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
Slack key guitar, a Powwow and more: your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
Catch slack key guitar under the stars at a festival that benefits the Waikīkī Aquarium or go bananas with an event themed around a popular tropical fruit. Looking for plans for this Friday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 30? Aloha State Daily is sharing some ways to celebrate the weekend.
Katie HellandAugust 26, 2026
Hawaiʻi remembers Dolly Parton and ʻMy Hawaiʻiʻ
The singer, songwriter and actress with Appalachia roots had a career that spanned seven decades. She also had a special love for Hawaiʻi, where she once owned a home, operated a restaurant, and performed.
Katie HellandAugust 26, 2026
Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search names winner
This talent search had finalists perform at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival. Learn which groups performed and who won a paid contract at Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort.
Katie HellandAugust 25, 2026
Vote to keep Oʻahu contestants on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Three singers with ties to the Islands are quarterfinalists on “America’s Got Talent.” You can help them advance. Learn more about their music and when they will take the stage.
Katie HellandAugust 24, 2026
For Kaua’i pet biz: Anything is paw-sible
This Garden Isle entrepreneur will have five suitcases of alohawear for pets at the Made in Hawai’i Festival this weekend. Learn about the dog that inspired the designs, which are love at fur-st sight for some shoppers.
Katie HellandAugust 21, 2026
Waiākea High School student wants to bring symphony to Hilo
Keira Ida Ayu, who is a high school senior, is raising funds to bring the state orchestra, Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, to her hometown of Hilo. A musician herself, she wants keiki who call Hawaiʻi Island home to have a chance to experience symphonic music without getting on a plane. Here's how you can help.
Katie HellandAugust 21, 2026
Moses Goods brings one-man show 'Duke' to Waikīkī
This one-night-only show at Blue Note Hawaiʻi will then move to Neighbor Islands, including a premiere on Kauaʻi and in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island. The actor, movie star and cultural practitioner shares his inspiration for the story and how he gets into character.
Katie HellandAugust 20, 2026
Duke’s Ocean Fest, Perry & the Posse Show, Made in Hawaiʻi and more: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Watch surfboard water polo, listen to live music or shop more than 800 local vendors at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival this weekend. Ready to make plans? Here are 10 things you can do on Oʻahu this Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23.
Katie HellandAugust 19, 2026
Taimane drops new music
The Maui Music & Food Experience returns for its third year this weekend with Oʻahu-based ʻukulele virtuoso Taimane as one of its headliners. The singer and songwriter will release her new album, "Li’ulā," the day she performs.
Katie HellandAugust 18, 2026
Kani Ka Pila Grille announces finalists for talent search
Looking to catch some Hawaiian music at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival? Stop by the Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 22, to see the finalists for the 19th annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. The winner of the contest gets a paid performance contract at Kani Ka Pila Grille, which is part of Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort.
Katie HellandAugust 15, 2026
“Kuleana” shares story of aloha ʻāina
Sara Kehaulani Goo, a journalist and news executive, writes about her family’s journey to protect ancestral lands and her experience living in the diaspora as part of her debut memoir “Kuleana.” She also shares the details of her first visit to the Pi'ilanihale Heiau, when she was 8 years old.
Katie HellandAugust 14, 2026
Bishop Museum opens auction for E Ulu A Paʻa
This annual fundraiser for the museum includes a gala with keynote speakers Sig and Kūhaʻo Zane, as well as an online auction with more than 80 items, including behind-the-scenes tours of Bishop Museum.
Katie HellandAugust 13, 2026
UPDATED: Laughs, carnivals and more: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend
From the ʻEwa Carnival to a preview of the “Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals,” which features a violinist, harpist and ballet dancer, there are lots of things to do on Oʻahu this weekend. Check out Aloha State Daily's guide to this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (See article for notes on storm cancellations.)
Katie HellandAugust 12, 2026
Now streaming: 'ʻAuana' soundtrack
John Signor, band leader of "ʻAuana," Cirque du Soleil's first resident production in Hawaiʻi, shares his favorite song in the show and how lyrics in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi add levels of meaning to the storytelling.
Katie HellandAugust 11, 2026
'The Queen’s Will' premieres in Honolulu
The world premiere of a new play, “The Queen’s Will,” is headed for Kumu Kahua Theatre. Playwright Sean T.C. O’Malley shares how more than 500 articles helped inspire the show, which takes the stage for the first time this month.
Katie HellandAugust 08, 2026
Waikīkī resort opens entertainment center
Family bowling is possible in Waikīkī at this entertainment center, which opened in June. The 6,000-square-foot space also includes more than 60 arcade games.
Katie HellandAugust 07, 2026
Three Oʻahu contestants advance to ‘America’s Got Talent’ live shows
Several acts featuring Oʻahu residents earned spots in the live shows of “America’s Got Talent.” The grand prize of the talent competition is $1 million, plus a potentially career-changing platform with an audience that spans more than 20 countries.
Katie HellandAugust 06, 2026
Eat spam and vote: Oʻahu weekend guide
Looking for fun things to do this Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9? From celebrating National Spam Musubi Day to casting your vote in statewide elections, Aloha State Daily has your guide for how to spend the weekend.
Katie HellandAugust 05, 2026
Raina Huang returns for four Hawaiʻi eating contests
This celebrity competitive eater will be in Honolulu this week, with stops at the Korean Festival Hawaiʻi, Nori Bar Waikīkī and Oh My Grill.
Katie HellandAugust 04, 2026
Exclusive video: North Shore brothers talk about ʻAmerica’s Got Talent’
Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm, the North Shore brothers who are also the nephews of Bruno Mars are back on “America’s Got Talent.” Catch them singing for Simon Cowell at his house in an episode that airs Tuesday, Aug. 4. They also unpack their latest single “Heartbeat,” which was inspired by their grandmother, and the cheehoo that calmed their nerves during auditions.
Katie HellandAugust 01, 2026
Q&A with Bishop Museum CEO Kris Helgen
This mammal-discovering scientist is now the president and CEO of Bishop Museum. Helgen shares some of the biggest challenges and accomplishments of the past year, which is his first 12 months in the role.
Katie HellandJuly 31, 2026