AGP Executive Report

Avian Flu Watch: Hawaiʻi health officials detected H5N1 in an East Kauaʻi wastewater sample, the first detection of this season’s bird-migration strain in the state. The finding does not confirm active infection or community spread; officials say public risk remains low, but advise poultry owners to strengthen biosecurity and residents to avoid raw milk. Water Safety: Heavy rain has prompted brown-water advisories statewide. Stay out of murky coastal waters, floodwater and freshwater streams, which may carry sewage, bacteria and other hazards. On Lānaʻi, a wastewater pipe leaked about 12,000 gallons near Mānele Bay, but officials say none reached state waters. Flu Season: Hawaiʻi is among the states reporting elevated flu activity, with cases rising unusually early and H1N1 prominent. Housing Support: Hawaiʻi Pacific Health awarded Family Promise of Hawaiʻi $100,000 for a program that advances security deposits for families facing housing insecurity, helping them move into permanent homes and repay the cost over time. Treatment and Reentry: Plans for a new Oʻahu jail include community-based treatment beds, as officials and reform advocates seek care options for people with mental illness or addiction.

Avian Flu Watch: Hawaiʻi’s Department of Health detected H5N1 in an East Kauaʻi wastewater sample—the first local detection of this season’s bird-migration strain. Officials say public risk remains low, no human-to-human spread has been reported, and local milk tests remain negative. Flu Season: U.S. flu hospitalizations are at their highest mid-October level since 2010–11, with H1N1 dominant; the early rise is a reminder for Hawaiʻi residents to stay alert. Local Food, Healthier Meals: Public schools are serving dishes made with ʻulu, kalo and other local crops. A related classroom program reached about 66,000 students across four islands last year. Care Workforce: UH Hilo is expanding its nursing program as Hawaiʻi works to address a shortage of nurses. Drug Treatment Priorities: A new report says methamphetamine causes far more deaths and treatment admissions in Hawaiʻi than opioids, yet the state has no comparable meth-focused initiative.

Drug Policy: Hawaiʻi has spent millions on opioid initiatives, but methamphetamine remains the state’s bigger drug challenge, causing more deaths and treatment admissions. A new report says Hawaiʻi still lacks a comparable statewide plan to address it. Flu Season: Flu is arriving early nationally, with hospitalizations at their highest mid-October level since 2010–11 and H1N1 dominant. Health Workforce: UH Hilo is expanding its nursing program as Hawaiʻi works to grow its own healthcare workforce, while a University of Hawaiʻi medical-school center mentors local students aiming to serve rural and Native Hawaiian communities. Emergency Care: Seven people were hospitalized after a head-on crash in Waikāne, including three with serious injuries.

Cancer Care: Dr. Shane Morita says waiting for scan and genetic-test results before operating helped shape treatment for Caroline Huff’s advanced stomach tumor. Health Workforce: UH Hilo is expanding its nursing program to help address Hawaiʻi’s shortage, while JABSOM’s Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence mentors local students pursuing medical careers. Coverage and Access: Sen. Mazie Hirono joined a probe into insurers’ role in ACA coverage terminations; a separate survey finds nearly half of AAPI women lack a reproductive health provider. Medical Advances: Queen’s Medical Center marked a milestone in a heart implant procedure, and the UH Cancer Center received a $2.5 million grant to expand cancer care statewide. Prevention: The state Department of Health is marking Lead Poisoning Prevention Week with a statewide campaign and webinar.

Heart Care: Queen’s Medical Center has completed Hawaiʻi’s first local left ventricular assist device implant, allowing patients with advanced heart failure to avoid traveling to the mainland for the procedure. Native Hawaiian Health: New genetic research links ancient Polynesian migrations to unusually strong founder effects, which may increase the prevalence of rare inherited disease variants among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific populations. Nursing Workforce: UH Hilo is expanding its nursing program, increasing enrollment and creating a direct-entry path for qualified Hawaiʻi high school graduates to help address statewide shortages. Child Safety: The state Department of Health is promoting lead testing for keiki and home checks for hazards, with a free educational webinar as part of its statewide prevention campaign. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help UH Cancer Center expand oncology care statewide. Access to Care: Hawaiʻi health centers are preparing for new Med-QUEST rules, while local advocates continue to flag barriers to care. Extreme Heat: Hawaiʻi is preparing kūpuna for dangerous heat, a growing concern for older residents.

Nursing Workforce: UH Hilo is expanding its nursing program to help ease Hawaiʻi’s shortage, increasing incoming students from 30 to 50 next year and reserving places for qualified local high school graduates. Child Health: The state Department of Health launched a lead-poisoning prevention campaign urging families to learn about exposure, test keiki and check their homes; it also offers a free webinar with a lead researcher. Care Access: MDX Hawaiʻi has chosen a technology partner to help coordinate health and quality data across its statewide network of about 1,000 primary care providers and 5,000 specialists. Reproductive Health: A survey of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women and gender-expansive people found nearly half lacked a reproductive health provider, highlighting gaps in access and information. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help UH Cancer Center expand oncology care statewide. Rural Health: Volcano residents are hopeful about plans for a local health clinic, while Hawaiʻi health centers are preparing for new Med-QUEST rules.

Local Research: A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study of 123 adults linked gut bacteria to biological aging rates, accounting for about 15% of variation. Researchers say the findings point to possible connections, not proof that microbes cause slower aging. Access to Care: Volcano residents may learn whether a rural clinic is feasible; more than 4,000 people, many over 60, live over 40 minutes from nearby medical facilities. Survivor Support: Child & Family Service assisted 1,936 domestic violence survivors through August, including 1,001 children. Advocates say housing costs and low incomes can make it harder to leave abuse and rebuild. Heat Safety: Hawaiʻi workshops are helping kūpuna and other at-risk residents prepare for extreme heat, which can trigger heatstroke. Outbreak Readiness: The CDC declined to validate a high-volume measles test sought by West Coast states, including Hawaiʻi. The agency counted 4,588 U.S. cases through Oct. 22. HIV Services: Hawaiʻi DOH named Peter Tuiolosega Silva, who has spent 30 years supporting people affected by HIV, as its 2026 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award recipient.

HIV Services: Hawai‘i DOH named Peter Tuiolosega Silva its 2026 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award recipient. The Kumukahi Health + Wellness CEO has spent 30 years expanding care, sexual health services and overdose prevention; he’ll be honored Dec. 1. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help the UH Cancer Center expand oncology care statewide. Environmental Health: A study says Navy pumping has not fully contained the Red Hill fuel leak. Separately, Maui residents affected by the fires have been found with elevated levels of toxic metals, renewing concerns about lingering health risks. Flu Watch: Flu activity is rising early on the West Coast, with October hospitalization rates at their highest level for this time of year since 2010. Health Access: Hawai‘i health centers are preparing for new Med-QUEST rules, which could affect how clinics serve patients.

Reef Health: A study found 25 contaminants, including medicines, cosmetics and agricultural runoff, in Maui coral tissue. Higher levels appeared at more human-impacted sites, suggesting local pollution may weaken reefs’ resilience to heat stress. Disaster Readiness: Hawaiʻi Foodbank handed out free emergency meal packs in Honolulu to help households prepare for power outages and disrupted food access. Organ Donation: A 21-year-old traveled to Honolulu to donate a kidney to his mother; both were recovering after surgery, and the donated kidney began working immediately. Flu Season: U.S. flu activity is rising unusually early, with a mutated H1N1 strain a possible factor. Health officials are urging vaccination. Cancer Care: The UH Cancer Center received a $2.5 million grant to expand oncology care statewide. Healthcare Access: Hawaiʻi health centers are preparing for new Med-QUEST rules, while rising medical costs continue to strain families nationwide. Medication Safety: Drug Take Back Day encouraged residents to dispose of unused prescriptions safely, helping prevent misuse and protect Hawaiʻi’s water.

Disaster Readiness: Hawaiʻi Foodbank handed out free, shelf-stable emergency meals in Honolulu to help households prepare for storms that disrupt power, cooking and grocery access. Med-QUEST Changes: Starting Jan. 1, some adults enrolled in Hawaiʻi’s Medicaid program must document 80 hours a month of work, school or volunteering to keep coverage. About 124,000 members may be subject to the rule, and providers are preparing for possible coverage losses. Medicare Choices: HMSA is ending two Medicare Advantage plans that cover about 16,000 members. Its new Oʻahu HMO excludes The Queen’s Health Systems, leaving seniors to check provider and medication coverage before choosing a replacement. Cancer Care: The UH Cancer Center received a $2.5 million grant to expand oncology services statewide. Post-Fire Health: Maui residents tested years after the Lahaina fire had elevated levels of toxic metals in their bodies, according to a new report. Dengue: Hawaiʻi health officials reported the state’s 10th travel-related dengue case of 2026, on Maui.

Med-QUEST: Starting Jan. 1, some adults ages 19–64 must document 80 hours a month of work, school or volunteering to keep Medicaid coverage. About 124,000 members may be subject to the rule, and providers worry eligible residents could lose coverage. Medicare Choices: HMSA is ending two Akamai Advantage plans, affecting about 16,000 members. Its new O‘ahu Select Plus plan excludes Queen’s and includes just over 60% of providers in HMSA’s Medicare PPO network, so members should check their doctors and medications before choosing. Flu Season: Flu activity is rising unusually early, with H1N1 dominant and hospitalizations at their highest level for this time of year since 2010. Health experts urge people to get vaccinated soon. Cancer Care: The UH Cancer Center received a $2.5 million grant to expand oncology care statewide. Environmental Health: A study says Navy pumping has not fully contained a Red Hill fuel leak; separately, Maui fire survivors have been found with high levels of toxic metals in their bodies.

Cannabis and Heart Health: A study including Hawaiʻi found heart-related hospitalizations rose faster after recreational cannabis sales became legal in Western states. Researchers stressed the findings show an association, not cause and effect. Flu Watch: Hawaiʻi is reporting moderate flu activity as an H1N1-led season starts early; nationwide, hospitalizations are at their highest level this early since 2010. Red Hill: New dye-tracer results suggest Navy pumping is not fully containing fuel contamination, with groundwater moving both mauka and makai. Water Emergency: About 100 Punaluʻu condos remain without drinking water or working toilets after Hurricane Lala, and the utility has no repair timeline. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help the UH Cancer Center expand oncology care statewide. Rural Health Workforce: Hawaiʻi plans to cover health-care training tuition for students who commit to five years of work in rural areas.

Flu Watch: Flu is rising unusually early. The CDC says U.S. hospitalizations are at their highest level for this point in the season since 2010; Hawaii reports moderate activity, with test positivity reaching 25.7% on Oct. 17. Water Safety: A new study suggests Navy pumping may not fully contain groundwater contamination near Red Hill. In Pāhala, about 100 condominiums remain without drinking water or working toilets after Hurricane Lala, with no repair timeline. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help the UH Cancer Center expand oncology care statewide. Emergency Response: Honolulu EMS’ new Ko Olina station has answered more than 150 calls since opening, strengthening West Oʻahu ambulance coverage. Disease Prevention: Hawaii has confirmed its 10th travel-related dengue case of 2026, on Maui. Medication Safety: Residents can drop off unused or expired medicines at Take Back Day sites to prevent misuse and protect local waters.

Medication Safety: Hawaiʻi’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, with drive-through drop-offs on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; year-round drop boxes are available on the neighbor islands. Safe disposal helps prevent misuse and keeps medications out of local waters. Emergency Response: Honolulu EMS has opened its 25th station in Ko Olina, strengthening West Oʻahu coverage. The unit has already answered more than 150 calls since beginning operations Oct. 4. Flu Season: Hawaiʻi’s flu test positivity reached 25.7% by Oct. 17 as cases rose unusually early. Health experts urge residents to get vaccinated, even as a mutated H1N1 strain spreads. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help the UH Cancer Center expand statewide oncology care, research and specialist training, including Hawaiʻi’s first in-state oncology fellowship. Measles Preparedness: Hawaiʻi and other West Coast Health Alliance states say the CDC took two months to respond to a request for help validating a high-volume measles test, then declined, citing other priorities.

Heart Care: Queen’s Medical Center has successfully completed its first open-heart surgery to implant a left ventricular assist device, offering Hawaii patients with advanced heart failure a treatment previously available only on the mainland. Maui Wildfire Health: New MauiWES research found elevated toxic metals in residents months after the Lahaina fires; higher exposure was linked to impaired lung function. Cancer Care: A $2.5 million grant will help UH Cancer Center expand statewide oncology services, research and specialist training, addressing gaps that drive patients to seek care off-island. Dengue: Hawaii has reported its 10th travel-related dengue case of 2026, on Maui. Water Safety: DOH issued a bacteria advisory for Puako Boat Ramp after testing found elevated enterococci levels; swimming in affected water can cause illness.

Dengue Watch: The state reports Hawaii’s 10th travel-related dengue case of 2026, confirmed on Maui. Food Safety: DOH closed Adriana’s Kitchen Catering in Waipahu after finding unsafe refrigeration, eggs stored at room temperature and a handwashing sink without water; the business must pass a follow-up inspection to reopen. Rural Care: Hawaii plans to cover health-care career tuition for students who commit to five years of work in rural areas, aiming to address staffing needs. Health Coverage: Centene is set to leave Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program at year’s end, raising questions about continuity for members. Outbreak Preparedness: Hawaii joined West Coast health officials urging the CDC to validate a high-volume measles test; the agency declined an earlier request, citing competing priorities. Flu Season: Cases are rising unusually early across the country, prompting renewed calls to get vaccinated.