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

Disney announces music in “Lilo & Stitch” live action movie
The line-up of voices for this Disney classic includes the return of Kumu Hula Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and Kamehameha Schools Children’s Choir as well as Iam Tongi and the North-Shore-based brothers Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm singing an Elvis Presley song reproduced by their uncle, Bruno Mars.
Katie HellandMay 09, 2025

Young talent recognized with Nā Hōkū ʻŌpio awards
The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra announced the winners of its Nā Hōkū ʻŌpio “Young Stars” competition, which are two students of ʻIolani School. The winners get a chance to perform alongside the symphony in a free concert in July.
Katie HellandMay 08, 2025

Rom-coms for mom back in theaters for limited showings
Consolidated Theatres is bringing back some film favorites in time for Mother’s Day. Watch movies such as “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and “Miss Congeniality” on the big screen at theatres across Oʻahu.
Katie HellandMay 08, 2025

North Shore-based duo of brothers set to perform at Ko Olina Children’s Festival
Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm are a duo of brothers set to perform at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children on Saturday, May 10. They have a personal connection to the medical center, which will benefit from the festival.
Katie HellandMay 07, 2025
Sign up your keiki for summer classes
These summer programs provide entertainment and activities for keiki across Oʻahu, who are between 6 and 13 years old. Sign-up dates vary by district.
Katie HellandMay 06, 2025

Lei Day marked release of Māhealani Uchiyama’s new song
A growth spurt helped this artist discover her calling as a singer, songwriter and kumu hula. Māhealani Uchiyama released her newest song on Lei Day. It is part of the album, “Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience and Joy,” which launches June 13 and celebrates a compilation of stories of people of African descent in Hawaiian history.
Katie HellandMay 06, 2025
City and County of Honolulu announces winners of Lei Day contest
More than 130 lei were submitted to this contest, hosted by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation, on Lei Day, May 1, at Kapiʻolani Park. See photos of the lei entered in the contest and learn the winner of the Mayor’s Grand Prize.
Katie HellandMay 02, 2025

This Oʻahu-based choir is taking a message of hope to Carnegie Hall
Composer Erica Glenn wrote a requiem in eight languages for those who died in disasters in six different countries, which is now headed to one of the most famous stages in the world: Carnegie Hall. The assistant professor of music at Brigham Young University – Hawaiʻi is the guest conductor for the performance, which features the Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir.
Katie HellandMay 02, 2025

Kosasa Foundation launches new grant program for arts and culture nonprofits
This foundation has a new grant program that seeks to bridge the gap in funding for nonprofits and young creatives in the arts sector, which was hard hit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Katie HellandApril 30, 2025

North Shore glass artist Arlie Pemberton shares details of Lei Day celebration
This Haleʻiwa glassblower makes lei out of glass at her studio on the North Shore. To celebrate Lei Day, she will be in Waikīkī for a special event that celebrates flowers, hosted by Romer Waikīkī at The Ambassador.
Katie HellandApril 30, 2025

Your guide to Lei Day on Oʻahu
Lei Day celebrations including music, lei contests and even flower tattoos are just a few days away.
Katie HellandApril 29, 2025

Family fun: $1 movie tickets for keiki films
The entire ʻohana can enjoy classics, such as “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” “The Wild Robot” and “Shrek 2” on the big screen for just $1 per ticket this summer as part of Consolidated Theatres’ Keiki Film Hui.
Katie HellandApril 28, 2025

Award-winning Kalani Peʻa shares free concert in Hilo
The four-time Grammy award winner and five-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner is back to his Hawaiʻi Island roots with this free concert in Hilo during Merrie Monarch Festival.
Katie HellandApril 26, 2025

Behind-the-scenes of Merrie Monarch prep with Hālau Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima
Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine talks about how Hālau Pua Aliʻi ʻIlima will share a mele about Queen Emma and her visit to Mauna Kea at Merrie Monarch this week. For the longtime judge of the competition, Merrie Monarch is not about comparing hālau but rather supporting performances.
Katie HellandApril 24, 2025

Comedian Heston Kaʻaihue to headline at Blue Note Hawaiʻi this weekend
This Hawaiʻi Island comedian with Oʻahu roots believes “laughter heals.” He will take the stage on Sunday, April 27, at Blue Note Hawaiʻi in Waikīkī. Special guests include comedians James Mane and Kinohi Betts.
Katie HellandApril 24, 2025

Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona encourages dancers to “leave it all on the stage” at Merrie Monarch
This Maui-based hālau is sending eight kāne to compete in Merrie Monarch at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo this week. Aloha State Daily spoke with Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona about the performances, his advice for dancers, and more.
Katie HellandApril 23, 2025

Watch “Pride & Prejudice” on the big screen
This cinematic take on Jane Austen’s classic novel was released in 2005 and will be playing on the big screen this week at Consolidated Theatres in Kāhala, Pearlridge, Mililani and Kapolei.
Katie HellandApril 21, 2025

Pigs, Spam and art – oh my!
This fundraiser combines painted pigs and cans of Spam with a chance to raise money for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Called the Piggyback Spam Project, it showcases made in Hawaiʻi artwork in a silent auction that closes April 26.
Katie HellandApril 19, 2025

Country music festival heads for Bishop Museum
This concert, called Boots ‘n Beers, features singers and songwriters based in Texas, Tennessee and Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandApril 17, 2025

The Mango Theater opens on Molokai
Molokai still has no stop lights, but starting this month one thing residents will have is a movie theater. Previously, fans of the big screen had to board planes and fly to neighbor islands to catch highly anticipated releases of new films.
Katie HellandApril 17, 2025

ʻAmerican Idol’ winner Iam Tongi announces new single ʻSunshine’
The singer and songwriter talked about his father in his audition for ʻAmerican Idol.’ He grew up in Kahuku and also spoke about being priced out of paradise.
Katie HellandApril 15, 2025