Arts & Entertainment
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. We’ve covered film festivals, comedy acts, live theater and classical concerts and more. This is where you’ll also find news about TV shows and movies filmed in the Islands or about Hawai‘i, and the actors attached to them. Venues matter, too, and we’ll update readers on improvements such as the recent upgrades to the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall and the Waikīkī Shell.
News
Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre presents world premiere of new opera
The opera, “Kamalehua: The Sheltering Tree," will be performed next month in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English. The lead role features baritone Quinn Kelsey, who recently performed at The Metropolitan Opera.
Katie HellandApril 09, 2026
Merrie Monarch, steel guitar and Ziggy Marley: Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12
With a third Kona Low storm in the forecast, Aloha State Daily rounded up some things to do this weekend. Stuck at home? Watch the livestream of Merrie Monarch or enjoy movies featuring local actors and the Islands. Or venture out to catch reggae star Ziggy Marley’s show, which benefits the Waikīkī Community Center. This weekend, readers can also enjoy free admission to ʻIolani Palace for Kamaʻāina Sunday.
Katie HellandApril 08, 2026
Benefit concert with Jason Momoa, Jack Johnson, Kolohe Kai, The Green and more
Hawaiian Council has teamed up with nine acts, including The Mākaha Sons and others, to host a benefit for those impacted by the recent Kona Low Storms. The list of performers includes artists who are regular headliners at various events.
Katie HellandApril 07, 2026
Symphony sets sail with ode to Hōkūleʻa
Navigators, stars and a whole lot of ocean are in this symphony score coming to Honolulu for the first time in its entirety on Sunday, April 19. Michael-Thomas Foumai, the composer of the piece, discusses how he wrote music that shares the story of Hōkūleʻa.
Katie HellandApril 07, 2026
How to watch Merrie Monarch
The Merrie Monarch Festival returns this year with hula competitions from Thursday, April 9, through Saturday, April 11. Activities and events for the weeklong festival also include an invitational Hawaiian arts fair, along with hula shows and a grand parade.
Katie HellandApril 04, 2026
Limited-time menu for ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’
The movie started playing at all Consolidated Theatres locations starting April 1. Customers can enjoy a themed menu until April 12; exclusive Mario merchandise is also available while supplies last.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 03, 2026
Irie Love shares musical journey on Saturday in Waikīkī
The Kailua-based Queen of Island Reggae just returned from Aotearoa where she performed for the first time in more than 10 years. This weekend, she will share classics, new music from her album “Reflections,” and archive throwback songs on Saturday, April 4, in Waikīkī.
Katie HellandApril 03, 2026
Johnson ‘Ohana Foundation, Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation donate to flood recovery
Musician Jack Johnson and wife Kim Johnson, who reside on Oʻahu’s North Shore, have teamed up with GoFundMe to give directly to ʻohana impacted by the recent Kona Low storms. The pair is pledging $500,000 in total, some of which is being dispersed to local nonprofits, and plan to host a fundraiser this Friday at the Kōkua Learning Farm in Haleʻiwa.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 02, 2026
Loch Ness monster spotted in Ala Wai Canal
“It’s 42 degrees in Loch Ness,” says noted Isle cryptozoologist Sigmund Zack. “The question isn’t, ‘Why would Nessie swim 7,000 miles to vacation in Waikīkī?” it’s ‘Why wouldn’t he?”
A. Kam NapierApril 01, 2026
Five things to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, April 3, through Sunday, April 5
Looking for plans for the long weekend? Aloha State Daily has rounded up some ideas of events for the entire ʻohana, including plans for Easter Sunday.
Katie HellandApril 01, 2026
Native Hawaiian author Malia Maunakea to release next book
The Colorado-based writer of intermediate school fiction is set to launch “The Shark Prince” on May 5. As part of the pre-order campaign, Penguin Publishing Group will donate up to 500 copies to Hawaiʻi Literacy, a local nonprofit that provides free reading and writing programs.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 31, 2026
ʻThe Book of Mormonʻ and more headed for Honolulu
The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall will be alive with music from Broadway in Hawaiʻi in 2026 and 2027. The group has announced its next season, and tickets are now available.
Katie HellandMarch 30, 2026