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

Mosaic artists on display at the Loʻi Gallery this week
Tanja Browne and Leah Kilpatrick Rigg make tile mosaics with Island themes. For Browne, the projects keep things — including old used surfboards — out of the landfill, giving them new life as art.
Katie HellandOctober 23, 2025

Molokai’s Kamalani Pico reflects on “Oʻahu Shores”
Kamalani Pico grew up on Molokai and knows how to hunt and fish. She also knows glam. Pico shares her journey to becoming a model and clothing designer, as well as one of eight stars on the new reality television series, “Oʻahu Shores,” which launched Oct. 9.
Katie HellandOctober 22, 2025

Slack key guitar, Filipino Food Week and more: Friday, Oct. 24 – Sunday, Oct. 26
Ready for the weekend? Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do with the ʻohana, including opportunities to eat delicious food and catch the premieres of several movies. There are also several slack key guitar events and the final concert at Aloha Stadium.
Katie HellandOctober 22, 2025

Allright Family Band and friends announce Blaisdell Concert Hall performance
The Allright Family Band is back for a one-night-only performance with friends including performers from Hawaiʻi, Canada and Las Vegas at the Neil S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on Friday, Nov. 14. Learn more about what inspired this concert and new music set to release next week.
Katie HellandOctober 18, 2025

Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival returns this weekend
Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival will take place this Saturday, October 18. Learn more about this event plus others produced by Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation and its partners this Thursday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, October. 19.
Katie HellandOctober 17, 2025

How Kanaka Fyah’s Randin Napeahi wrote “Only Jah Jah Knows”
Randin Napeahi, a singer and songwriter for the Hawaiʻi Island-based band Kanaka Fyah, wrote the group’s No. 1 hit on the way home from a gig while the band was on Saddle Road. The Hawaiʻi Island-based band is headed to Oʻahu this week to perform at the Holo Holo Music Festival.
Katie HellandOctober 17, 2025

Producer reflects as Holo Holo Music Festival expands to Oʻahu
Holo Holo Music Festival is expanding to its first event on Oʻahu this week. Dan Sheehan, co-owner of the festival's production company Good Vibez Presents, shared how the festival started and what it means to be holding this event in the Islands.
Katie HellandOctober 16, 2025

Your guide to the first Holo Holo Music Festival on Oʻahu
Ready to listen to some island and reggae music? This weekend, you can catch The Green, Josh Tatofi, J Boog, KatchaFire and more on Oahu in three days.
Katie HellandOctober 15, 2025

Three things to do Friday, Oct. 17 to Sunday, Oct. 19
Are you planning for the weekend? Aloha State Daily rounded up festivals that involve music and movies, plus some scary Halloween fun. Experiences start at all different price points, including free!
Katie HellandOctober 15, 2025

Broadway in Hawaiʻi presents “Chicago The Musical”
The Tony Award-winning musical is in Honolulu for eight performances in early December. Learn the cast, show times and production team.
Katie HellandOctober 11, 2025
Taimane Gardner releases new song, “Pīkake Princess”
As a kid, she got an ʻukulele and pretended to be a rock star. Today, she actually is one. The ʻukulele virtuoso who hails from ʻĀina Haina can play classics from the opera “Carmen” and rock music by Led Zeppelin. She also writes her own music inspired by the Islands she calls home. Her newest song, “Pīkake Princess” releases today.
Katie HellandOctober 10, 2025

Haunted experiences on Oʻahu
Ready to be scared? Aloha State Daily rounded up five options for haunted fun on Oʻahu at all different price points, from free to $38. Check out options in Kakaʻako, Waipahu and more.
Katie HellandOctober 09, 2025

Peacock launches new television series “Oʻahu Shores”
The show premieres Oct. 9 and focuses on the relationships between eight friends living on Oʻahu. Watch the trailer and learn more about the series.
Katie HellandOctober 09, 2025

Your guide to a faboolous Halloween on Oʻahu
What do a haunted mansion, a costume contest for surfers and pumpkin palooza have in common? The three events are happening on Oʻahu this month! Learn more about 20 fun activities related to pumpkins, Halloween and autumn planned for October.
Katie HellandOctober 08, 2025

Broadway producer and Hawaiian Council partner on new musical
The production shares the story of Hiʻiaka, who sets out on a journey to find the lover of her sister, Pele. The new production, which was created through a partnership between WitzEnd Productions and Hawaiian Council, will have its world premiere this week.
Katie HellandOctober 07, 2025

Filmmaker with Hawaiʻi roots shares story of Samoan writer Sia Figiel
Kimberlee Bassford, director of “Before the Moon Falls,” is showcasing her work at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. Her work is one of several nominated for the festival’s Made in Hawaiʻi Award for a feature film.
Katie HellandOctober 06, 2025

Meet two HIFF filmmakers nominated for Made in Hawaiʻi awards
Ricky-Thomas Serikawa, the director of “Back to the Loko,” and Alex Bocchieri, the director of “Dasher,” are showcasing their work at the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. Their films are nominated for the festival’s Made in Hawaiʻi short film award.
Katie HellandOctober 04, 2025

Art contest for keiki open for submissions
Young artists have a chance to win cash prizes and showcase their artwork at Capitol Modern. Submissions opened Oct. 1. Winners of the regional competition get a chance to compete at the national level.
Katie HellandOctober 03, 2025

Ghost tour company ranks No. 1 in nation
Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui run this ghost tour company, which was just named the best in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The company has been named No. 1 on the list for three years in a row.
Katie HellandOctober 02, 2025

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