AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care Access: Hawaiʻi DOH is rolling out “Go and Know,” offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible uninsured women, with an online eligibility form and connections to free mammogram services. Hurricane Readiness: Hurricane Lowell remains a major threat with strong surf and damaging winds expected early next week, and officials stress that the track is still uncertain. Disaster Recovery (Kona Earthquake): Gov. Josh Green says FEMA approved a major disaster declaration for the May 22 Kona quake, unlocking individual assistance for eligible Hawaii County residents, including temporary housing and repairs. Adolescent Mental Health: A $2.09M Helmsley grant will expand Kona Community Hospital’s behavioral health capacity with a new adolescent inpatient unit outside Oʻahu. SNAP Storm Replacement: After Tropical Cyclone Lala, Hawaiʻi DHS automatically replaced 45% of August SNAP benefits for approved disaster areas, while other households can still apply for partial or full replacement through Sept. 13. Public Health Watch: DOH reports dengue detected in Hawaiʻi Island wastewater, signaling ongoing local monitoring needs. Local Health & Safety: Hawaii Fire Department debuted a new all-terrain firefighting truck on Hawaiʻi Island to strengthen wildfire response.

Behavioral Health Boost: A $2.09M Helmsley grant will fund an adolescent inpatient behavioral health unit at Kona Community Hospital, adding five pediatric beds and expanding Hawaii’s capacity beyond Oʻahu. Disaster Recovery: President Trump approved a major disaster declaration (FEMA-4936-DR) for the May 22 Kona 6.0 quake, unlocking FEMA individual assistance for eligible Hawaii County residents, including help for home repairs and damaged water catchments. Local Health & Safety: Patsy T. Mink Central Oʻahu Regional Park fully reopened after restoration from its temporary debris-site use following Kona low storms, with soil testing reported as meeting state health requirements. Food Assistance After Storms: Hawaii SNAP households in approved areas will automatically receive 45% replacement of August benefits after Hurricane Lala, with requests for more help due Sept. 13. Public Health Watch: Hawaii wastewater testing detected dengue virus in Hilo; officials say it’s an early warning signal and not proof of local spread, with no active cases currently tracked. Community Health Alerts: Two people were hospitalized with burns after a tent fire near Black Rocks Beach in Nanakuli; police have not released a cause. COVID Update: Hawaii’s COVID positivity rates are rising again, with higher rates in Kauaʻi and Honolulu and increased hospital admissions reported.

Public Health Watch (Hawaiʻi Island): The Hawaiʻi Department of Health says a wastewater sample from the Hilo treatment plant tested positive for dengue virus. Officials collected a follow-up sample the same day results were reported and say they’re not tracking any active dengue cases in Hawaiʻi County right now; DOH notes dengue isn’t endemic in Hawaiʻi and past local cases have been travel-related. Emergency Care & Mental Health (Oʻahu): Honolulu is expanding its MH3 program, which lets emergency responders and law enforcement involuntarily take people experiencing severe mental illness or substance abuse for care; officials report about 150 interventions since launch. Injury Updates (Nanakuli & Volcano): A Nanakuli fire sent two people to the hospital with serious burns, and Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a Volcano crash that seriously injured an 11-year-old after he fell from a pickup bed and was run over. Food Assistance (After Tropical Cyclone Lala): Hawaiʻi DHS announced automated SNAP mass replacement for eligible households, with a 45% August benefit replacement on EBT cards for approved areas.

Dengue Watch (Hawaiʻi Island): The state Department of Health says a wastewater sample from Hilo tested positive for dengue virus. Officials collected the sample Aug. 24 and were notified Aug. 31; a follow-up sample is pending. DOH stresses wastewater positives don’t confirm illness or local spread, but they’re an early warning to boost mosquito control and awareness. Houselessness & Public Health (Maui): Maui County announced an interim safe parking site on county land in Puʻunēnē and a permanent location in Kahului, aiming to reduce risks while connecting people to supportive services. Rural Health Resilience (Hawaiʻi): Hawaii News Now reports $18.5M in federal funding to strengthen the power grid and create “critical customer hubs” to keep key services running during extended outages. Workforce Health Pathways (Oʻahu): Ten Honolulu adults graduated from a tuition-free construction and skilled trades track and received job offers immediately—an indirect boost for long-term health through stable employment. Safety Alerts (Volcano): An 11-year-old was seriously injured after falling from a pickup truck bed and being run over by a food wagon; police are investigating a negligent injury case and remind drivers about the ban on passengers under 16 in pickup beds.

Transgender youth healthcare fight: A coalition of 21+ states, including New York and Washington, sued the Trump administration over a new rule that would block Medicaid/CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income youth (effective Oct. 13, 2026), arguing the federal government is overstepping and undermining state medical decisions. Hawaii insurer contract shake-up: In Hawaii, HMSA’s “claims-based attribution” changes reportedly removed about 450 primary-care patients from one clinic’s panel and cut roughly $162,000/year in payments, raising concerns for access and stability in primary care. Rural health funding: Gov. Green announced $58 million in federal investment to strengthen rural healthcare across Hawai‘i. Local emergency updates: Honolulu firefighters extinguished a two-alarm Waipahu house fire, treating a 6-year-old and a 66-year-old for serious burns; in McCully, a pickup rollover killed a 26-year-old woman and critically injured a 25-year-old. Public health watch: Cyclosporiasis cases are still being reported nationwide even though the CDC season is “technically over,” with thousands of infections confirmed since May. Injury prevention reminder: Hawai‘i Island police urged safer pickup-bed practices after an 11-year-old fell from a truck bed and was run over by a towed food wagon.

Mental Health Crisis Response: Honolulu is expanding its MH-3 program, which uses a legal pathway under Act 219 to move people experiencing severe mental illness or substance abuse crises for emergency evaluation when they meet danger thresholds; officials say the program has already involved about 120 people in roughly 150 interventions since launch. Suicide Prevention in Agriculture: During Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, Hawaii leaders highlighted elevated risk for workers in farming and other high-stress, low-control jobs, especially as storms add financial and emotional strain. Rural Healthcare Funding: Gov. Green announced $58 million in federal investment to strengthen rural healthcare across Hawaiʻi, aiming to reduce gaps that can mean long drives for critical services. Meals Access for Kūpuna: Hawaiʻi Meals on Wheels hit a record 100 delivery routes on Oʻahu, serving about 800 meals daily and asking for more volunteers to keep up with demand. Gun Safety Effort: Oʻahu held a community gun buyback event offering gift cards for turned-in firearms, paired with free gun locks and messaging that firearm violence is a public health concern. STEM for Maui Students: A Maui fundraiser drew nearly 400 supporters and raised about $175,000 for robotics and STEM programs, with students showcasing projects and signing up for future competitions. Hurricane Recovery Watch: Updates from Hurricane Lala response efforts continued, including work to restore Kaʻū water service and assess storm damage to critical infrastructure.

Rural Healthcare Funding: Hawaiʻi is set to receive $58M in federal money to strengthen rural care, including workforce training, new ambulances for every county, and upgrades to emergency communications. Storm Resilience: The Hawaiʻi National Guard wrapped up Lala response on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, while troops continue recovery support on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. Community Resilience Hubs: An editorial highlights how “resilience hubs” can keep families connected to food, power access, and services during repeated disruptions. Public Health & Safety: Multiple motorcycle/moped crashes on Oʻahu left riders seriously hurt, including a critical Ewa Beach moped collision tied to a red-light turn and helmet use concerns. Mental Health & Media: Attorneys General announced a major Meta settlement aimed at reducing how long children can spend on Instagram/Facebook and improving child safety reforms. Local Wellness/Access: Navarro Discount Pharmacy locations in Miami-Dade now accept WIC, expanding access to infant formula and nutritious foods.

Rural Healthcare Funding: CMS announced $58M for Hawaii’s rural health push, including $45M for JABSOM workforce programs and $13M for upgrades like ambulances and modern emergency communications. Local Health Access & Costs: HMSA’s new payment approach has doctors warning of lower reimbursements and clinic closures, with at least one Hilo practice citing major revenue losses. Vital Records Move: The DOH vital records office is relocating downtown from Kinau Hale to the City Financial Tower (201 Merchant St.) starting Sept. 21, with DOH listing nearby garage options for parking. Disaster Resilience: Editorials and reporting highlight “resilience hubs” and ongoing recovery after Hurricane Lala, as state agencies coordinate services and power restoration. Energy & Health Infrastructure: Hawaii secured $18.5M for grid resilience and hazard mitigation, including critical customer hubs to keep lifelines running during prolonged outages. Kalaupapa Memorial Progress: The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a right-of-entry permit and lease for a Kalaupapa memorial honoring those exiled with Hansen’s disease. Public Health Watch: Cyclospora outbreak updates note rising cases alongside concerns about reduced federal research support.

Hawaiʻi Grid Resilience Funding: Hawaiʻi State Energy Office secured $18.5M in federal money for $25M of grid resilience and hazard mitigation projects across Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Oʻahu, including Critical Customer Hubs and grid “digital twin” upgrades to speed restoration and keep key facilities running during long outages. Hurricane Lala Recovery: Recovery updates highlight ongoing storm impacts and preparedness as state and county teams coordinate medical support and community resilience efforts after flooding and power disruptions. Rural Health Care Push: A national policy shift is drawing attention to a $50B rural health investment, with Democrats increasingly backing parts of the plan as costs rise and access gaps persist. Cyclospora Outbreak Watch: CDC data shows Cyclospora infections have surged past 17,000 since May, while reports say federal research support is being scaled back—raising concerns about how quickly scientists can track and respond. Family Planning Funding Fight: Delaware AG Kathy Jennings joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new federal Title X conditions tied to family planning and preventive care. Paid Leave Rules: A new look at the patchwork of state paid family and medical leave laws breaks down how eligibility and coverage vary widely for employers and workers. Affordability Pressure: New analysis finds a $120,000 income doesn’t stretch as far as it once did, with Hawaiʻi among the hardest places to “live comfortably.” Community Health Access: In Kaʻu after Lala, a volunteer medical team helped fill care gaps when transportation and local facilities were disrupted.

Hurricane Lala Health Response: Volunteer physicians and healthcare workers are still filling care gaps in Ka‘u after the storm disrupted transport and damaged local access, operating out of the Naalehu Gym shelter. Storm Preparedness & Water Safety: Officials say Tropical Storm Lowell and other systems could bring more hazards soon, while Hurricane Lala exposed how power outages can shut down well water pumps because the county lacks enough emergency generators. Energy Costs & Health Equity: Hawai‘i’s only oil refiner, Par Pacific, profited heavily as gas prices rose, even as residents face some of the nation’s highest electricity costs—an issue that hits health when power-dependent medical needs are at risk. Power Backup for Families: A local push for “Solar Batteries for All” urges residents to store energy ahead of storms so homes don’t lose power when the grid goes down. Workforce Pipeline: Kapiolani Community College’s first EMT cohort in Waianae graduated 14 students, aiming to reduce barriers like travel and cost. Local Safety Alerts: Honolulu police are investigating a fatal-leaning hit-and-run on H-1 that left a 54-year-old woman critically injured; authorities also issued an update that a previously missing 12-year-old was located in good health. Medicaid Snapshot: Kaunakakai Medicaid billing for pathology and lab procedures rose to $135,288 in 2024, up 31.1% from 2023.

H-1 Hit-and-Run: Honolulu police are investigating a Waipahu crash on the H-1 Freeway where an unidentified driver rear-ended a parked vehicle on the shoulder and then fled without stopping; a 54-year-old woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was not wearing a seatbelt. Primary Care Pressure: Hawaii Medical Service Association is set to tighten primary-care payments starting Tuesday, dropping patients from provider “panels” if no claims are processed in 18 months and limiting reimbursement when patients see multiple PCPs in a year—an added hit to access as the state already struggles with too few accepting doctors. Medicaid Billing Watch: New federal Medicaid spending figures show sharp local increases in several categories, including Ewa Beach durable medical equipment billings and Waianae dental services, plus big jumps in Kaneohe pathology/lab and other neighbor-island procedure categories. Hurricane Lala Health Response: After Hurricane Lala disrupted Kau, a mobile medical team set up through the county’s program is helping residents get care despite transportation and facility damage. Public Health Screening: A new analysis highlights how skipping follow-up colonoscopy after a positive stool test can raise death risk, underscoring the need to complete the full screening pathway. Mosquito-Borne Alerts: Florida health departments issued alerts after locally acquired dengue cases were reported, reminding residents that Aedes mosquitoes can enable local spread.

Hurricane Lala recovery (Big Island): A volunteer team of physicians and healthcare workers is still operating out of the Naalehu Gym shelter to bring care to Kau residents as storm damage and transportation disruptions make it harder to reach clinics. Primary care crisis: A new local column warns Hawaiʻi’s primary care shortage is driving long waits, missed calls, and overcrowded urgent care and ER visits—especially on neighbor islands. Storm impacts on health and infrastructure: Hawaiian Electric says some Big Island customers remain without power because of access issues to safely restore electricity, while water service is being incrementally expanded in hard-hit areas. Food and safety after outages: One Big Island resident’s freezer-food dilemma after a prolonged outage highlights the real health and financial risks of losing power. Health policy and spending: Separate reports track Medicaid billing changes in Aiea, Kahuku, and Kapolei, showing how public health dollars flow to specific service categories. Community health and prevention: Hawaiʻi’s DLNR is seeking volunteers to help restore Kailua’s Kawainui Marsh by removing invasive red mangroves, aiming to improve water quality and habitat. Local environment/reef resilience: The Nature Conservancy says Hurricane Lala triggered its reef insurance for rapid assessment and repair, with statewide partners coordinating next steps. Injury update: A 14-year-old was seriously hurt in a Kalihi hit-and-run involving an e-motorcycle; police say the teen wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaiian Electric says several hundred Big Island customers still can’t get power because of equipment access, urging affected residents to call the trouble line or report online; Hawai‘i County water crews are incrementally restoring service in Kaʻū and reopening parts of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as repairs progress. Public Health & Safety: Honolulu police report a teen seriously hurt in a Kalihi e-motorcycle crash after hitting a moped rider; the teen was not wearing a helmet and the investigation continues. Community Health & Wellness: DLNR is seeking volunteers to remove invasive red mangroves at Kailua’s Kawainui Marsh to restore waterways, improve water quality, and protect endangered native waterbirds. Local Health Services: Honolulu EMS is accepting applications for EMT Academy 9, with training aimed at filling O‘ahu 911-care roles. Food & Health Access: A Big Island resident’s freezer-food scare after a 24-hour outage sparked community tips on food safety and generator/ice help. Health Policy Watch: BBB warns consumers about a Hawaii wellness certification/coaching provider, urging careful vetting.

Kalaupapa Memorial Progress: The state Board of Land and Natural Resources heard testimony on a right-of-entry permit for a proposed permanent memorial honoring Hansen’s disease patients, including the names of those exiled to Kalaupapa under 19th-century policies. Reef Protection Decision: BLNR rejected a proposal to restart commercial aquarium fish collection in West Hawaiʻi, citing legal concerns and directing DLNR to consider alternatives that align with public trust duties and Native Hawaiian cultural practices. Molokai Water Update: Trace selenium was detected in the Kaunakakai water system (2.3–2.4 µg/L), far below the 50 µg/L drinking-water standard; monitoring will continue. Oʻahu EMS Hiring: Honolulu EMS opened applications for EMT Academy 9 (starting salary $66,144), with a Sept. 5 deadline or 500 applications. Safety After Snorkeling Death: The medical examiner identified a 62-year-old man who died after snorkeling off Ko Olina; cause and manner are pending. Tourism Shift: New state data show July visitors and spending rose, but Waikīkī business is feeling the pinch as travelers take shorter trips. H-1B Policy Uncertainty: The Trump administration cleared a proposal to end the discretionary 60-day H-1B grace period, though the current protection remains in force while the rule process continues.

Hurricane Lala Recovery: Hawaii secured $18.5M in federal grants to harden the power grid and fund “critical customer hubs” so medical clinics, pharmacies, and grocery stores can keep running during long outages; Hawaiian Electric also reported power restoration progress on Hawaiʻi Island, with about 600 customers still without electricity as crews tackle remaining pockets. Vital Records Access: The Hawaii Department of Health will relocate its Vital Records Office to downtown Honolulu (City Financial Tower) starting Sept. 21, with extended public hours after the move. Public Health—Foodborne Illness: DOH is investigating a potential locally acquired cyclosporiasis case on Oʻahu as national counts climb, underscoring the need for safe food handling. Cancer Disparities: New analysis highlights Native Hawaiian women’s highest breast cancer incidence in the U.S., pointing to how combined reporting can hide higher-risk groups. Maternal Care Access: A national study warns rural obstetrics unit closures could mean much longer drives for pregnant patients on Medicaid. Safety & Injury Risk: Reports tied to Six Flags’ X2 roller coaster add to concerns about traumatic brain injuries from extreme rides.

Hurricane Lala recovery (Big Island): Kaʻū Hospital got power back after 11 generator days, with crews still working to restore electricity across the island; about 1,430 customers remained without power as of Thursday. Water safety: A precautionary boil water notice is still in effect for multiple Kaʻū and Naʻālehu-area communities while water service is incrementally restored. Mental health after disasters: Hawaiʻi DOH is offering counseling at Nāʻālehu Elementary as residents process trauma, grief, and anger in the aftermath. Public health watch (Oʻahu): DOH is investigating a new cyclosporiasis case and whether it could be locally acquired, as questions grow about possible local sources. Injury alerts: A snorkeler was pronounced dead off Ko Olina; separately, a moped driver was seriously hurt in Ewa Beach after a collision. Youth mental health & tech: Rhode Island is set to receive part of a massive Meta settlement requiring new protections for teens on Instagram and Facebook.