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.
Latest from Katie Helland

Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch” actor stars in local theater production
“Outlandish,” a new play about the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird and her encounter with King Lunalilo had its world premiere on the stage of Kumu Kahua Theatre this month. Joining the cast is actor Kaipo Dudoit, who spoke with Aloha State Daily about how he gets into character for the role of King Lunalilo.
Katie HellandNovember 14, 2025

New library underway in Upper Puna
The community broke ground on construction of this approximately $20 million facility this week. Construction of the project is expected to take at least two years.
Katie HellandNovember 13, 2025

Kumu Kahua Theatre starts book club
Want to read about the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird? Join Honolulu readers in learning about her adventures through a new book club at Kumu Kahua Theatre.
Katie HellandNovember 13, 2025

Honolulu Restaurant Week, music from The Beatles, comedy and more: Friday, Nov. 14 – Sunday, Nov. 16
Ready to eat? Or listen to a string quartet play music from The Beatles? Aloha State Daily has you covered! We rounded up some ways to enjoy the weekend.
Katie HellandNovember 12, 2025

City Lights announces tree lighting ceremony
There is a new tree in town at Honolulu Hale. The 55-foot tree is part of Honolulu City Lights, which begins Saturday, Nov. 29. This year, the theme is “Navigating by the Stars.”
Katie HellandNovember 10, 2025

"Hawaiʻi to the World": Hawaiian Council announces chance to be in show's live audience
A new television show premieres this month that will feature Island talent competing for a $10,000 prize. Learn more about the chance to be part of the live audience for the finale and auditions of talent from Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu.
Katie HellandNovember 08, 2025

Inside: A Night at the Museum with Iona
Cheryl Flaharty, the founder and artistic director of Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, takes Aloha State Daily behind-the-scenes of its upcoming free First Friday event at the Capitol Modern. Flaharty wanted to be a jazz dancer before she took a life-changing contemporary dance class at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Katie HellandNovember 07, 2025

Battle of the Bands and Comedians: tickets on sale for next round
HI93 FM Hawaiʻi’s Local Hits is hosting a battle of the bands and comedians. The fourth round of competition is this Sunday, Nov. 9. In just a few weeks, five bands and five comedians will come together for the finals of the competition, held Friday, Nov. 21, at The Gatsby in Kakaʻako.
Katie HellandNovember 06, 2025

A Night at the Museum, battle of the bands, and more: Friday, Nov. 7- Sunday, Nov. 9
Looking for fun weekend plans? Watch Prince Kūhiōʻs 40-foot racing canoe return to the water after a decade on land or check out Capitol Modern’s First Friday event, where dancers from Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre bring the museum's galleries, courtyard and lobby to life. It is also a Kamaʻāina Sunday for ʻIolani Palace, which means free entry for Hawaiʻi residents.
Katie HellandNovember 04, 2025

Kill Tuco releases new song “Mars (Congratulations)”
This alternative rock band Kill Tuco is set to release new music this week. Learn more about the band and its upcoming show at Proof Social Club on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Katie HellandNovember 03, 2025

Prince Kūhiō’s racing canoe returns to water after decade on land
This racing canoe is headed back to the ocean. Learn more about it and its recent role in an exhibit at the Bishop Museum.
Katie HellandNovember 01, 2025

“Defining Courage” returns to Hawai’i
This live show honors the Japanese American soldiers of World War II. "Defining Courage" was previously at Hawai'i Theatre on O'ahu in 2023. Now, the immersive live show is back on two islands: O'ahu and Maui.
Katie HellandOctober 31, 2025

Wreath submissions open soon for display at Honolulu Hale
Looking to share your creativity with the local community? Contestants in this holiday wreath contest will have their work on display at Honolulu Hale. This year, the theme of the contest is: navigating the stars.
Katie HellandOctober 29, 2025

Halloween, Día de los Muertos and more: Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 2
Ready to plan your Halloween fun? Aloha State Daily has compiled a guide for Halloween that includes snacks, trick or treat plans and a haunted mansion, in addition to at least one way to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
Katie HellandOctober 29, 2025
Students paint mural along Kamehameha Highway
High school students from three schools came together to paint a large mural in Waipio. They were led by the community artists Blythe Yoshikane Simpliciano, Jesse Velasquez and Solomon Enos. Learn more about the painting that took place on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26.
Katie HellandOctober 28, 2025

Photos: Aloha to Aloha Stadium
The a hui hou event for Aloha Stadium included a line-up of Island and reggae music, including The Mākaha Sons, Henry Kapono, Ekolu and more.
Katie HellandOctober 28, 2025

Henry Kapono, Ekolu, The Mākaha Sons, and more celebrate Aloha Stadium
Musicians came together to share more than five hours of Island and reggae music for this a hui hou event to honor Aloha Stadium. Hear from Henry Kapono and other artists who performed that night.
Katie HellandOctober 27, 2025

“Sharing Aloha” now streaming on Amazon Prime Video
This documentary, filmed almost entirely on O’ahu, is now headed for an international streaming service: Amazon Prime Video. Learn more about the film, which was showing in Consolidated Theatres in August.
Katie HellandOctober 25, 2025

Hawai'i International Film Festival announces winners
The Hawaiʻi International Film Festival named winners in a number of categories this week, including its Made in Hawaiʻi awards. Learn about the films and how to catch encore screenings of them on Oʻahu and Neighbor Islands.
Katie HellandOctober 24, 2025
Battle of the Bands and Comedians: Tickets on sale now
Up-and-coming bands and comedians are competing in a new event in Honolulu this week. The second round of competition takes place in Kailua on Saturday, Oct. 25. The winner earns a spot in the finals next month.
Katie HellandOctober 24, 2025

Free plants: tomatoes, lettuce, basil and more!
Grow a garden at home using seeds developed by university researchers and local farmers. Learn more about how to get seeds to grow tomatoes, sweet peas, lettuce and more all from the comfort of home with help from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.
Katie HellandOctober 24, 2025

New music from heaven: Dennis Kamakahi album debuts Oct. 24
The award-winning slack-key guitarist Dennis Kamakahi wrote hundreds of songs. This week, an album of seven original songs will be released more than a decade after his death. The music comes from his personal recordings and notes.
Katie HellandOctober 24, 2025

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