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
Anna O’Brien’s under new management
Learn what will and won't change as this Irish pub — not far from the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa — soft opens under new management on Friday, July 10.
Katie HellandJuly 09, 2026
Disney’s live action 'Moana' sails into theaters and more: Oʻahu weekend guide
Ready to make weekend plans? Catch Disney’s live action version of “Moana,” which opens in theaters on Friday, July 10. The Honolulu Surf Film Festival, the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, and the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi will also be happening this weekend on Oʻahu.
Katie HellandJuly 08, 2026
New law gives extra tax credit to film productions with local hires
Gov. Josh Green signed legislation Monday that will increase tax credits for movies and series filmed on the Islands if they include mostly local hires.
Katie HellandJuly 07, 2026
Sharing the Spirit of America heads to all 50 states
The birth of the United States started with the Declaration of Independence. Now, 250 years later, people will read the historic document in all 50 states, five territories and the Minor Outlying Islands, as well as across the world, through this initiative with Hawaiʻi America250.
Katie HellandJuly 03, 2026
Food and fireworks: Your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu
From a patriotic sing-along to a new happy hour, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Get your calendar ready to make plans for this weekend!
Katie HellandJuly 02, 2026
25 things to do on Oʻahu to celebrate the semiquincentennial
Looking for ways to celebrate 250 years of the U.S. being a nation? Aloha State Daily has compiled a list of events — including firework shows — happening for the semiquincentennial. From ʻEwa Beach to Waimānalo, here are some of the events happening across the Island this weekend.
Katie HellandJuly 01, 2026
How to celebrate July 4 on Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island
Looking for ways to celebrate the semiquincentennial of the U.S. becoming a nation this long week weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. From poolside barbecues to a chili cook-off, which will be judged by Lahaina firefighters, to a helicopter flower drop at the Flowerworks Festival, there are lots of events happening across the Neighbor Islands.
Katie HellandJuly 01, 2026
ʻDivine disruption’ at heart of HoMA exhibit
This new exhibit by Tsherin Sherpa at the Honolulu Museum of Art features deities in unconventional poses and places. It tackles tough issues, such as displacement and immigration, and will be on display through January 2027.
Katie HellandJune 30, 2026
Music video filmed at Hanalei Bay gets world premiere in Hollywood
Actress turned filmmaker Carolina Espiro created a music video for four-time Grammy Award winner Kalani Peʻa’s song “Hanalei I Ka Pilimoe.” Shot entirely by moonlight at Hanalei Bay, its world premiere debuted on Friday, June 26, at Dances with Films Festival in Hollywood, California.
Katie HellandJune 27, 2026
New mural unveiling on Kauaʻi this Saturday
The Garden Island has new art, which will be unveiled to the public this weekend. The project is a collaboration between Common Ground Kauaʻi, a 63-acre regenerative farm, and Capitol Modern. The project involves 11 artists, including many who call Kauaʻi home.
Katie HellandJune 26, 2026
Inside Hunter Hayes’ new album: ʻEvergreenʻ
The singer and songwriter spoke with Aloha State Daily about his new music and upcoming performances at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi in Waikīkī, ahead of the start of a tour to promote his new album. Catch him in Honolulu on Sunday, June 28, and Tuesday, June 30.
Katie HellandJune 26, 2026
And the Wailuku Film Festival winners are...
It’s a wrap for the inaugural Wailuku Film Festival. Brian Kohne, the festival's director and the Maui film commissioner, reflected on the event and how it impacted local businesses. Read more to learn the festival’s winners.
Katie HellandJune 25, 2026
Wehiwehi artists perform at Bishop Museum, Shangri La
Six Kānaka Maoli artists shared their work with the community at the Wehiwehi artist showcase on June 19 at Bishop Museum. This week, artists from the Wehiwehi residency program will also perform at Shangri La before an evening crowd of up to 200 people at the first event of its kind for the museum and cultural center, after an expanded conditional use permit went into effect this year.
Katie HellandJune 24, 2026
Festivals, a hui hou to Kam Bowl, and cinema: What to do on O’ahu this weekend
Ready to make plans for the weekend? Aloha State Daily can help. From saying a hui hou to Kam Bowl Restaurant, which closes Sunday, to checking out the Pacific Rim Festival or Hawai’i Beer Fest, there are lots of events happening on O’ahu this weekend. Looking to stay cool inside? Sign up for the Hawai’i State Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Katie HellandJune 23, 2026
Hawaiʻi showcased at Smithsonian exhibit
In July, the U.S. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its existence as a nation. In honor of the event, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has launched an exhibit that includes items from all 50 states, including its youngest one: Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJune 23, 2026
Oʻahu-based artist drops debut full-length album
8RO8 talks about his debut full-length album, “Hammajang,” which releases this month. The singer and songwriter, who grew up in Mākaha, shares behind-the-scenes moments from capturing a recent music video, which was filmed in a surprising spot: along the Ala Wai Canal.
Katie HellandJune 20, 2026
Governor designates state orchestra for Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has a new title, which comes with statewide recognition. Amy Iwano, president and CEO of the nonprofit, shares what this means for the organization. Aloha State Daily takes a closer look at the symphony's finances over recent years.
Katie HellandJune 19, 2026
Coral and snails star in 'Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals'
Musicians, dancers and puppeteers will take the stage in September to share a world premier performance of “Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals,” which tells the story of endangered creatures around the globe. Featured in the performance are several species that call Hawaiʻi home, including sea turtles, snails and coral.
Katie HellandJune 18, 2026
Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and more: what to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Ready to make plans for Juneteenth and Father’s Day? From live music at a botanical garden to free entry at a local museum and a movie screening that stars an actor who calls Kakaʻako home, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Make your plans now for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Katie HellandJune 17, 2026
UPDATE: Hawaiʻi contestant gets golden buzzer on ʻAmerica’s Got Talent’
This Army sergeant got his musical break when he recorded himself singing in a car. Now, Oʻahu resident Isaac Atkins is reflecting on the “America’s Got Talent” auditions that recently took him to California.
Katie HellandJune 16, 2026
Your guide to Father’s Day 2026: laugh, eat, fish
Ready to make Father’s Day plans? From fishing to eating, Aloha State Daily has your guide for how to celebrate on Oʻahu.
Katie HellandJune 13, 2026