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.
SPJ Hawai‘i 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards: First Place, Best Overall News Site, for “Aloha State Daily,” by the ASD Newsroom, in the Internet Division; and First Place, Headlines, by Katie Helland, Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros, and Stephanie Salmons for "Listen to the Mike Love song people quit their jobs over."
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Katie Helland
Filmmakers reflect on bringing Hawaiʻi to New York
The recent Pacific Island Film Festival, held in New York City, included stories filmed in Hawaiʻi, which reached audiences almost 5,000 miles from where the cameras rolled.
Katie HellandSeptember 26, 2026
Mele for Maui gets encore broadcast on Hawaiʻi News Now
Did you miss the free concert featuring Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s first performance on Maui in a decade last weekend? This Sunday, you can catch the encore broadcast of the event, which features guest artists, such as Keola Beamer, Amy Hānaiali‘i and John Cruz, on Hawaiʻi News Now.
Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2026
Kanaka Maoli author talks story at Native Books
Tori Eldridge is a Broadway dancer turned fifth-degree black belt who decided to become a novelist when she turned 50 years old. This week, she explores her latest books, which are set in Hawaiʻi, and hosts a 90-minute writing workshop as part of a stop at Native Books in Chinatown on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2026
Catch Aloha Festivals’ floral parade, films and snails: what to do on Oʻahu
Ready to plan the weekend? From a floral parade featuring the traditional art of pāʻū riding in Waikīkī to a showcase of Korean independent films at the Honolulu Museum of Art, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27.
Katie HellandSeptember 23, 2026
ʻFrom Samoa to Sinatra’ gives one-night-only performance in Honolulu
Matt Catingub, who previously conducted a pops series for the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, will be back on Oʻahu this Saturday, Sept. 26, to celebrate 50 years in the industry and pay homage to his late mother and vocalist, Mavis Rivers. He will take the stage at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, where he once recorded a live album with Rosemary Clooney.
Katie HellandSeptember 22, 2026
Aloha Festivals celebrates 80 years
The festival underway consists of three events this weekend, including Hoʻolaulea, with four stages and more than 100 vendors in Waikīkī. Also coming up on Sept. 26 is the Aloha Festivals’ 78th Annual Floral Parade, where Sam Shenkus, co-chair of the Aloha Festivals board of directors, has watched some families grow up over time.
Katie HellandSeptember 19, 2026
Puppet designer puts spotlight on conservation
Artist Greg Corbino brings to life a manta ray and a larger-than-life native land snail, along with other creatures who call Hawaiʻi home as part of the world premiere of “Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals” this weekend. The production combines music, dance and puppets to tell the stories of the world’s disappearing animals.
Katie HellandSeptember 18, 2026
Buckle up, cellos! HSO heads to Maui
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, which was recently designated the official state orchestra, will make its first appearance on Maui in 10 years with a free concert, Mele for Maui, on Saturday, Sept. 19. The outdoor performance under the stars of Kā‘anapali celebrates the resilience and courage of Lahaina, Kihei and Kula, and features guest artists such as Keola Beamer, Amy Hānaiali‘i and John Cruz.
Katie HellandSeptember 17, 2026
Hoʻolauleʻa, Mid-Autumn Festival, and more: Your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Listen to live music at Hoʻolauʻleʻa in Waikīkī, watch a sea turtle crafted from recycled cardboard float across the stage at Hawaiʻi Theatre, or create a lantern at the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinatown. Ready to make plans for the weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered!
Katie HellandSeptember 16, 2026
Legislation may be key to future of Satoru Abe sculpture at Aloha Stadium
The fate of a sculpture by Satoru Abe, a Guggenheim Fellow and well-known sculptor, painter and printmaker who died in 2025, was a subject of debate last week at the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ general board meeting. Commissioners discussed options to move or decommission the artwork.
Katie HellandSeptember 15, 2026
Chinatown 808's Mid-Autumn Festival returns
Also known as the Moon Festival, Chinatown 808’s Annual Mid-Autumn Festival includes a parade, lantern-making contest, and more than 30 food or craft vendors, plus activities for keiki and live entertainment. The festival is an opportunity to celebrate the moon and exchange wishes for good fortune.
Katie HellandSeptember 12, 2026
‘The Paper’ launches second season
Co-creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman and star Domhnall Gleeson spoke with Aloha State Daily about “The Paper,” a spinoff of the wildly popular sitcom “The Office.” The Peacock series, which has a Hawai'i-born executive producer, launched Season 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The mockumentary captures the struggles of a Midwestern paper and the people who break news.
Katie HellandSeptember 11, 2026
Megabon, music, and more: Your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Lots to choose from among O‘ahu events this weekend, from Megabon to the chance to eat Okinawan food, including andagi, at local restaurants. Here are some of the events happening this Friday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 13.
Katie HellandSeptember 08, 2026
HIFF announces first wave of festival films
Catch the Hawaiʻi premiere of “Drifter” and the world premiere of “Protecting Kahoʻolawe: 50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina” or “Making the Line,” among other films reaching new audiences for the first time at the upcoming Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. The first wave of films, which includes 15 titles, has been announced.
Katie HellandSeptember 08, 2026
‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ band back for stop in Honolulu journey
ʻHold on to that feelin’ ’— the legendary rock band Journey is heading to the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena one more time, Saturday, Sept. 5, Sunday, Sept. 6, and Tuesday, Sept. 8, for its “Final Frontier Tour 2026."
Katie HellandSeptember 06, 2026
Slack Key guitar sings at Waikīkī festival
The 44th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival - Waikīkī Style just wrapped up last weekend. The slack key guitar festivals started in honor of the legendary Gabby Pahinui already made stops on Maui and Oʻahu this year. The next stop? Hawaiʻi Island.
Katie HellandSeptember 04, 2026
Playwright seeks help with cancer battle
She wrote plays like “Talk-Story,” “Banyan,” “Walls” and “Buffaloʻed.” Now, this playwright — who lives in Hilo and has created more than 80 plays — needs help battling cancer bills.
Katie HellandSeptember 03, 2026
Catch Journey, football, and more: your guide to the weekend
Ready to make plans for Labor Day weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. From live performances from the legendary rock band Journey to catching the Rainbow Warriors at their first home football game, here are some of the events happening on Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 02, 2026
Dolly Parton in Hawaiʻi: Photos from the Hawaiʻi State Archives
Dolly Parton, who died last week, has a number of ties to the Islands, where she once operated a restaurant and owned a home. Staff at the Hawaiʻi State Archives found some historical photos of her time on Oʻahu to share with Aloha State Daily readers.
Katie HellandSeptember 01, 2026
Catch Hawaiʻi-made films on the big screen at Consolidated Theatres
Films featuring Hawaiʻi directors and actors will be at movie theaters across Oʻahu starting in September. Catch the new series, curated by the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, every other Wednesday.
Katie HellandAugust 29, 2026
New drink collaboration to make you say, Das' how
Comedian Tumua Tuinei talks about the coffee that kept him going when he started his career doing stand-up at Blue Note Hawaiʻi. Now, Honolulu Coffee Co. has created a drink inspired by his current national tour, “Dasʻ How,” which has stops on Maui and Kauaʻi next month.
Katie HellandAugust 28, 2026