AGP Executive Report

Hurricane recovery & public health: Gov. Josh Green asked the White House for a presidential emergency declaration after Hurricane Lala, seeking federal help to protect public health and safety and keep essential services running as communities rebuild. Local safety & mental health: Maui County is marking Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month with trainings and sign-waving events across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Hawaii health & environment: UH researchers report tangled plastic and fishing gear in stranded short-finned pilot whales, underscoring the health impacts of marine debris. Care access & wait times: New CMS data finds U.S. emergency department wait times average 2.27% of patients leaving before being seen, with Hawaii listed at about 1 hour 54 minutes. Infectious disease watch: Pennsylvania reported the first U.S. measles deaths in 35 years as national cases surge. Maternal health costs: A new cost analysis ranks Louisiana among the cheapest places to give birth, highlighting how insurance and network status can swing out-of-pocket costs. Community health after storms: Food distributions and assistance for families impacted by Lala continue as power and water restoration work goes on.

Hurricane Lala Recovery (Ka‘u): Ka‘u coffee growers say flooding and wind damage from Lala has left major farm areas with trees down and roads wiped out, threatening this year’s harvest. Power & Health Access (Hilo): Waiakea Villas in Hilo remains without electricity for more than 10 days after transformer trouble, leaving kūpuna struggling to keep insulin, food, and medical devices running. Water Safety (Big Island): Hawaiʻi County water officials report incremental restoration efforts in Naʻalehu/Waiohinu and keep a precautionary boil-water notice in place while repairs continue. Family Support (Baby supplies): The state’s Parent Line is coordinating replacement help for car seats, breast pumps, cribs, and other essentials lost in Lala, plus prescription refill support. Suicide Prevention Month (Statewide): Hawaiʻi marks September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month with statewide partner events and gatekeeper training. Investigation (Waikiki death): Honolulu police are investigating the death of Southwest flight attendant Jenny Lupton after she was found near a Waikiki hotel; her family disputes suicide and says the timeline doesn’t add up. Community Food Relief: Hawaiʻi Foodbank is ramping up distributions statewide after Lala and Moke, with added local funding to meet demand.

Local Public Safety: Honolulu police are investigating the death of 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant Jenny Lupton, found after a reported fall from the 24th floor of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki; her family disputes suicide and says authorities have shared limited details while investigators review area cameras. Injury Prevention: A 6-year-old boy is in serious condition after an e-bike crash in Waipahu; EMS says both riders were unhelmeted when the bike lost control and both fell. Community Health & Research: The University of Hawaiʻi announced $647.3 million in FY 2026 extramural funding, its second-highest record and fifth straight year topping $500 million. Health Policy: Lawmakers are urging Hawaii’s Medicaid system to protect people during disaster recovery, including calls to suspend terminations when paperwork and renewals are disrupted. Food Security Support: The Salvation Army says it served thousands of meals and snacks across Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island during Hurricane Lala recovery, with home-delivered meals for people unable to travel. Child Safety: Police report a 3-year-old girl was critically injured in Mountain View after a pickup truck rolled back in a driveway and struck her. Workforce Snapshot: Hawaiʻi’s July unemployment rate held at 2.7%, with job changes including gains in leisure & hospitality and private education/health services.

Storm Safety & Public Health: Tropical Storm Moke is moving past Hawaii with Big Island rainfall risks still high after Hurricane Lala, prompting flood-watch warnings and shelter guidance as officials urge residents to stay off roads and prepare for outages and hazardous conditions. Hurricane Lala Recovery (Water): Water service is restored for many Hawaiʻi County customers, but severe line damage and power outages continue in Kaʻū, Nāʻālehu, Pāhala, Upper Mountain View, Kaloko Mauka and Hawi, with generator-backed supply, tankers, and a precautionary boil-water notice for parts of Nāʻālehu. Food Access for Families: HIDOE will distribute free weekly shelf-stable meal boxes for Kaʻū keiki (5 breakfasts/5 lunches) starting Aug. 26–27 at Pahala, Naʻalehu and Ocean View sites. Community Care & Breastfeeding Support: A local breastfeeding awareness push highlights how families and partners can expand support and resources for new parents. Local Health & Wellness Spotlight: Hawaiian Eye Center marks Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, urging regular eye exams and simple daily habits to protect kids’ vision. Naʻalehu Burial Guidance: HIEMA advises the public on what to do if they find washed-away remains—stop, don’t touch, protect the area, notify authorities, and document without sharing details publicly. Health-Related Crime & Safety: Honolulu police opened attempted murder and stabbing investigations, while EMS reports multiple serious traffic injuries across Oʻahu.

Storm Safety & Public Health: Hawaii DOH chief Dr. Diana Felton warned residents to prevent injuries, avoid floodwater contamination, reduce mold-related respiratory risks, and guard against carbon monoxide from generators—plus keep meds accessible and charge devices ahead of Tropical Storm Moke. Moke Forecast: Moke is passing south of the Big Island with a Flood Watch through Monday; heavy rain (5–10 inches, up to 15) and gusty winds raise risks of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas still recovering from Hurricane Lala. School Meals in Kaʻū: HIDOE will distribute free weekly shelf-stable meal boxes (5 breakfasts/5 lunches) for keiki 18 and under at sites in Pahala, Naʻalehu, and Ocean View starting Aug. 26–27. Addiction Safety: DOH says fentanyl-laced cocaine may be circulating in Honolulu; officials urge assuming fentanyl is present, using fentanyl test strips, carrying naloxone, and calling 911 immediately for overdoses. Vision for Kids: Hawaiian Eye Center marks Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month with reminders to watch for warning signs and schedule regular comprehensive eye exams. Community Health After Lala: Hawaii County and partners are coordinating recovery efforts for displaced burials at Naalehu Cemetery as storm floodwaters unearthed remains. Injury Alerts: Police report a 3-year-old critically injured in Mountain View after a pickup rolled back into her, and a separate I-5 crash involving a WA trooper left one dead and three injured.

Tropical Storm Moke Response: Hawaii is bracing for another round of heavy rain and strong gusts as Moke moves toward the Big Island, with 5–10 inches possible (up to 15 in spots) and a flood watch in effect—especially for windward and southeast areas still recovering from Hurricane Lala. Shelter Updates (Big Island): County of Hawaiʻi says emergency shelters will open at 8 p.m. Saturday, with hot showers at Robert N. Herkes Gym and pet-friendly rules (pets in carriers). Disaster Preparedness: State leaders are pushing for federal help after Lala, with Gov. Josh Green signing a request for a presidential emergency declaration covering Hawaiʻi, Maui and Honolulu to protect public health and keep essential services running. Public Health Alert (Substance Safety): DOH warns of fentanyl-laced cocaine circulating in Honolulu, urging people to assume fentanyl is present, carry naloxone, and use fentanyl test strips. Injury & Safety: A 16-year-old was hospitalized after a car hit a tree near Ala Moana, and a 3-year-old was critically injured in Mountain View when a pickup rolled back into her driveway. Community Care (Kaʻū): Hawaii Island Community Health Center is working to restore access to care in Kaʻū after flood damage left its facility without power and unsafe for patients.

Hurricane Lala recovery and health access: Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center says its Kaʻū Health and Dental Center is still unsafe after flooding and remains without power, but the team is pushing to restore direct care access before the site can reopen. Storm response wrap-up: The Hawaiʻi National Guard has ended Kauaʻi and Oʻahu operations after Tropical Cyclone Lala, while active recovery continues in Hawaiʻi County and Maui. Next weather threat: Tropical Storm Moke is forming and is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds—especially for the Big Island’s windward and southeast areas—on top of Lala’s damage. Power frustration: Hawaiian Electric reports thousands still without electricity on Hawaiʻi Island, and residents are demanding clearer timelines and better updates. Mental health support after disasters: DOH launched Project Ho‘oulu, a free resiliency program with trained crisis counselors to help people cope with post-disaster stress and connect them to local resources. Public health watch: CDC says cyclospora cases are still rising but the pace is slowing, with thousands of confirmed infections across many states. Local community care: Hawaiʻi County is offering hot showers and device charging sites for Lala-impacted residents, plus ongoing water guidance.

Hurricane Lala recovery (Hawaiʻi Island): Hawaiʻi County says hot showers and phone charging stations are now available for Kaʻū residents, while health officials urge people to stay out of flood waters and standing water due to possible health risks. Disaster health & safety: The county and partners are coordinating supply distribution, and water service updates include boil-water guidance for affected areas. Next storm watch: Tropical Storm Moke has formed and is expected to bring another round of heavy rain and wind, with the Big Island likely to see the worst impacts as residents are still recovering from Lala. Privacy & health-adjacent policy: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from accessing sensitive personal data tied to more than 17 million commercial drivers, a move framed by state AGs as protecting privacy. Community care for severe weather: Oʻahu first responders are warning homeless residents ahead of incoming storms, emphasizing that flash flooding and response delays can trap people under bridges and near flood-prone areas.

Disaster Preparedness: Rep. Jill Tokuda toured Na‘alehu after Hurricane Lala, pointing to debris-blocked roads, flooded school damage, and the need to rethink how Hawaii prepares and recovers. Storm Watch: Officials warn another tropical system could bring heavy rain and flooding risk to Hawaii Island soon, with saturated ground raising stakes. Public Health & Safety: Hawaii DOH urged precautions after Lala, while the CDC reported Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates dropped across the board for 2025-26, reversing prior gains and raising measles and other risks. Hurricane Recovery (Kaʻū): Hawaii County and partners are coordinating burial recovery after Lala flooding, with experts documenting displaced remains with cultural practitioners and health officials. Reef Resilience: Lala triggered the first coral insurance payout—$200,000—to help assess and repair damaged reefs. Privacy & Health Data: Virginia AG Jay Jones blocked a Trump administration push for CDL drivers’ personal data, a win for protecting sensitive records. COVID Update: CDC wastewater data shows COVID-19 activity rising in all 50 states, including moderate levels in Hawaii.

Hurricane Lala recovery (Kaʻū burials): Hawaii County and partner agencies are working to recover and protect displaced burials at Naʻalehu Cemetery after floodwaters uprooted remains; the Hawaiʻi National Guard has documented 69 sets of human remains, with cultural practitioners and health officials guiding the process. Storm preparedness (new system): State and weather officials say Tropical Depression Two-C could strengthen into Tropical Storm Moke and bring heavy rain and flash-flood risk to already-saturated parts of Hawaiʻi Island and East Maui—residents are urged to prepare now. Public health (school vaccines): CDC data show Hawaiʻi kindergarten vaccination rates fell for 2025–2026, reversing prior gains, while religious exemptions rose. Food safety (cyclosporiasis): CDC reports cyclospora cases are still climbing but trending downward overall, with thousands of infections confirmed across 47 states; officials continue to urge caution with implicated foods. Local health support (Lala food aid): Honolulu is funding and coordinating additional food distributions with Hawaiʻi Foodbank, including scheduled pickup sites and hot-meal plans. Injury/health access (Kaimuki closure): A portion of 11th Avenue in Kaimuki remains closed after a partial roof/ceiling collapse at a Chinese restaurant sent four women to care and raised structural safety concerns.

Hawaiʻi Public Health: CDC SchoolVax data shows Hawaiʻi kindergartener vaccination rates dipped for 2025-2026, reversing a prior improvement streak, while religious exemptions rose to 6.0% (from 5.5%). Disaster Nutrition Access: After Tropical Cyclone Lala, Hawaiʻi DHS won a statewide SNAP waiver extending the food-loss replacement request deadline through Sept. 3, giving families more time to submit statements. Foodborne Illness Watch: National cyclosporiasis updates say confirmed cases are still climbing but the overall trend is easing, with lettuce-linked outbreaks still driving risk. Storm Safety Guidance: DOH reiterates precautions after Lala—avoid brown water, discard flood-affected food, and protect against bacteria exposure during cleanup. Community & Care: Berkeley Humane’s Aloha Dog Project will welcome its 125th Hawaii dog, “Moke,” highlighting ongoing medical care and adoption support. Local Incident: A Kaimuki restaurant roof collapse injured four older women; authorities are investigating the cause.

Hurricane Lala Health Response: Hawaiʻi Island is still working through storm fallout, with backup generators being flown in to keep 911 and hospitals running as power remains spotty for thousands. Community Aid: OHA reports an emergency helicopter delivery of about 1,500 pounds of water, food, fuel, hygiene items, diapers, and cleaning supplies to remote Kaʻū areas cut off by damaged bridges and landslides. Food Safety Alert: DOH issued a recall for Dreyer’s Outshine Fruit Bars (including 6-count and 24-count variety packs) due to possible glass contamination; shoppers should check batch codes and UPCs and stop eating affected products. Restaurant Reopening: HI SHACK (772 TXS) in Waikīkī was cleared to reopen after a follow-up inspection found corrected temperature control, accessible handwashing, and proper hot-holding. Public Health Watch: CDC data show cyclosporiasis cases trending down nationally, but Hawaii is still on alert after confirming additional travel-related cases. Local Safety: After storm damage, Honolulu fire and EMS are warning hikers to avoid muddy, swollen trails for days and to turn back if conditions feel unsafe.

Hurricane Lala recovery (Hawaiʻi County): Hawaiʻi County says restoring access to Highway 11—especially the Kaʻū side—remains the top priority after mud, debris, and damage cut off communities; as of Tuesday afternoon, the county logged 263 residential and 18 commercial damage reports, while Hawaiian Electric reported about 24,000 Big Island customers still without power. Public health (cyclosporiasis): The Hawaiʻi Department of Health confirmed the state’s fifth cyclosporiasis case of 2026, involving a military member who traveled internationally and to another state; officials say the risk to the public remains low and are also investigating a low-level detection in Hilo wastewater. Cancer care locally: Hawaiʻi Pacific Health oncologist Dr. Stephanie Si Lim discusses CAR T-cell therapy as a new option for some patients, highlighting how immunotherapy can target specific cancer markers and may reduce some chemotherapy side effects. Women’s health & equity: WalletHub ranks Hawaiʻi No. 1 for women’s equality in 2026, ahead of Maryland and Alaska, using metrics like pay gaps and unemployment disparities. Community wellness: Koʻiʻula is inviting volunteers to restore the Lāʻie Wetlands on Aug. 22, aiming to improve water flow, protect native bird habitat, and reduce invasive vegetation.

Disaster Recovery & Food Safety: After Tropical Storm Lala, Hawaiʻi DOH is warning residents to toss perishable food that sat warm for 4–6 hours without power, while freezers can hold safe temps longer if kept closed; DOH also urged careful fridge/freezer checks and safe handling of flood-exposed canned goods. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: DOH confirmed a new travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu, bringing 2026 totals to seven; officials say local spread risk is low but emphasize eliminating standing water after Lala flooding. SNAP Relief: Hawaiʻi DHS says SNAP recipients can apply for replacement benefits for food lost to flooding or extended outages (four hours or longer), with a written statement due within 10 days. Local Health & Safety Incidents: Honolulu firefighters and EMS responded to a partial roof collapse at a Kaimuki Chinese restaurant; an elderly woman was hospitalized with lacerations, others had minor injuries. Environmental Health & Oceans: Earthjustice sued the U.S. over plans to auction seabed areas around American Samoa for deep-sea mining, arguing federal agencies must follow the Endangered Species Act and protect critical ocean habitat.

Tropical Storm Lala Recovery: Honolulu is set to resume normal operations Tuesday after storm-related closures, while Hawaiian Electric customers can file claims for Lala power outage losses (with deadlines and submission options) and the state DOH shared food-safety guidance for outages. Food Assistance: The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services announced SNAP replacement benefits for current recipients who lost SNAP-purchased food due to Lala-related power outages and flooding. Big Island Damage: New reporting highlights the scale of destruction in Kaʻū, including catastrophic impacts to communities like Nāʻālehu and the Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Public Health & Safety: DOH urged health precautions after Lala, and officials warned that hiking in severe weather conditions can put both hikers and first responders at risk. Local Health Care: A new home-based clinic, Rural Island Medical, is opening Sept. 1 to expand family medicine and diabetes-focused endocrine care. Injury Updates: A pedestrian was hospitalized after being struck by an HPD vehicle in Makiki, and an apparent stabbing on Kinau Street left a man in serious condition.

Hurricane Lala Health & Safety: Hawaiʻi Department of Health is urging residents to protect themselves after heavy rain, high winds and widespread power outages, including a statewide brown water advisory (stay out of discolored coastal waters/streams for 48–72 hours after rain ends), strict food-safety rules after outages, and floodwater precautions. Kaʻū Water Risk: Two rural Kaʻū water systems (Punaluʻu Water and Sanitation and Wood Valley Water and Farm Co-op) issued precautionary boil water notices after storm damage and pressure loss; customers should boil water for three minutes or use bottled/alternate sources. Local Recovery Operations: Honolulu is preparing to resume normal operations Tuesday, with city offices and services reopening as crews clear debris and repair hazards; the city also streamlined emergency repairs by allowing certain eligible work to start before permits and waived related permit fees. School Disruptions: HIDOE says most public schools will reopen Tuesday, but some Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island campuses remain closed due to ongoing health and safety and utility issues. Care for Vulnerable People: Reports from Oʻahu describe caregivers and medically vulnerable residents struggling without reliable power for essential equipment, while many families face isolation and difficulty accessing food, water and cell service. Storm Aftermath for Wildlife: Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center is asking people to watch for injured seabirds after Lala, with an influx of downed birds reported and rescue efforts complicated by road access. Emergency Response Reminder: Honolulu Fire Department and EMS warned hikers not to risk dangerous conditions during severe weather after a rescue at Makaua Hidden Garden Trail.