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
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
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.
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
Study: How Hawaiian cultural practices can help heal first responders
Vibrant Hawaiʻi CEO Janice Ikeda shares findings from its recent study, No Nā Pua, which put participants knee-deep in fishponds to work with the ʻāina – and each other. She shares the nonprofitʻs overall goal with studies like these, next steps and even whatʻs sheʻs been learning as a leader in the community.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 25, 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