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
Waimānalo Beach Parkʻs campgrounds get new name
Learn about the groundskeeper, George Keʻa Mahoe Jr., who was honored this week by the Department of Parks and Recreation for a 40-year career working at beach parks across East Oʻahu.
Katie HellandJuly 12, 2025
Insect-A-Palooza flies into Honolulu
Do your keiki love insects? This event, presented by Patagonia Honolulu and the University of Hawaiʻi Insect Museum, gives kids of all ages a chance to learn about native bugs.
Katie HellandJuly 11, 2025
"Sharing Aloha" documentary to premiere next month
The film shares the stories of student workers who perform at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The nonprofit attraction's ticket sales cover daily operations and support the education of student employees at the nearby Brigham Young University - Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJuly 11, 2025
Mayor appoints new executive director for office of culture and the arts
She will lead arts and culture initiatives through strategic and community-informed programing for the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts for the City and County of Honolulu.
Katie HellandJuly 10, 2025
ʻUkulele virtuosos from across the world to headline festival
Love ʻukulele music? This free concert's headliners include Taimane Gardner, Herb Ohta Jr. and Kazuyuki Sekiguchi.
Katie HellandJuly 10, 2025
10 things to do on Oʻahu: Friday, July 11, to Sunday, July 13
From tea with butterflies to live music, Aloha State Daily has you covered. Here are just a sampling of fun activities you can pursue across Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandJuly 09, 2025
Kauaʻi mayor declares 'Sydney Elizebeth Agudong Day'
The Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau hosted events to celebrate the live action remake of “Lilo & Stitch.” As part of the activities, the mayor for the County of Kauaʻi honored this Kauaʻi-born actress for her role in the film.
Katie HellandJuly 09, 2025
Australian director brings “Side by Side by Sondheim” to Mānoa Valley Theatre
The show’s director and choreographer, James Wright, gives readers a preview of the plot and shares what sets this production apart from others.
Katie HellandJuly 07, 2025
Honolulu-based author wins national award
Alice Inoue is a life coach, business founder and astrologer. The award-winning author just added another accolade to her career, an award for her newest book “Daily Mindful Moments: A Year of Life Wisdom.”
Katie HellandJuly 04, 2025
Ballet Hawaiʻi's “Reflections in Motion" showcase features students, alongside professionals
Ballet Hawaiʻi is hosting a summer intensive for students that brings experts in dance from across the country to Oʻahu for four weeks. Here is how you can get tickets to the one-night dance showcase featuring classical ballet, as well as Broadway-inspired choreography.
Katie HellandJuly 03, 2025
Parker Ranch to host rodeo and horse races on July 4
Start the holiday weekend with a visit to Waimea, where Parker Ranch is hosting its 61st annual rodeo and races. Fifth generation rancher DeeDee Keakealani Bertelmann shares the history of the event and tips on how to get good seats and navigate the weather.
Katie HellandJuly 03, 2025
New deputy director named for Honolulu's Department of Enterprise Services
The new hire replaces Tracy Kubota, who retired last month after a 30-year career in public service. The department manages several entertainment venues, including the Neal S. Blaisdell Center and the Tom Moffat Waikīkī Shell.
Katie HellandJuly 02, 2025
Bloomberg Philanthropies selects Honolulu as finalist in global competition
The City and County of Honolulu will receive $50,000 to prototype a program that would add new rooftops and community gardens to public places, including its new rail line, as part of a plan to grow fresh produce for underserved populations.
Katie HellandJuly 01, 2025
Oʻahu fireworks: your preview for July 4
Looking for fireworks that crackle and shimmer in the night sky on Independence Day? Aloha State Daily has you covered. We have rounded up possible shows for you and the keiki to enjoy from Waikīkī to the North Shore.
Katie HellandJune 30, 2025
5 ways to celebrate the July 4 weekend (mostly without fireworks)
Aloha State Daily has rounded up some ways to enjoy the long weekend with music, rodeo activities, horse races and pool time. Make your plans now! The weekend is just a few days away.
Katie HellandJune 29, 2025
Disney announces second live action “Lilo & Stitch” movie
The statement from Walt Disney Studios arrives as the original live action remake, which launched in theaters about a month ago, approaches $1 billion in sales worldwide. The live action movie features local talent, including Hawaiʻi Island-born Maia Kealoha, as Lilo, and Kauai-born Sydney Agudong as Nani, her older sister.
Katie HellandJune 26, 2025
Kalaʻe Parish just won 5 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards
You can watch Kala’e + Kalena, the award-winning husband-and-wife duo, perform at the Waimea Valley Summer Concert Series and Kāneʻohe Night Market this weekend. ASD asked Parish about what inspires his music and how it felt to be recognized.
Katie HellandJune 26, 2025
7 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, June 27, to Sunday, June 29
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday are filled with musical performances, including one featuring singer Kalaʻe Parish, who won five Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards last weekend. Also performing this weekend is Maoli, the island reggae and country band taking “Last Sip of Summer” on an international tour that includes two nights in Honolulu.
Katie HellandJune 25, 2025
And the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award goes to ...
Missed the live stream for the 48th annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards? Learn who won Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and more.
Katie HellandJune 24, 2025
Chef Angie Lee shares what to expect at Seisuke Knife Festival Hawaiʻi this Sunday
This sushi chef who launched Tsuki Maki, an omakase-style pop-up concept in Hawaiʻi and Japan, will demonstrate how to make oshizushi, or pressed sushi, at the inaugural festival on Oʻahu.
Katie HellandJune 24, 2025
Producer gives inside scoop on 'Six,ʻ the Broadway musical touring Honolulu this month
Kevin McCollum, the producer of “Rent,” brings a new musical, “Six” to Honolulu. McCollum has produced three shows that have gone on to win Tony Awards for Best Musical: “Rent” (1996), “Avenue Q” (2004), and “In the Heights” (2008). “Six,” presented by Broadway in Hawaiʻi, runs at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall through June 29 and explores the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII. McCollum shares how growing up in Hawaiʻi influenced his career.
Katie HellandJune 21, 2025