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
HIFF announces first wave of festival films
Catch the Hawaiʻi premiere of “Drifter” and the world premiere of “Protecting Kahoʻolawe: 50 Years of Aloha ʻĀina” or “Making the Line,” among other films reaching new audiences for the first time at the upcoming Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. The first wave of films, which includes 15 titles, has been announced.
Katie HellandSeptember 08, 2026
‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ band back for stop in Honolulu journey
ʻHold on to that feelin’ ’— the legendary rock band Journey is heading to the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena one more time, Saturday, Sept. 5, Sunday, Sept. 6, and Tuesday, Sept. 8, for its “Final Frontier Tour 2026."
Katie HellandSeptember 06, 2026
Slack Key guitar sings at Waikīkī festival
The 44th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival - Waikīkī Style just wrapped up last weekend. The slack key guitar festivals started in honor of the legendary Gabby Pahinui already made stops on Maui and Oʻahu this year. The next stop? Hawaiʻi Island.
Katie HellandSeptember 04, 2026
Playwright seeks help with cancer battle
She wrote plays like “Talk-Story,” “Banyan,” “Walls” and “Buffaloʻed.” Now, this playwright — who lives in Hilo and has created more than 80 plays — needs help battling cancer bills.
Katie HellandSeptember 03, 2026
Catch Journey, football, and more: your guide to the weekend
Ready to make plans for Labor Day weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. From live performances from the legendary rock band Journey to catching the Rainbow Warriors at their first home football game, here are some of the events happening on Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 02, 2026
Dolly Parton in Hawaiʻi: Photos from the Hawaiʻi State Archives
Dolly Parton, who died last week, has a number of ties to the Islands, where she once operated a restaurant and owned a home. Staff at the Hawaiʻi State Archives found some historical photos of her time on Oʻahu to share with Aloha State Daily readers.
Katie HellandSeptember 01, 2026
Catch Hawaiʻi-made films on the big screen at Consolidated Theatres
Films featuring Hawaiʻi directors and actors will be at movie theaters across Oʻahu starting in September. Catch the new series, curated by the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, every other Wednesday.
Katie HellandAugust 29, 2026
New drink collaboration to make you say, Das' how
Comedian Tumua Tuinei talks about the coffee that kept him going when he started his career doing stand-up at Blue Note Hawaiʻi. Now, Honolulu Coffee Co. has created a drink inspired by his current national tour, “Dasʻ How,” which has stops on Maui and Kauaʻi next month.
Katie HellandAugust 28, 2026
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