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

Hawaiʻi Film Alliance hosts legislative briefing
Ahead of the opening of the 2026 legislative session, the Hawai'i Film Alliance is hosting a group of speakers to share classroom-style briefings designed to help industry professionals understand key issues.
Katie HellandJanuary 09, 2026

What to know about 'The Wrecking Crew' starring Jason Momoa
The new movie launches this month, featuring Momoa and Dave Bautista, who play estranged brothers brought together by the death of their father. The story is set in the Islands.
Katie HellandJanuary 08, 2026

Portrait exhibit visits Oʻahu from Maui
The Schaefer Portrait Challenge takes place every three years at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. The exhibit recently traveled to Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, where it will be on special display for the next seven months.
Katie HellandJanuary 07, 2026

Your guide to the weekend: Friday, Jan. 9, to Sunday, Jan. 11
Dreaming of weekend plans? Aloha State Daily can help. We did the research and compiled a list events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which range from live music featuring The Green, Johnny Valentine and 3 Little Birds, to a new exhibit at Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum.
Katie HellandJanuary 07, 2026

Nālani Kanakaʻole, revered kumu hula and cultural matriarch, has died
She was the youngest daughter of Edith Kanakaʻole, the founder of Hālau o Kekuhi and for whom the stadium used for Merrie Monarch is named. She also co-founded Sig Zane Designs in 1985 with her husband, Sig Zane.
Katie HellandJanuary 06, 2026
And the Greenlight Award goes to...
Nonprofit ʻOhina gave one writer participating in its filmmaker workshop the green light for funding and production support to transform her script into a short film.
Katie HellandJanuary 05, 2026
City seeks applications for Lei Court
Want to be king or queen? The City and County of Honolulu is seeking its Lei Court for 2026. Applications are available now and must be postmarked by Friday, Jan. 23.
Katie HellandJanuary 03, 2026

Downtown Art Center signs five-year deal
A nonprofit that offers exhibit space, classrooms for arts education and a gift shop with local artwork just signed a deal with the City and County of Honolulu to continue its work in the Chinatown/Downtown area for the next few years.
Katie HellandJanuary 03, 2026

Your guide to the weekend: Friday, Jan. 2 – Sunday, Jan. 4
Highlights of activities on Oʻahu this weekend include opportunities for bargain shopping through Fukubukuro mystery bags, in addition to dance and yoga classes, plus a workshop that teaches how to crochet lei.
Katie HellandDecember 30, 2025

Honolulu City Lights: last day extended
Missed the Honolulu City Lights? You can still catch them. The displays will be open to the public a few extra days this year due to “recent inclement weather,” according to representatives of the City and County of Honolulu.
Katie HellandDecember 29, 2025

Arts & Entertainment's top 12 stories of 2025
Aloha State Daily rounded up some of the most-read stories in Arts & Entertainment for 2025. This year, musicians who grew up on the Islands won a Grammy, competed in “American Idol” and sang the soundtrack for Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch.” Here are the headlines that resonated most with readers.
Katie HellandDecember 26, 2025

Get tickets to first Wayfind Music Festival
This event at the Capitol Modern brings together kānaka voices. Featured artists include Lōʻihi Records' Pulitzer Prize-finalist Leilehua Lanzilotti and headliner T.J. Keanu Tario, as well as Grammy Award-winners Kalia Vandever and Andrew Yee.
Katie HellandDecember 24, 2025

26 places to party for 2026: New Year’s Eve on O’ahu
Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year! Looking to ring in 2026 on Oʻahu? Here are 26 events, listed by neighborhood, happening between ʻEwa Beach and Hawaiʻi Kai.
Katie HellandDecember 23, 2025

5 Island takes on Christmas songs
It is December! That means it is time to turn up the holiday music, from classics like “Mele Kalikimaka” featuring Bing Crosby and Iam Tongi to “O Holy Night” from Thunderstorm Artis. Here are some takes on holiday music from artists rooted in the Islands.
Katie HellandDecember 22, 2025
Inaugural song contest names winner with North Shore roots
The finalists for the first Nā Pua Mele o Hawai‘i Song Contest took the stage at the Blue Note Hawai’i this week, where they sang for a live audience. Meet the contest’s winner, who takes home a cash prize plus a recording session and a scholarship for voice lessons at a business or nonprofit of their choice.
Katie HellandDecember 19, 2025

The doctor is in! (a holiday ensemble)
These Kaiser doctors have a few notes for their patients. Musical notes, that is. To spread holiday cheer, they are giving free concerts to patients and staff at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center this month.
Katie HellandDecember 18, 2025

What to do this weekend on Oʻahu
Aloha State Daily rounded up things to do this weekend, including ice skating, watching parades and ordering your favorite holiday treats. Check out this guide to the holidays on Friday, Dec. 19, Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21.
Katie HellandDecember 17, 2025

Kapono’s at The Lounge debuts with New Year’s Eve events
Three performance spaces will come alive in Hawaiʻi Kai on Dec. 31 as part of a collaboration between Henry Kapono Ka'aihue, Henry Kapono Foundation, and The Lounge at Island Sound Studios.
Katie HellandDecember 16, 2025

“Hawaiʻi to the World” has a winner
The winner of “Hawaiʻi to the World” is an Oʻahu-based artist, who is also a cultural practioner and a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and The Juilliard School. Learn more about the winner of this new talent competition.
Katie HellandDecember 15, 2025

ʻĀina Haina Public Library adds robot to staff
Pepper the Robot is the newest addition to a library in East Oʻahu. Staff shared a robot demonstration where Pepper answered questions on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Katie HellandDecember 11, 2025

5 places to carb load for the Honolulu Marathon on a budget
Looking to load up on carbs a few days before running the marathon? Aloha State Daily put together a list of places you can find noodles leading up to the race.
Katie HellandDecember 11, 2025