AGP Executive Report

Disaster Relief: CNMI Salvation Army delivered eight pallets of canned goods to Rota after Super Typhoon Bavi, with more distributions planned for Saipan and Tinian as damage reports come in. Tourism Policy: A Guam-CNMI working group renewed pushes to add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, framing it as both a tourism boost and a security win; CNMI is also drafting legislation to make the change happen through federal law. Tourism & Travel Deals: Philippine Airlines marks 80 years of its first Guam flight with a July 30–Aug. 1 flash sale (up to 40% off base fares) for travel starting Sept. 1. Sports Tourism: Guam hosts the first-ever Oceania Volleyball Championship Aug. 3–9 at UOG Calvo Field House, with 16 teams from across the region. Local Business & Culture: GiGo opens Guam’s first arcade at Donki (soft opening July 25, grand opening Aug. 1). Weather Watch: NWS Guam is tracking Invest 93W (showers/thunderstorms, easing midweek) and Invest 92C (likely to develop but forecast to pass north of Guam).

Medal of Honor Push: An award-winning book on CHamoru WWII hero Francisco Jesus Cruz just won an international prize, but the author says the White House Medal of Honor request for Cruz still hasn’t moved forward. Volcano Living: Pagan Island’s extreme remoteness is highlighted by its tiny current population and ongoing monitoring of the active volcano. Air Travel Costs: CAB raised Guam-relevant passenger fuel surcharges to Level 13 for Aug. 1–15, ending a six-period slide and increasing what travelers may pay on routes including Guam. Tourism & Culture: Guam is set to host the first-ever Oceania Volleyball Championship Aug. 3–9, a potential sports-tourism boost with regional teams and ticket info. Regional Travel Access: Guam and CNMI leaders renewed efforts to add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, framing it as both an economic tourism win and a family-connection priority. Beach Safety: Guam EPA issued a weekly advisory for 10 polluted beaches, warning swimmers and vulnerable groups to avoid unsafe water. Virtual Island Summit: The free Virtual Island Summit returns Sept. 15–17 with a new three-day format focused on adapting, transforming tourism, and mobilizing action.

Aviation & Travel Costs: Guam-bound passengers may see higher fares after the Civil Aeronautics Board set CAB fuel surcharge rates at Level 13 for Aug. 1–15, more than doubling Level 8 for many routes, including Guam. Tourism & Entertainment: Donki’s Guam location is adding its first GiGo arcade in American soil, with a grand opening Aug. 1 after a July 25 soft launch. Sports Tourism: Guam will host the first-ever Oceania Volleyball Championship Aug. 3–9 at UOG Calvo Field House, with regional teams and day passes starting at $10. Regional Travel Access: Guam and CNMI leaders met with Philippine officials to push adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, aiming to boost tourism and reconnect families. Beach Safety: Guam EPA issued a pollution advisory for 10 beaches, warning of illness risks if people swim or fish in unsafe waters. Weather Watch: NWS Guam says Invest 93W is weakening into a trough bringing scattered showers, while Invest 92C may develop but is forecast to pass well north of Guam. Public Safety: A sex offender was arrested for allegedly failing to verify information on the Guam Sex Offender Registry.

Tourism & Access Push: Guam and CNMI officials met with Philippine leaders to advance adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, framing it as both an economic boost for hotels, restaurants, and shops and a security win—while CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds is also drafting legislation to lock in the change. Beach Safety: Guam EPA issued a warning for 10 polluted beaches after July 23 sampling, advising against swimming, fishing, or wading due to illness risks. Sports Tourism: Guam will host the first-ever Oceania Volleyball Championship Aug. 3–9, with regional men’s and women’s teams and day passes starting at $10. Disaster Recovery Watch: CNMI Gov. David Apatang said power restoration is uneven after Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, with Rota still without power and Tinian likely needing a power plant rebuild. Weather Update: NWS Guam is monitoring Invest 92C for possible tropical development north of Guam, while Invest 93W has weakened into a rain-producing trough. Community & Culture: WKO Shinkyokushinkai Guam and CNMI returned from Tokyo’s Karate Dream Festival with multiple kata wins, highlighting Marianas talent on an international stage. Policy Tension: Guam leaders criticized a new U.S. bill targeting birthright citizenship in territories, warning it could create stateless outcomes and calling for enforcement-focused alternatives.

Guam-CNMI Tourism Push: Guam and CNMI officials met with Philippine leaders at the Guam International Airport Authority to advance adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, aiming to boost tourism and reconnect families; CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ office is also drafting legislation to lock in the change through federal law. Beach Safety Alert: Guam EPA issued a pollution advisory for 10 beaches after testing found bacteria above standards, warning swimmers and vulnerable groups to avoid unsafe waters. Environmental Court Fight: Blue Ocean Law and Prutehi Guåhan are pressing the U.S. Supreme Court over whether the Air Force must complete environmental review before continuing open burning and detonation activities tied to Tarague Beach. Tourism Community & Workforce: SKÅL Guam awarded a scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort employee pursuing tourism studies, and Guam Regional Medical City held a health fair with free screenings and prizes. Travel Planning Event: The Virtual Island Summit returns Sept. 15–17, 2026, with sessions on rethinking tourism and turning waste into local circular economies. Weather Watch: NWS Guam is monitoring Invest 93W (weakening, bringing scattered showers) and Invest 92C (likely to develop but forecast to pass north of Guam).

Visa-Free Push for the Philippines: Guam and CNMI officials met in Hagatña to move from talk to action on adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, aiming to boost tourism, airlines, and family reunions while addressing U.S. security concerns. Regional Tourism Growth: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ office is also drafting legislation to make the Philippines inclusion happen through federal law (and potentially expand to other countries), arguing the current approach is too slow. Karate in Japan: A WKO Shinkyokushinkai Guam/NMI delegation returned from Tokyo’s Karate Dream Festival with multiple kata wins, including the Marianas’ first group kata team debut on a major stage. Beach Safety Advisory: Guam EPA issued a warning for 10 polluted beaches after July 23 water samples, urging caution for swimming and fishing. Military Spotlight (Not Tourism, but Guam News): The U.S. deployed the hypersonic “Dark Eagle” to Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield, underscoring Guam’s role in Indo-Pacific defense. Heritage Access Lawsuit: Prutehi Guåhan filed Supreme Court arguments over the Tarague detonation range, saying it harms Guam’s land and water and should face stricter environmental review. Local Hospitality Education: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort employee pursuing a tourism degree at GCC.

Visa Waiver Push: Guam and CNMI leaders met with Philippine officials at the Guam airport to move the Philippines into the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program from “talk to action,” aiming to boost tourism while addressing security concerns. Beach Safety: Guam EPA issued a new advisory for 10 polluted beaches, warning swimmers and anglers about illness risks—especially for kids, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems. Birthright Citizenship Fight: Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI Gov. David Apatang urged U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith to withdraw his bill targeting birthright citizenship in territories, arguing it’s the wrong fix for “birth tourism.” Heritage Access Dispute: Prutehi Guåhan urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold its right to challenge Air Force plans for the Tarague detonation range over alleged environmental harm. Tourism Workforce: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort employee pursuing a tourism degree, highlighting continued investment in hospitality careers. Local Events: Micronesia Mall says all slots are filled for the Mall Ball ’26 3x3 middle school tournament, running July 31–Aug. 2.

Election Buzz: Residents at Westin Resort Guam wrapped early voting, sharing hopes for leaders who deliver on promises like rebuilding Simon Sanchez and keeping childcare support front and center. Tourism Access Push: Guam, CNMI, and Philippine officials met at the Guam International Airport Authority to move the Philippines into the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program from “talk to action,” with CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds drafting legislation to lock in the change and protect tourism jobs. Beach Safety: Guam EPA issued a fresh advisory for 10 polluted beaches, warning of illness risks if people swim, fish, or play in unsafe waters. Hospitality Workforce: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort Guam employee pursuing tourism studies at Guam Community College. Local Business Upgrade: 76 Circle K’s Airport Road Tamuning store reopened with a new “Horizon” design and expanded offerings aimed at serving both visitors and residents. Sports & Community: Micronesia Mall filled all slots for the Mall Ball ’26 3x3 middle school tournament, running July 31–Aug. 2, plus raffles and giveaways. Regional Weather Watch: Typhoon Noul skirted Hong Kong and made landfall in Guangdong, disrupting travel in the region.

Visa Waiver Push: Guam and CNMI leaders met with Philippine officials at the Guam International Airport Authority to move the Philippines into the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program from “talk to action,” balancing tourism growth with security concerns. Local Health Advisory: Guam EPA issued a weekly warning for 10 polluted beaches, urging residents and visitors to avoid swimming, fishing, or playing in unsafe waters. Birthright Citizenship Fight: Guam and CNMI officials are urging U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith to withdraw his bill targeting birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, arguing it could create legal and humanitarian fallout. Military & Travel Context: The U.S. deployed the hypersonic “Dark Eagle” to Guam for Valiant Shield 2026, underscoring heightened Indo-Pacific tensions that can affect visitor perceptions and planning. Tourism Workforce: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort employee pursuing tourism studies at Guam Community College. Community Events: Guam Regional Medical City’s Steel Strong, Heart Driven Health Fair returns July 25 at Micronesia Mall with free screenings, games, and prizes.

Supreme Court Fight Over Tarague Range: Prutehi Guåhan filed new arguments asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the right to challenge the Air Force’s Tarague Beach detonation range renewal, saying it threatens Guam land and water and should require meaningful environmental review. Beach Safety Update: Guam EPA issued a warning that 10 beaches are polluted based on July 23 water samples, advising residents and visitors to avoid swimming, fishing, or playing in unsafe waters. Marianas Visa Push: Guam, CNMI, and Philippine officials met at the Guam International Airport Authority to advance Philippine inclusion in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, aiming to balance tourism growth with security concerns. Tourism Workforce Boost: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort employee pursuing a tourism degree at Guam Community College, part of its push to strengthen the hospitality workforce. Tourism Planning Spotlight: Guam gubernatorial candidates outlined competing plans to rebuild tourism, with repeated focus on improving the visitor experience, air access, infrastructure, and workforce needs. Local Events & Culture: Liberation Day celebrations included a new Liberation Day Wagon Parade at Asan Beach Park, bringing families together with small-scale, creative tributes to Guam’s history. Military News With Visitor Impact: The U.S. deployed the hypersonic “Dark Eagle” to Guam during Valiant Shield 2026, underscoring the island’s growing role in Indo-Pacific deterrence.

Hypersonic Missile in Guam: The U.S. deployed the Dark Eagle long-range hypersonic weapon to Guam for Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, with photos showing troops training alongside Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo—another “first” for the island’s role in Indo-Pacific deterrence. Birthright Citizenship Pushback: A new federal bill, the “End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act,” would limit automatic citizenship for babies born in Guam, CNMI, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands starting Jan. 1, 2027; Guam and CNMI leaders say it targets territories unfairly and could create statelessness, while opponents warn it undermines existing legal guarantees. Philippines Visa Waiver Talks: Guam and CNMI officials renewed efforts to add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, arguing it would boost tourism and family travel; an analysis says the Philippines is Guam’s largest untapped travel market within four hours. Tourism Workforce Boost: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort employee pursuing a tourism degree at Guam Community College, highlighting investment in the hospitality workforce. Community & Visitor Life: Guam Regional Medical City hosts a Steel Strong, Heart Driven Health Fair July 25 at Micronesia Mall with free screenings, plus the Mall Ball 3x3 middle school tournament fills all team slots July 31–Aug. 2.

Indo-Pacific Military Interop: The U.S. deployed its Dark Eagle long-range hypersonic weapon to Guam for Exercise Valiant Shield, with photos showing troops training alongside PACOM leaders—another first for the island’s role in regional deterrence. Regional Tourism Push: Guam and CNMI officials renewed efforts to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines, aiming to boost visitor arrivals and strengthen family and business ties. Tourism Workforce Boost: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort Guam employee pursuing a tourism degree at Guam Community College. Tourism Planning Spotlight: Guam gubernatorial candidates laid out competing plans to rebuild tourism, with repeated focus on fixing the visitor experience through infrastructure, airline capacity, workforce, and governance. Liberation Day Community Events: Guam marked its 82nd Liberation Day with a wagon parade at Asan Beach Park, celebrating CHamoru history and resilience. Health & Wellness for Visitors: GRMC hosted a Steel Strong, Heart Driven Health Fair with free screenings, games, and prizes at Micronesia Mall. Shopping & Stay Tips: A local guide shared where to shop for groceries and how to enjoy your stay on island. Birthright Citizenship Debate: A federal bill to end birthright citizenship in U.S. territories sparked strong pushback from Guam and CNMI leaders, with concerns about legal status and birth tourism impacts.

Tourism Workforce & Education: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Dusit Beach Resort Guam employee pursuing a tourism degree at Guam Community College, highlighting ongoing support for hospitality careers. Health & Visitor-Friendly Community Events: GRMC’s Steel Strong, Heart Driven Health Fair returns July 25 at Micronesia Mall with free screenings, family activities, and prizes including a roundtrip Guam-to-Philippines airline ticket. Regional Travel Demand: Guam and CNMI leaders say a Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver push that includes the Philippines could unlock a major untapped market, citing strong two-way travel interest despite current U.S. visa friction. Tourism Policy Spotlight: Five gubernatorial teams laid out competing plans to rebuild Guam tourism, with broad agreement that improving the visitor experience, air access, workforce, and infrastructure must come before “marketing.” Liberation Day Culture: Guam marked its 82nd Liberation Day with community celebrations like the Liberation Day Wagon Parade at Asan Beach Park, plus a Liberation Queen homecoming for Tialynn Flores. Security & Travel Context: The U.S. Army deployed the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system on Guam during Valiant Shield 2026, a development that may shape perceptions of the island’s strategic role.

Youth Sports & Community: Micronesia Mall says all 22 team slots are filled for the Mall Ball ’26 3x3 middle school tournament, running July 31–Aug. 2 at the Micronesia Mall Center Court, with prizes, raffles, and the Free Throw Fly Away Challenge. Workforce & Tourism Education: SKÅL International Guam awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Dusit Beach Resort Guam employee Warline Sanchez as she pursues a tourism degree at Guam Community College. Health & Family Fun: GRMC hosts its Steel Strong, Heart Driven Health Fair July 25 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) at Micronesia Mall with free screenings, exhibits, games, and prizes including a roundtrip Guam-to-Philippines economy ticket. Visa Waiver Push (Philippines): Guam and CNMI leaders keep pushing to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines, citing strong two-way travel demand and tourism benefits. Tourism Policy Forum: The Guam Tourism Educational Forum brought lodging and tourism leaders together with gubernatorial teams, focusing on rebuilding arrivals, workforce needs, and visitor-economy strategy. Practical Island Living: A Guam online guide shares where to shop and how to plan a smoother stay, from groceries to pharmacies and military discounts. Sun Safety: Wellness Wednesday highlights Guam’s extreme UV levels and tips for protecting skin during beach days and hikes. Liberation Day Culture: Liberation Day coverage includes a wagon parade at Asan Beach Park and profiles of CHamoru community members returning home to celebrate.

Liberation Day & community life: Guam marked its 82nd Liberation Day with a family-friendly wagon parade at Asan Beach Park, plus ongoing tributes and memorial moments across the island. Tourism policy & workforce: The Guam Tourism Educational Forum brought lodging and travel leaders together as gubernatorial teams outlined plans for the visitor economy, with speakers citing $1.6B in 2025 tourism impact and the need to rebuild arrivals and local staffing. Visa waiver push (Philippines): Guam and CNMI leaders met to advance adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, framing it as a tourism boost and a way to strengthen regional ties and security. Citizenship fight (birthright): Guam and CNMI officials urged Rep. Morgan Griffith to withdraw H.R. 9724, warning it could undermine the Covenant and fuel “birth tourism” backlash. Weather: NWS says Invest 90W has dissipated, with mostly sunny conditions and a few showers expected. Military developments: The U.S. Army deployed the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system on Guam during Valiant Shield 2026, underscoring the island’s strategic role.

Liberation Day in Guam: Families turned out at Asan Beach Park for the 82nd Liberation Day Wagon Parade, with kids pulling pint-sized wagons themed around Guam history and nature—proving small-scale celebrations can still carry a big message. Regional travel access: Guam and CNMI leaders launched the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Working Group at the Guam International Airport Authority to expand the program to include the Philippines, aiming to align security safeguards and boost visitor connections. Wellness for visitors and locals: A “Wellness Wednesday” reminder warns that Guam’s UV levels can hit extreme ranges year-round, urging sunscreen and protective clothing for sunny days. Rota recovery after Bavi: Two weeks into Super Typhoon Bavi recovery, the Red Cross is still using Guam as a staging hub, with volunteers returning to help shelters and affected families. Tourism industry planning: Gubernatorial teams met at the Guam Tourism Educational Forum to discuss how to rebuild Guam’s visitor economy amid slower-than-pre-pandemic arrivals and workforce strain. Birthright citizenship fight: Guam and CNMI officials are pushing back hard against a federal bill that would end automatic citizenship for territory births starting in 2027, arguing it targets residents and could undermine local rights. Guam Photo Hunt: The Guam Visitors Bureau launched an island-wide Instagram treasure hunt featuring 100+ destinations, running through Sept. 30. Weather note: Invest 90W has dissipated, but forecasters say to keep an eye on afternoon showers and new tropical activity forming farther west.