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
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
Behind-the-scenes with Takehiro Hira on Apple TV’s 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters'
The Emmy-nominated actor, who calls Oʻahu home, shares how a poignant scene in "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” came together, as well as his favorite food to eat after being away from home.
Katie HellandMarch 27, 2026
Kōkua Waialua, FoodieCon, and more: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Ready to help farmers in Waialua who were impacted by floods? Want to see a humuhumunukunukuapua‘a formed entirely from Legos? Aloha State Daily rounded up a list of things to do Friday, March 27, through Sunday, March 29.
Katie HellandMarch 25, 2026
Island vibes at the heart of Kelandy’s new single
The singer and songwriter, who has collaborated with Josh Tatofi and Fiji, shares how he wrote his new song “Mango Tree,” which released today, Saturday, March 21.
Katie HellandMarch 21, 2026
Chuck Norris dies
Actor Chuck Norris, the renowned martial artist known for his roles in action films and the long-running television series "Walker, Texas Ranger," has died. He was reportedly hospitalized on Kauaʻi. Previously, he was also a guest star on an episode of "Hawaiʻi Five-0."
Katie HellandMarch 20, 2026