
Katie Helland
I’m excited to help bring a brand new source of news to the state. In my coverage, I look forward to sharing stories that will help you plan fun things to do for date nights and spend family time in Hawaiʻi. I also hope to share stories about the people behind events and organizations, as well as their interests in music, hula, film, comedy and more.
I started working at the city newspaper when I was still in high school through summer internships. Since then, I have worked for the community newspaper in my college town, as well as The Santiago Times when I lived abroad in Chile. Most recently, I worked for Pacific Business News in Honolulu.
At ASD, I can’t wait to talk story, which is how reporters hear some of the best news tips! Hawaiʻi has such an incredibly rich culture. And for me, it is home.
SPJ Hawai‘i 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards: First Place, Best Overall News Site, for “Aloha State Daily,” by the ASD Newsroom, in the Internet Division; and First Place, Headlines, by Katie Helland, Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros, and Stephanie Salmons for "Listen to the Mike Love song people quit their jobs over."
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Katie Helland

‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ band back for stop in Honolulu journey
ʻHold on to that feelin’ ’— the legendary rock band Journey is heading to the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena one more time, Saturday, Sept. 5, Sunday, Sept. 6, and Tuesday, Sept. 8, for its “Final Frontier Tour 2026."
Katie HellandSeptember 06, 2026

Slack Key guitar sings at Waikīkī festival
The 44th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival - Waikīkī Style just wrapped up last weekend. The slack key guitar festivals started in honor of the legendary Gabby Pahinui already made stops on Maui and Oʻahu this year. The next stop? Hawaiʻi Island.
Katie HellandSeptember 04, 2026

Playwright seeks help with cancer battle
She wrote plays like “Talk-Story,” “Banyan,” “Walls” and “Buffaloʻed.” Now, this playwright — who lives in Hilo and has created more than 80 plays — needs help battling cancer bills.
Katie HellandSeptember 03, 2026
Catch Journey, football, and more: your guide to the weekend
Ready to make plans for Labor Day weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. From live performances from the legendary rock band Journey to catching the Rainbow Warriors at their first home football game, here are some of the events happening on Oʻahu this weekend.
Katie HellandSeptember 02, 2026

Dolly Parton in Hawaiʻi: Photos from the Hawaiʻi State Archives
Dolly Parton, who died last week, has a number of ties to the Islands, where she once operated a restaurant and owned a home. Staff at the Hawaiʻi State Archives found some historical photos of her time on Oʻahu to share with Aloha State Daily readers.
Katie HellandSeptember 01, 2026

Catch Hawaiʻi-made films on the big screen at Consolidated Theatres
Films featuring Hawaiʻi directors and actors will be at movie theaters across Oʻahu starting in September. Catch the new series, curated by the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, every other Wednesday.
Katie HellandAugust 29, 2026















