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

Artists take history and “put it in a song” for upcoming Oʻahu concert
How do you share a message in Hawaiʻi? Through music and dance, according to Berkeley-based Kumu Hula Māhealani Uchiyama. She will join Grammy winner Kalani Peʻa and a number of Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners to perform songs from the new album, “Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience & Joy,” which celebrates the stories of people of African descent in Hawaiian history.
Katie HellandAugust 09, 2025

Photographing ʻThe Eddieʻ : John Hook takes us behind the lens
If you’ve watched The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, you’ve seen photographers bobbing in the waves to capture iconic images of surfers from around the world. On Friday, Aug. 8, several photographers, including Oʻahu-based John Hook, will share what it is like to capture photos from the water. Hook reflects on how he got started, as well why these photographers wear helmets.
Katie HellandAugust 08, 2025

State Librarian shares plans for Wahiawā Public Library
Learn about outdoor reading spaces and the children’s area planned for the new Wahiawā Public Library.
Katie HellandAugust 07, 2025
Honolulu remembers Hiroshima and Nagasaki with film, music
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there will be a film projection at Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium on Wednesday and a musical performance at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Kennedy Theatre on Saturday.
Katie HellandAugust 07, 2025

Blue Angels, photography and a full moon: Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10
From watching the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to meeting photographers for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, there is plenty to do on Oʻahu this weekend. Aloha State Daily rounded up a list of ideas, so you don’t have to.
Katie HellandAugust 06, 2025

Kāneʻohe Bay Air Show: 8 things to know
Planes and automobiles are just part of the attractions at the Kāneʻohe Bay Air Show, which will be held this Friday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 10. The free event allows attendees the chance to explore military aircrafts and listen to live music. Here are tips for the event this weekend, which organizers estimate will draw 100,000 people over three days.
Katie HellandAugust 05, 2025

Listen to Paula Fuga and help Lahaina rebuild
The Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning singer and songwriter Paula Fuga will perform one of her favorite songs, “No Place like Home,” at the Maui Music & Food Experience on Aug. 15 and 16. She reflected on music ahead of the benefit concert to support Hua Momona Foundation’s mission to combat food insecurity, accelerate the Lahaina rebuild after the wildfires and cultivate the music scene for youth on Maui.
Katie HellandAugust 02, 2025

“Chief of War” premieres on Apple TV+
The television mini-series was written and executive produced by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett. It was filmed in New Zealand and Hawaiʻi. Producers Angie Laprete and Brian Keaulana spoke with Aloha State Daily ahead of the premiere.
Katie HellandAugust 01, 2025

Producers share details of Hawaiʻi Film Alliance
Hawaiʻi Film Alliance, a group that launched July 14, is working to bring more productions to the Islands. Aloha State Daily spoke with Angie Laprete and Brian Keaulana, who are founding members of the alliance and also part of team working on "Chief of War."
Katie HellandAugust 01, 2025

Listen to the Mike Love song people quit their jobs over
Raised on Oʻahu, Mike Love brings island music to audiences around the world. On Thursday, July 31, the singer who brought music lovers “Permanent Holiday” will play two solo shows at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi. Love spoke with Aloha State Daily about the song that went viral on YouTube and his 2025 Tour Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJuly 31, 2025

Watch “Chief of War” and participate in festivals: Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3
Looking for things to do this weekend? From festivals to the premiere of “Chief of War,” Aloha State Daily has got you covered for island entertainment. Here are a few activities happening Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3.
Katie HellandJuly 30, 2025

Artists remember George Brooks Veikoso, known as Fiji
Singers, songwriters and actors honored “the king of island-reggae music" in posts on social media and at concerts. George Brooks Veikoso, known as Fiji, moved to Hawaiʻi when he was a teenager.
Katie HellandJuly 29, 2025
‘Ohina Labs seeks applicants for annual filmmakers workshop
Do you have a story to tell? Do you live in Hawaiʻi? If you answered yes to these questions, you might be a match for ʻOhina Labs, an Oʻahu-based filmmakersʻ workshop, which pairs writers of short scripts with mentors in the entertainment industry.
Katie HellandJuly 25, 2025

Kapenaʻs founder shares preview of show with Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
Island music will meet an orchestra with a one-night performance this Aloha Friday. Kelly Boy De Lima, founder of the band, Kapena, shared details about its upcoming show with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra at the Tom Moffat Waikīkī Shell on Friday, July 25. The band includes three generations of family, including De Lima, several of his children and his grandson.
Katie HellandJuly 24, 2025

What to do this weekend on Oʻahu: Friday, July 25, to Sunday, July 27
Enjoy live music, $3 sushi, and back-to-school offers this weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The band Kapena will perform alongside the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra on Friday, July 25. The following day, keiki can also enjoy free school supplies and haircuts on a first-come, first-served basis through Child & Family Service.
Katie HellandJuly 23, 2025

New music from North Shore brothers Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm
This duo of brothers just released the new song, “You Should Be,” on June 30. Their voices are also featured in Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch” movie, where they performed “Burning Love.”
Katie HellandJuly 22, 2025

“American Idol” winner Iam Tongi reflects on “Sunshine” and “Lilo & Stitch”
Iam Tongi, who grew up in Kahuku, just had his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. In 2023, he became the first Pacific Islander to win “American Idol.” In the past few months, he released several songs, including “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” in Disney’s live action version of “Lilo & Stitch.” In an exclusive Q+A with Aloha State Daily, Tongi reflects on positivity, recent milestones, and advice from his auntie.
Katie HellandJuly 21, 2025

Jake Shimabukuro has four shows at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi this week
This ʻukulele virtuoso has shows in Honolulu next week. Read about his recent Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards and his award-winning collaboration with Mick Fleetwood, the leader of the rock band Fleetwood Mac.
Katie HellandJuly 20, 2025

Oʻahu-based 8RO8 shares inspiration for new single, “On Sight”
What is the sound of aloha? 8RO8 is one artist here to find out. He grew up in Mākaha and pursued music after high school, while working at McDonald’s. Now, he has more than 230,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Learn about his new song, “On Sight,” released July 1.
Katie HellandJuly 17, 2025

6 weekend activities for $3 or less
Aloha State Daily has compiled a list of events and activities happening this Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20. Looking for live music and opportunities to walk, talk and shop? We have you covered!
Katie HellandJuly 16, 2025

Molokai luthier Eric DeVine to share building process
The owner of DeVine Guitars and ʻUkuleles picked up the profession of building instruments after taking a community college class on the Mainland. Today, his custom guitars and ʻukulele designs feature woods from around the world, along with opals, emeralds and black coral.
Katie HellandJuly 15, 2025