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

Veterans Day celebrations, 'Moana 2,' and more: what to do on Oʻahu this weekend
From cheering at a football game with a Military Night theme to visiting the special exhibit “I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience" at the Capitol Modern, there are lots of ways to celebrate Veterans Day. This weekend also marks an album release concert for “50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina,” which celebrates five decades of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Looking for a movie? Catch a free screening of "Moana 2" in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandNovember 10, 2026

Watch movies, drink wine, eat focaccia at this returning festival
The 2026 Italian Film Festival is back for its second year in Honolulu with three films over three days from Nov. 13 to 15 at the Doris Duke Theatre. The collaboration between the Friends of Italy Society of Hawaiʻi, the Honolulu Museum of Art, and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco returns this year with a new surprise for all moviegoers: focaccia and wine.
Katie HellandNovember 10, 2026

Mōʻiliʻili musician combines Pokémon with piano
This 23-year-old classical pianist’s upcoming performance shares songs from her debut album, “Not a Phone in Sight,” which takes music from video games, including Pokémon and Super Mario, and transforms it into jazz and neo-soul arrangements. Catch Christina Sochor's first headliner performance at Blue Note Hawaiʻi on Nov. 11.
Katie HellandNovember 07, 2026

Vladimir Ossipoff sketches up for auction
The original drawings of the architect behind buildings such as the Pacific Club, Outrigger Canoe Club, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy, Waikīkī Aquarium and more are up for auction this month.
Katie HellandNovember 06, 2026

Holiday shopping, music and more: Your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Ready to make plans for the weekend? From holiday shopping at local markets to Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival events, there is lots happening on Oʻahu this Friday, Nov. 6, Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8.
Katie HellandNovember 03, 2026

Creatives hui together for art
Almost 40 artists, including many who call the Islands home, are creating original art together as part of the Hawaiʻi Artist Collaboration. Alex Gupton is one of the featured artists, and shares some of the inspiration he has found in the program, which he first participated in more than a decade ago.
Katie HellandNovember 03, 2026

HI93ʻs Local Break Battle of the Bands holds grand finale
Watch local talent compete in this battle of the bands, which will pick a winner from four finalists at Capitol Modern’s First Friday on Nov. 6. Learn which bands will be competing for a chance to win eight hours of studio time.
Katie HellandOctober 31, 2026

Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana celebrates 50 years with album, concert
More than five decades ago, nine people evaded the U.S. Coast Guard to land on Kahoʻolawe and protest the bombing of a sacred space for Native Hawaiians. This year, the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana has been hosting events across the state to reignite the call for aloha ʻāina, or care for the land. In about two weeks, PKO is teaming up with Bishop Museum to celebrate the release of a new album that features mele about this place.
Katie HellandOctober 30, 2026

Horror and opera collide in 'The Shining'
Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre is bringing horror story “The Shining” to the stage at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall this week. Catch Lance and Flash Inouye, the father-and-son duo working together on this production.
Katie HellandOctober 29, 2026

Halloween, movies, and more: your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Halloween is creeping in. From where to eat to what to do, Aloha State Daily has compiled a list of ways to enjoy this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition to Halloween fun, catch screenings at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival or check out this new matcha spot that combines drinks with cookies.
Katie HellandOctober 28, 2026

Opera singer Ta’u Pupu’a stars in film with Hawaiʻi premiere
This NFL defensive lineman’s career took a noteworthy turn when he decided to become an opera singer. Now that story is captured in the short film “The Platform,” which will have its Hawaiʻi premiere this week.
Katie HellandOctober 27, 2026

When music meets ʻohana: In tune with the Lau family
Anne and Milton Lau have organized slack key guitar festivals across Hawaiʻi for more than 40 years. The festival founders share how three generations of family celebrate the tradition of kī-hōʻalu, or slack key guitar, and keep a musical tradition alive.
Katie HellandOctober 24, 2026
Street art soon on display at Bishop Museum
Ready to dive into how modern street art and hip-hop culture got started? Tickets are now available online for a special exhibit called “Under/Ground" by World Wide Walls, which opens to the public on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Bishop Museum.
Katie HellandOctober 23, 2026

What to know about HIFF 2026
The Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, which starts this week, features 84 films, including 34 world premieres, and new cinema from the Islands, Asia, the Pacific and around the world. HIFF’s new executive director Jean Lee shares what she's most excited about.
Katie HellandOctober 22, 2026

Movies, music and more: your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Ready to plan the weekend? From the start of the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival to Spooky Season highlights, here are some of the events happening on Oʻahu on Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25.
Katie HellandOctober 21, 2026

Battle of the Bands is back
Three Indie/alternative rock groups will compete in HI93 Hawaiʻi’s Local Hits’ Local Break, Battle of the Bands on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Catch the music live at Secret Spot Honolulu in Waikīkī.
Katie HellandOctober 19, 2026

Winners named for Hula O Nā Keiki Competition
The Hula O Nā Keiki Competition was held on Maui and has named its winners for Miss Hula O Nā Keiki 2026 and Master Hula O Nā Keiki 2026. Read the full list of honorees.
Katie HellandOctober 17, 2026

Wailuku Film Festival returns for second year
Catch screenings of films focused on Hawaiʻi, Indigenous voices, watersports, animation, ocean conservation and more as part of the second Wailuku Film Festival, which will return to Maui in June of 2027. Learn more about plans for the second festival and how the event impacts local businesses.
Katie HellandOctober 16, 2026

Sonny Lim reflects on new album, upcoming festival
Born and raised in Kohala, Sonny Lim, a slack key guitar master, will be one of more than a dozen artists sharing music at the 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style on Hawaiʻi Island this weekend. His newest solo album, “Hoene,” recently won the Nā Hoku Hanohano Award for 2026 Slack Key Album of the Year.
Katie HellandOctober 15, 2026

Aloha Tower, Pride parade and ʻukulele tune-ups: 10 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Ready to make plans for the weekend? From celebrating 100 years of Aloha Tower to the Honolulu Pride Parade, there are lots of opportuntities to get outside this Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18. Don’t miss the guide for spooky season activities, and get ready for some Halloween fun.
Katie HellandOctober 14, 2026

Spooky season with Taimane at Hawaiʻi Theatre
The ʻukulele virtuoso will play her newest album “Liʻulā,” along with some of her greatest hits, and Halloween medleys at Hawaiʻi Theatre later this month.
Katie HellandOctober 12, 2026