Katie Helland
I’m excited to help bring a brand new source of news to the state. In my coverage, I look forward to sharing stories that will help you plan fun things to do for date nights and spend family time in Hawaii. I also hope to share stories about the people behind events and organizations, as well as their interests in music, hula, film, comedy and more.
I started working at the city newspaper when I was still in high school through summer internships. Since then, I have worked for the community newspaper in my college town, as well as The Santiago Times when I lived abroad in Chile. Most recently, I worked for Pacific Business News in Honolulu.
At ASD, I can’t wait to talk story, which is how reporters hear some of the best news tips! Hawaii has such an incredibly rich culture. And for me, it is home.
Latest from Katie Helland
10 things to do this weekend: Friday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 5
From the final shows of the musical “Come from Away” to the arrival of a second location of Paris Baguette, here are 10 things happening on Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandOctober 01, 2025
City and County of Honolulu searches for chief of ocean safety
The role pays more than $200,000 in annual salary and includes responsibility of more than 300 people across five districts on Oʻahu. The Ocean Safety Department oversees ocean safety and emergency rescue on the beach and near shore waters along Oʻahu’s 227-mile coastline.
Katie HellandSeptember 30, 2025
Your guide to Shangri La’s new ticket system
The museum, which is a center of the Doris Duke Foundation, has a new ticketing system. Previously, money raised from tour tickets, after expenses were met, benefited the Honolulu Museum of Art. Now, ticket sales will benefit HoMA and Bishop Museum.
Katie HellandSeptember 30, 2025
HIFF announces films nominated for Made in Hawaiʻi awards
Want to watch a made in Hawaiʻi film? The Hawaiʻi International Film Festival will have a number of them in theaters as part of its competition for Made in Hawaiʻi awards for best short and feature film. The festival is also a qualifying event for the animated and live action short film category of the Academy Awards.
Katie HellandSeptember 26, 2025
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra offers free ocean-themed concert
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with the University of Hawaiʻi on this free concert themed around the ocean that includes animations, storytelling and hula. As of Monday, the performance was sold out.
Katie HellandSeptember 26, 2025
Lopaka Kapanui brings ghost stories to Hawaiʻi Theatre
What do ghosts, storytellers and the symphony have in common? They will be gathering for a one-night-only show at Hawaiʻi Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 18. Storyteller Lopaka Kapanui shares a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.
Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2025
“Da Mayah” extends shows at Mānoa Valley Theatre
Playwright Lee Cataluna started writing after a trip to New York City, where she watched a show on Broadway. Now, her first play, “Da Mayah,” is back on stage in Honolulu and several of the original cast members from the 1998 production are in it. Learn about the moment when she was “strangely brave” and decided to write.
Katie HellandSeptember 24, 2025
Uni, Aloha Festivals, and live music: Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 28
Looking for fun plans this weekend? From food recommendations to live music, Aloha State Daily has you covered. Here are a few ways you can spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Katie HellandSeptember 24, 2025
Tickets on sale for Hawaiʻi International Film Festival
The festival includes events on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. This is the only Academy Awards-qualifying film festival in the state. Events start Oct. 15. Tickets are now on sale for individual movies or passes to all movie screenings.
Katie HellandSeptember 23, 2025
Three movies — and one tv series — to watch
Looking for something to watch? These movies feature scenes shot in Hawaiʻi or ties to the Islands and run in Consolidated Theatres through Sept. 25.
Katie HellandSeptember 19, 2025
Jason Momoa talks “Chief of War”
“This was my life’s goal to do this,” said the actor, who wrote the nine-part mini-series with Thomas Paʻa Sibbett for Apple TV+. Momoa talks about surprises and what it means to play the warrior Kaʻiana in a story about the unification of the Islands in this exclusive interview with Aloha State Daily.
Katie HellandSeptember 19, 2025
Watch “The Paper Bag Plan” at Consolidated Theatres
This independent film opens in Consolidated Theatres at Ward this week. The movie’s executive producer, Keʻalohi Lee Lucero, graduated from Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her parents make a cameo in the film and still live on Lānaʻi.
Katie HellandSeptember 19, 2025
Screenwriter Thomas Paʻa Sibbett shares behind-the-scenes for “Chief of War”
Thomas Paʻa Sibbett grew up in Washington and focused on Hawaiian Studies at Brigham Young University – Hawaiʻi. Now, he is teaming up with Jason Momoa for an Apple TV+ mini-series about the unification of the Hawaiian Islands.
Katie HellandSeptember 18, 2025
Slack key guitar, barbecue and acai: What to do Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21
It’s a foodie weekend! Enjoy a barbecue that supports student scholarships at Windward Community College and a sweet deal on acai on Oʻahu's east side. Or catch live music and stage performances. Aloha State Daily did the research so you don’t have to. Read this list of 12 things to do this weekend and start planning fun.
Katie HellandSeptember 17, 2025
'No arrests' in Fiji Tribute concert, HPD says
Aloha State Daily reached out to several city departments, including the Honolulu Police Department and those overseeing the Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell and Kapi’olani Regional Park, which each hosted events for ticket holders.
Katie HellandSeptember 16, 2025
Catch Henry Kapono and other legends in September concerts
Henry Kapono will join well known and up-and-coming singers and musicians for the Home in the Islands Music Festival, hosted by the Henry Kapono Foundation. Among the events is the foundation’s inaugural In the Key of Aloha fundraiser gala, which features Kapono, Jerry Santos, Brother Noland, Kimié Miner, Tavana, and artists from the On the Rise program at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.
Katie HellandSeptember 12, 2025
Punahou School graduate is in “Chief of War”
Brandon Finn, a graduate of Punahou School, explores complicated father and son relationships in his role as Prince Kūpule in the Apple TV+ mini-series, “Chief of War.” He shares his favorite scene to shoot and how he learned ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi for the role.
Katie HellandSeptember 12, 2025
Movie “Chaperone,” filmed in Hilo, hits Consolidated Theatres
This independent film, written and directed by Hawai’i Island-based Zoë Eisenberg, is an age-gap story. Set in Hilo, it explores the motives of a 29-year-old woman who decides she has nothing to lose in pursuing a relationship with a teenager.
Katie HellandSeptember 11, 2025
Three theater productions to see this week
Ready to watch live performances? These Oʻahu-based theater organizations are performing the first shows of their seasons. Get ready to be transported to Canada and Hilo, all while exploring universal themes from a seat by the stage.
Katie HellandSeptember 10, 2025
Warriors game, Fiji tribute, car show and more: Friday, Sept. 12 to Sunday, Sept. 14
Already thinking about what to do this Saturday and Sunday? With a homecoming game for the Warriors and a free one-night-only tribute to Fiji, there are plenty of events to choose from this weekend. Aloha State Daily has pulled together a quick list of ways to keep your entire ʻohana entertained.
Katie HellandSeptember 10, 2025
Frank Orrall reflects on Poi Dog Pondering and his new cookbook
The Henry J. Kaiser High School graduate is the founder of Poi Dog Pondering. Now, he is also the author of his first cookbook.
Katie HellandSeptember 09, 2025