrical failure caused a discharge of about 71,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater in Hilo, with shoreline warning signs and daily sampling. Sports & Tourism Buzz: Bank of Hawaiʻi and UH extend naming rights for Bankoh Arena through 2037. Housing/Recovery Friction: Lahaina wildfire rebuilds face a new snag as USPS won’t deliver to rebuilt-home mailboxes, leaving them empty. Women in Tourism: Hawaiʻi Women in Lodging & Tourism launches “Wāhine in Balance” on Maui (Oct. 8), with registration open through Sept. 24.

Hurricane recovery & visitor sensitivity: Kau District residents are still rebuilding after Hurricane Lala, with Naalehu’s resilience hub reporting progress but major gaps—especially housing and the added costs of commuting and temporary lodging. Tourism culture clash: A letter from Kaimuki calls out tourists treating storm-hit areas like sightseeing stops, urging airlines and hotels to be blunt about devastation and focus on victims, not just “not the time to visit.” Kaua‘i access update: DLNR announced limited reopening of select Kaua‘i lands Monday at 6:30 a.m., with specific access restrictions at Fern Grotto. Foster care housing: DHS launched “Keiki Now,” an 18-bed O‘ahu program to keep high-needs foster kids out of offices and hotels. Safety at the beach: Lifeguards revived an unresponsive man at Ma‘ili Beach Park after CPR, reminding visitors to swim near lifeguards. Travel industry momentum: Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania’s mini-series for travel advisors hit its halfway mark, with a gift hamper and $100 card draws. Connectivity: Fiji Airways reinstated direct Nadi–Nouméa flights twice weekly, boosting Pacific links including Honolulu.

Pacific Air Connectivity: Fiji Airways is bringing back direct Nadi–Nouméa flights twice weekly (Tuesdays/Fridays), adding 10,000+ seats a year and enabling onward connections through Fiji to places including Honolulu, Sydney, Auckland, and North America. Oʻahu Beach Safety: Honolulu lifeguards revived an unresponsive man at Ma’ili Beach Park with CPR; he regained consciousness and was transferred to EMS. Honolulu Sewage Spill: Tropical Storm Lala overwhelmed Sand Island systems, sending an estimated 25.45 million gallons into Honolulu Harbor via storm drains, prompting public-health guidance. Tourism & Travel Policy Watch: A Kailua Neighborhood Board challenge argues Honolulu landfill site options conflict with Hawaii’s Act 73 siting rules, potentially affecting the city’s search for a Waimanalo Gulch successor. Air Travel Friction: TSA reports Real ID scanning problems tied to a production irregularity, with Hawaii-issued IDs among those failing at checkpoints nationwide. Hotel Tech Shift: A $7.5M push aims to replace hotel management coordination with agentic AI, targeting active control of its first properties before year-end.

Tourism & Transit: Skyline’s event gave blind and visually impaired riders hands-on practice with stations, elevators, tactile maps, and HOLO cards—showing how accessible transit can build confidence. Local Governance: Honolulu’s dog-control push gets a boost as the city considers higher fines and stronger enforcement tools to tackle rising stray-dog problems. Health & Safety: Honolulu lifeguards revived an unresponsive Waikiki swimmer using an AED, while police investigate a serious Waianae hit-and-run that left a helmetless motorcyclist in critical condition. Environment & Infrastructure: Heavy rain again overwhelmed Honolulu’s sewage system, spilling about 26 million gallons into Honolulu Harbor after treatment screens clogged. Housing Costs: Waikīkī co-op residents face sharp fee hikes and special assessments, highlighting how maintenance costs can hit homeowners hard. Travel Disruptions: Typhoon Dujuan is complicating flights to Japan for Hawaii travelers, and Hōkūleʻa’s Moananuiākea Voyage pauses in New Zealand weather. Interisland Travel: Maui County outlines plans for a county-run ferry to Lāna‘i and a return of service to Moloka‘i.

Interisland Ferry Update: Maui County is moving ahead with a publicly operated ferry plan to restore Lāna‘i service and bring back Moloka‘i routes, aiming for cheaper fares and expanded options as rebuilding continues. Tourism After Storms: Hawai‘i Tourism Authority urges Kauai-bound travelers to reschedule or consider other islands following Hurricane Lowell, while lodging leaders say visitors shouldn’t cancel if accommodations are open. Safety on O‘ahu Beaches: Honolulu lifeguards revived an unresponsive swimmer in Waikiki using an AED before EMS took over. Road Safety Watch: Police seek a hit-and-run driver after a helmetless motorcyclist was seriously injured in Waianae; investigators are asking for tips. Workforce & AI: Hawaii leaders meet Sept. 23 for the Future of Work 2027 conference to prepare workers for AI-driven shifts, with tourism’s ripple effects across the economy in focus. Transit Accessibility: Skyline hosted a White Cane Refresher event for blind and visually impaired riders to practice station navigation and boarding with confidence. Weather: Trade winds stay breezy with choppy surf; showers and heavier rain chances build midweek.

Hurricane Lowell recovery: DLNR is slowly reopening select Kauai lands at 6:30 a.m. Monday, but key areas remain closed—Fern Grotto has strict limits (no individual kayakers; hiking past trailhead prohibited), Uluwehi Falls stays shut, and Nā Ala Hele trails are still closed with crossings damaged and water levels high. Air travel capacity: Canada-to-Hawaii service is tightening as WestJet cuts about a third of flights to Honolulu, shrinking September capacity by 22%—a heads-up for winter travelers booking early. Tourism rules still tangled: Hawaii County again deferred Bill 147, delaying efforts to simplify vacation rental rules; the next committee hearing is set for Oct. 6. Safety on the road: Police say reckless driving persists on Saddle Road despite enforcement—June stops found heavy speeding and other violations, with traffic fatalities up on Hawaii Island. Visitor logistics snag: TSA screening machines are reportedly rejecting some newly issued Hawaii driver’s licenses, forcing travelers to use passports as backup. Wildlife concern: DLNR is investigating the dumping of about seven dead juvenile hammerhead sharks near the Hawaii Kai bridge. Local transit/roads: A federal highway official will tour Oahu and Maui projects next week, including H-3 ramp work and Maui’s Honoapiilani Highway improvements. Aviation oddities: A roundup highlights bizarre aviation incidents, including the infamous Aloha Airlines midair cabin roof failure.

Air Travel Update: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are tightening interisland check-in rules starting Oct. 3 (online check-in via the Alaska Hawaiian app, bags dropped 50 minutes before departure) and adding Alaska-branded Boeing 737-800 flights on three daily Honolulu–Kahului round trips to boost capacity and reliability as the 717 fleet is set to retire in 2028. Public Health: California health officials warned of a measles exposure tied to an unvaccinated Amtrak passenger who traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles by train, then moved through multiple California counties before hospitalization—urging vaccination. Local Infrastructure: Federal Highway Administration Administrator Sean McMaster will visit Oahu and Maui next week to review highway projects, including H-1 and H-3 work and the Honoapiilani Highway improvements contract/grant signing. Maui Community: A free “Mele for Maui” concert at the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows Saturday will feature the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and local artists, with pre-concert artisan market starting at 4 p.m. Tourism & Culture: Surfing Heritage and Culture Center reopens in Laguna Beach in a new location, highlighting its major surf history collection. Weather: Honolulu faces a breezy, mostly drier weekend with trade winds; showers increase Tuesday into midweek. Hawaiʻi Economy: DBEDT forecasts slower growth this year as inflation rises and fewer tourist days hit the islands.

Vacation Rentals: Hawaii County again deferred a bill that would “housekeep” and simplify vacation rental rules, including clarifying short-term rental definitions, expanding where rentals are allowed, setting management standards and fines, and creating an enforcement fund. Air Travel: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are tightening interisland check-in rules (online check-in via the Alaska Hawaiian app; checked bags 50 minutes before departure) and adding Boeing 737-800 service on three daily Honolulu–Kahului round trips starting Oct. 3. Power & Cost of Living: The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission will hold statewide hearings starting Sept. 22 on Hawaiian Electric’s proposed rate rebasing that could raise typical monthly bills beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Maui Culture: A free “Mele for Maui” community concert at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) will feature the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra and major Hawaiian artists. Ocean Safety/Environment: Green fluorescent dye testing confirmed a wastewater connection between Pūpūkea Beach Park restrooms and Sharks Cove tidepools, with follow-up water quality checks underway. Tourism After Storms: A single mother in Haena says Hurricane Lowell left her home unsafe and her vacation-rental cleaning work on hold as she waits on repairs.

Hawaiʻi Scam Watch: DBEDT and the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority warn residents about fraudulent mailers using HGIA’s name to push “home warranty” and “mortgage protection” scams with fake urgent deadlines and scam phone numbers. Molokaʻi Power & Safety: Hawaiian Electric begins wildfire-risk grid hardening on East Kamehameha V Highway (Oct. 3–8), replacing 8 miles of copper lines with aluminum conductors and upgrading 27 poles, with planned outages. Kauaʻi Tourism After Storm: As Hurricane Lowell recovery continues, Kauaʻi small businesses say calls for tourists to “stay away” are hurting demand—some are laying off staff and closing trucks—while locals ask visitors to return with patience. Air Travel Friction: A JetBlue passenger says a surfboard was rejected at JFK and had to be thrown away, highlighting the need to check sports-gear rules before flying. Honolulu Events: The Hawaiʻi Pacific Health ESPN Honolulu Open returns Oct. 8–11 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, with pickleball pros, a collegiate invitational, and a new kids division. Coral Reef Alarm: Jason Momoa flags worsening coral bleaching and warns Hawaiʻi’s reefs face major long-term risk as heatwaves intensify.

Tourism & Spending: Hawaiʻi’s visitor numbers are down versus last year, but per-person spending is up—raising the question of whether the “high-value” shift is real or just inflation, and whether the islands should be priced for only higher-income travelers. Oʻahu Energy Costs: Hawaiian Electric’s Oʻahu public hearing is set for Oct. 2 as the PUC reviews a rebasing request that could raise typical monthly bills by about $11 on Oʻahu. Kauaʻi Recovery & Travel Disruption: After Hurricane Lowell, Kauaʻi small businesses say fewer visitors are hurting cash flow, while some travelers are fighting for refunds on canceled trips and rentals. Local Enforcement: Honolulu City Council advances higher fines for unlawful peddling in public places, aiming to deter repeat violations. Maui Military Telescope Anxiety: Maui residents await the federal response after months of opposition to adding up to seven telescopes on Haleakalā. Volcano Watch: Kīlauea remains WATCH at Volcano Alert Level with predictability shifting for visitors planning around possible fountaining. On-Island Access: PMRF guest pass recreation access has reopened in limited form after Lowell.

Honolulu Local Culture: A four-day Honolulu celebration is spotlighting Pacific designers, artists, and industry leaders at Kaimana Beach Hotel, with runway events, talks, and shopping through Sunday. Hawai‘i Travel Safety: Police in Ewa Beach arrested a 12-year-old after an alleged firearm threat toward a 13-year-old; no injuries were reported, and the case is pending investigation. Airport Experience Watch: Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) jumped to 11th in a 2026 airport satisfaction study after major upgrades, while Honolulu International landed at the bottom in the “large airports” group. Hawai‘i Weather Alert: A Flood Advisory is in effect for windward Kaʻū, with a Flood Watch continuing statewide as remnant moisture brings heavy showers and a slight thunderstorm risk. Southwest Lounge News: Southwest plans its first airport lounges, including Honolulu, with openings targeted for late 2027. Kaua‘i Recovery & Tourism: O‘ahu communications staff helped Kaua‘i recovery messaging after Hurricane Lowell, as the island continues cleanup and power restoration. Travel Deals: A roundup of winter vacation math compares DIY vs all-inclusive pricing for popular destinations.

Kauaʻi Hurricane Lowell Recovery: Kauaʻi officials are urging visitors to avoid the North Shore, calling it an “active disaster zone” as power restoration and cleanup continue after storm damage. Tourism Impact: Local businesses say the tourism slowdown is hitting hard—some Kauaʻi operators report sales down about 70% and forced layoffs as ports and cargo disruptions affect supplies. Visitor Guidance: The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is weighing cautious messaging, with no clear reopening timeline for affected communities yet. Cruise Changes: Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess will skip Kauaʻi on a Sept. 17 sailing, rerouting to Honolulu overnight as Nawiliwili Harbor remains closed to cruise ships. Safety & Relief: The American Red Cross is shifting from shelters to longer-term recovery and is asking for volunteers as some areas remain hard to reach. Local Travel Tech: Honolulu’s law enforcement unveiled Hawaii’s first permanent drone “hive” for faster aerial views during emergencies. Outdoor Incident: A woman in her 70s was airlifted after collapsing on the Diamond Head crater trail. New Local Eats: Hu Guaiya Minipancakes opened a brick-and-mortar spot at CHamoru Village, adding malasadas and extending hours for visitors.