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.
News
Harry Potter movies return to big screens across Oʻahu
“Lumos!” Harry Potter fans can practice this and other spells as they watch the eight-movie series at Consolidated Theatres across Oʻahu this summer. The chance to indulge in wizardly magic in air conditioned theaters costs $5 per movie.
Katie HellandJune 12, 2025
Eight things to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15
Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do this weekend. From a butterfly tent at Ward Village to a scavenger hunt at Battleship Missouri Memorial, there are plenty of activities to keep the family busy this Father’s Day weekend.
Katie HellandJune 11, 2025
HSO harpist Constance Uejio to retire, you still have a chance to hear her play
This Oʻahu-based harpist will finish more than four decades with Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra in August. She is being recognized at the Masterworks concert finale featuring Brahms Symphony No. 1 on Sunday, June 15.
Katie HellandJune 11, 2025
“American Idol” winner Iam Tongi releases new single
This singer-songwriter with Kahuku roots just released new music. The cover is inspired by his relationship with his father and comes out just before Father’s Day.
Katie HellandJune 10, 2025
Nicole Scherzinger wins first Tony Award for lead actress
This Honolulu-born Native Hawaiian Ukrainian and Filipino actress won her first Tony Award for her performance in “Sunset Blvd” on Sunday, June 8. She took the stage to perform “As If We Never Said Goodbye” as part of the celebrations.
Katie HellandJune 10, 2025
American Savings Bank’s Loʻi Gallery highlights Kris Goto, seasons
Artist Kris Goto reflects on art, seasons and being brave. She also shares how surfing inspired her work.
Katie HellandJune 07, 2025
Auditions underway for "Hawaiʻi to the World" talent competition
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is seeking talent from the islands, Japan and the Mainland to be ambassadors of Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJune 06, 2025
Waikīkī has a new magic show with rotating headliners
Magic Lee, the founder of Waikīkī’s Magical Parlour, grew up in Kalihi and picked up magic after watching a trick as a teenager. He performed magic as a bartender for Stevenson’s Library on Kauaʻi and a winery based in California, before starting this regular show in the heart of Waikīkī.
Katie HellandJune 04, 2025
3 things to do this weekend: Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8
Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do this weekend. From free performances by Johnny Suite and Irie Love at the Capitol Modern to a newly opened parlor with rotating guest magicians in Waikīkī, we’ve got fun activities for the entire family!
Katie HellandJune 04, 2025
Shangri La and Capitol Modern host Summer Solstice celebration
Capitol Modern and Shangri La are hosting a First Friday event celebrating the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 6. This event is part of a quarterly series and includes live performances from Johnny Suite and Irie Love.
Katie HellandJune 03, 2025
Win prizes for reading – and meet the artist behind this summer program
Kakaʻako-based artist Lauryn Gordines planned to become a teacher, but then moved into the fashion world. Today, she paints murals and recently designed art for the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System’s summer reading program.
Katie HellandJune 02, 2025
Six hobbies you can start at the Hawaiʻi public library this summer
Summer break is here! Borrow an ʻukulele and plant a summer garden for free with help from your local public library. Here are six things keiki of all ages can find at public libraries across the state.
Katie HellandMay 31, 2025
This American Idol contestant to headline at Blue Note Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi residents watched some of his performances on television as part of Season 23 of “American Idol.” Now this singer, who grew up on the North Shore of Oʻahu, is coming back for a day of concerts.
Katie HellandMay 30, 2025
What to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, May 30 - Sunday, June 1
Looking for something fun to fill the weekend? From dinosaurs in Kalihi to sunflower fields in Waimānalo, Aloha State Daily has rounded up five things you can do with family and friends.
Katie HellandMay 30, 2025
This French bulldog just had his movie premiere in “Lilo & Stitch”
This Hawaiʻi-Kai based pup inspired Stitch, the blue alien in “Lilo & Stitch,” to catch some waves. He learned the sport for the movie but had previous experience with skateboards and stand-up paddle boards.
Katie HellandMay 29, 2025
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