Arts & Culture

Meet the artists and craftspeople keeping Hawai‘i traditions alive

Hawai‘i is filled with talented, passionate artists and performers. In recent months we’ve featured an ‘ukulele maker, sculptors, hula performers, Native Hawaiian language experts, anime cosplayers, symphony musicians, local filmmakers, Okinawan drummers, musical theatre performers, and more.

This “Lilo & Stitch” movie star barks!

The cast for Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch,” which launched, Friday, May 23, includes dogs, chickens and goats. Meet Hauʻula-based Sue Chipperton, the North Shore animal trainer who got them camera ready.

Katie HellandMay 29, 2025

Kumu Kahua Theatre announces five-show season

This Honolulu-based theatre has announced its line-up of shows for next season. The plays focus on strong leading women as protagonists and “magnify the feminine voice,” according to Donna Blanchard, the nonprofit’s managing director.

Katie HellandMay 28, 2025

Iosepa starts 31-day voyage across Hawaiian Islands

The double-hulled sailing canoe, Iosepa, is headed for a month-long tour of the Hawaiian Islands, starting Saturday, May 24. At its helm is Captain Mark Ellis, director of voyaging experiences at the Polynesian Cultural Center, where the canoe stays when it is not on the water.

Katie HellandMay 24, 2025

Dinosaurs spotted at Bishop Museum, and we've got video proof!

Almost a dozen reptiles, including some from the sea, have descended on this Oʻahu-based museum to entertain and educate visitors.

Katie HellandMay 23, 2025

“Lilo & Stitch” is a family affair for screenwriter Chris Kekaniokalani Bright

For this writer, the reveal of Disney’s live action version of “Lilo & Stitch” on Friday, May 23, feels a bit like handing off a present on Christmas morning where “you can’t wait for everybody to see it, and you’re just waiting for them to open it.”

Katie HellandMay 23, 2025

Kāneʻohe-based Scott Na‘auao will speak about revival at CreativeMornings

This free event brings creatives together to talk about a common theme in cities across the world. The next event in Honolulu will take place at Salt at Our Kakaʻako.

Katie HellandMay 22, 2025

Kumu Hula Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu shares how the same oli was featured at Merrie Monarch and in Disney’s new “Lilo & Stitch” movie

Kumu Hula Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu reflects on Merrie Monarch and how hula and music are not “the same thing, but they should both make your brain dance.” An oli he performed at Merrie Monarch this year had the audience singing. It appeared in the original animated version of ʻLilo & Stitch’ in 2002. It will also be part of the soundtrack for Disney’s live action version of the movie, which debuts Friday, May 23.

Katie HellandMay 22, 2025

Aquatic dinosaurs visit Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum

These giant oceanic reptiles are making a special stop at this Oʻahu-based museum, starting Saturday, May 24. In fact, the animatronic dinosaurs have arrived to hang out with keiki of all ages as part of a visiting exhibit.

Katie HellandMay 21, 2025

Dinosaurs, coral and science to be showcased at this Oʻahu festival

Dinosaurs, deep sea coral and aquaponics are just some of the things keiki of all ages can explore at this festival held at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. As part of the special event, admission to the museum is discounted to $5 for kamaʻāina and military. ASD spoke with Kapalikūokalani Maile, the museum's education programs manager, to learn more.

Katie HellandMay 20, 2025

ASD interviews Kaipo Dudoit, an actor in Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch”

Oʻahu-based actor Kaipo Dudoit surfs, fire dances and has a crush on his neighbor in Disney’s live action version of “Lilo & Stitch.” The movie, which was filmed on Oʻahu, is set to debut in theaters on May 23.

Katie HellandMay 17, 2025

Mental health hui helps ʻohana in Wai‘anae and beyond

Originally from Hawaiʻi Island, Social Worker Noelani Sagapolutele has served Oʻahu's Leeward Coast for more than two decades. She just launched startup Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi Mental Health Collective, or Waʻa Collective, to match providers with patients in a culturally conscious way across the country.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 16, 2025

Bishop Museum to host first Summer Sizzle Music Festival

A new summer music festival debuts this weekend at Bishop Museum. Headliners include Sammy Johnson, Anuhea and Mana‘o Company.

Katie HellandMay 16, 2025

“Kim’s Convenience” to premiere at Mānoa Valley Theatre this week

The Netflix sitcom “Kim’s Convenience” started as a play. This week, director Reiko Ho will bring this story to a stage on O'ahu.

Katie HellandMay 15, 2025

ʻIolani Palace to Hawaiʻi lawmakers: ‘It's really important that we have your support.’

Leaders from ʻIolani Palace and Bishop Museum recently shared updates on their current operations and future challenges, including proposed cuts to federal funding, to state lawmakers.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 14, 2025

The hit single “Rain” from Waipahu-based artist Daju has a new remix

The song “Rain” from the Waipahu-based singer and producer Daju, was written on a stormy day in January of 2024. TikTok made it famous. Now, it has more than 2.6 million streams on Spotify. The new remix, which dropped May 2, adds one more voice: Denise Julia.

Katie HellandMay 14, 2025

ʻAmerican Idol’ contestant Thunderstorm Artis is eliminated

Singer and songwriter Thunderstorm Artis, who grew up in Haleʻiwa, was eliminated from “American Idol: Season 23,” on Monday, May 12.

Katie HellandMay 13, 2025

Waterman Mike Field's art is on display at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

This Hawaiʻi Island-based artist was born in Guam and grew up on Oʻahu. He got his start when he went to the East Coast for college and found himself drawing the leaves, fish, flowers and coconut trees of home.

Katie HellandMay 10, 2025

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

Kawika McKeague assumes role of president at design firm G70

McKeague has a master's degree in planning and has also trained with Kumu Hula Victoria Holt Takamine as a hula practitioner and community advocate.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 07, 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.