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
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
7 ways to get your keiki out of the house this summer
Are your keiki home from school and looking for activities? Aloha State Daily has created this list of ideas of fun things to do, including encounters with submarines and sunflowers!
Katie HellandJune 19, 2025
Special exhibit on artist Mary Cassatt opens at Honolulu Museum of Art
Mary Cassatt is an American artist, who left her home in Philadelphia for Paris, where she joined the Impressionists. Her work focuses on the inner life of women and children performing daily activities in the mid to late 19th century. Starting this week, you can catch some of her visiting art, which is on loan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Katie HellandJune 19, 2025
Eight things to do on Oʻahu: Friday, June 20, to Sunday, June 22
Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do this weekend. From live music for adults to a petting zoo and movies for keiki, here's what happening on Oʻahu this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Katie HellandJune 18, 2025
David Hekili Kenui Bell, actor in “Lilo & Stitch” movie dies
He was part of Disney's live action remake of "Lilo & Stitch" where he drops his shave ice after encountering aliens. He also had roles in "Magnum P.I." and "Hawaiʻi Five-0."
Katie HellandJune 17, 2025
How to meet David Del Rocco, who writes biographies for Hawai'i keiki
This longtime teacher of Hawaiian culture at Punahou School is sharing the stories of Patsy Mink, Mary Kawena Pukui and Eddie Aikau with keiki. In addition to an upcoming meet-and-greet, heʻll be a storyteller at several public libraries this summer.
Katie HellandJune 17, 2025
Catch this “American Idol” contestant at Blue Note Hawai’i this month
New music, performances on O’ahu and a national tour with The War and Treaty are all in the works for this “American Idol” contestant with North Shore roots: Thunderstorm Artis.
Katie HellandJune 14, 2025
10 activities for keiki this summer
Do you have keiki in your life looking for fun ways to spend June and July? Aloha State Daily has rounded up some activities for them.
Katie HellandJune 13, 2025
Harry Potter movies return to big screens across Oʻahu
“Lumos!” Harry Potter fans can practice this and other spells as they watch the eight-movie series at Consolidated Theatres across Oʻahu this summer. The chance to indulge in wizardly magic in air conditioned theaters costs $5 per movie.
Katie HellandJune 12, 2025
Eight things to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15
Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do this weekend. From a butterfly tent at Ward Village to a scavenger hunt at Battleship Missouri Memorial, there are plenty of activities to keep the family busy this Father’s Day weekend.
Katie HellandJune 11, 2025
HSO harpist Constance Uejio to retire, you still have a chance to hear her play
This Oʻahu-based harpist will finish more than four decades with Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra in August. She is being recognized at the Masterworks concert finale featuring Brahms Symphony No. 1 on Sunday, June 15.
Katie HellandJune 11, 2025
“American Idol” winner Iam Tongi releases new single
This singer-songwriter with Kahuku roots just released new music. The cover is inspired by his relationship with his father and comes out just before Father’s Day.
Katie HellandJune 10, 2025
Nicole Scherzinger wins first Tony Award for lead actress
This Honolulu-born Native Hawaiian Ukrainian and Filipino actress won her first Tony Award for her performance in “Sunset Blvd” on Sunday, June 8. She took the stage to perform “As If We Never Said Goodbye” as part of the celebrations.
Katie HellandJune 10, 2025
American Savings Bank’s Loʻi Gallery highlights Kris Goto, seasons
Artist Kris Goto reflects on art, seasons and being brave. She also shares how surfing inspired her work.
Katie HellandJune 07, 2025
Free summer yoga near Battleship Missouri Memorial
The military community can enjoy free yoga on Tuesdays on the pier in front of the Battleship Missouri Memorial this summer. Participants must have base access.
Katie HellandJune 06, 2025
Auditions underway for "Hawaiʻi to the World" talent competition
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is seeking talent from the islands, Japan and the Mainland to be ambassadors of Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJune 06, 2025
New legislation strives to protect young movie stars, dancers and social media influencers
The governor has signed new legislation which aims to protect keiki actors and actresses by requiring trustees and guardians to place a percentage of their earnings in trusts that can be accessed when they are older.
Katie HellandJune 05, 2025
Waikīkī has a new magic show with rotating headliners
Magic Lee, the founder of Waikīkī’s Magical Parlour, grew up in Kalihi and picked up magic after watching a trick as a teenager. He performed magic as a bartender for Stevenson’s Library on Kauaʻi and a winery based in California, before starting this regular show in the heart of Waikīkī.
Katie HellandJune 04, 2025
3 things to do this weekend: Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8
Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do this weekend. From free performances by Johnny Suite and Irie Love at the Capitol Modern to a newly opened parlor with rotating guest magicians in Waikīkī, we’ve got fun activities for the entire family!
Katie HellandJune 04, 2025
Shangri La and Capitol Modern host Summer Solstice celebration
Capitol Modern and Shangri La are hosting a First Friday event celebrating the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 6. This event is part of a quarterly series and includes live performances from Johnny Suite and Irie Love.
Katie HellandJune 03, 2025
Win prizes for reading – and meet the artist behind this summer program
Kakaʻako-based artist Lauryn Gordines planned to become a teacher, but then moved into the fashion world. Today, she paints murals and recently designed art for the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System’s summer reading program.
Katie HellandJune 02, 2025