Arts & Entertainment
News
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
Voting begins for American Idol’s Thunderstorm Artis to perform at the Waikīkī Shell
ASD gets an exclusive interview with American Idol contestant Thunderstorm Artis, who was raised in Haleʻiwa. Artis could come back home to Oʻahu for a hometown visit — and concert — as part of Season 23 of the television show, if the nation votes him one of their top three contestants tonight.
Katie HellandMay 12, 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
Honolulu Zoo launches new mobile app
The app includes an interactive map, facts about animals and even more features that will make a trip to the zoo a walk in the park.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 08, 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
North Shore-based duo of brothers set to perform at Ko Olina Children’s Festival
Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm are a duo of brothers set to perform at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children on Saturday, May 10. They have a personal connection to the medical center, which will benefit from the festival.
Katie HellandMay 07, 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
Sign up your keiki for summer classes
These summer programs provide entertainment and activities for keiki across Oʻahu, who are between 6 and 13 years old. Sign-up dates vary by district.
Katie HellandMay 06, 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
Have a ball at Central O‘ahu's new sports simulator experience
Sports Box is opening another location in Pearlridge Center’s Wai Makai on May 1.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 23, 2025
Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona encourages dancers to “leave it all on the stage” at Merrie Monarch
This Maui-based hālau is sending eight kāne to compete in Merrie Monarch at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo this week. Aloha State Daily spoke with Kumu Hula Kamaka Kūkona about the performances, his advice for dancers, and more.
Katie HellandApril 23, 2025
Will the state acquire Downtown Honolulu’s Hawaiʻi Theatre?
Beset by mounting insurance costs, the historic theater's nonprofit operator hopes the state can take ownership.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 22, 2025