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
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
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
Watch “Pride & Prejudice” on the big screen
This cinematic take on Jane Austen’s classic novel was released in 2005 and will be playing on the big screen this week at Consolidated Theatres in Kāhala, Pearlridge, Mililani and Kapolei.
Katie HellandApril 21, 2025
Pigs, Spam and art – oh my!
This fundraiser combines painted pigs and cans of Spam with a chance to raise money for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Called the Piggyback Spam Project, it showcases made in Hawaiʻi artwork in a silent auction that closes April 26.
Katie HellandApril 19, 2025
Country music festival heads for Bishop Museum
This concert, called Boots ‘n Beers, features singers and songwriters based in Texas, Tennessee and Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandApril 17, 2025
Video: Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang on Merrie Monarch, May Day celebrations
Spanning the next two weeks Casupang has three major showings. In this recorded conversation, he shares more about his upbringing and introduction to hula, as well as what audiences can expect to see at the 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo and May Day Lei Day celebration in Honolulu.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 17, 2025
The Mango Theater opens on Molokai
Molokai still has no stop lights, but starting this month one thing residents will have is a movie theater. Previously, fans of the big screen had to board planes and fly to neighbor islands to catch highly anticipated releases of new films.
Katie HellandApril 17, 2025
ʻAmerican Idol’ winner Iam Tongi announces new single ʻSunshine’
The singer and songwriter talked about his father in his audition for ʻAmerican Idol.’ He grew up in Kahuku and also spoke about being priced out of paradise.
Katie HellandApril 15, 2025
Kumu Kahua Theatre seeks first-time writers for free workshop
This theater is bringing Hawaiʻi-based playwright Daniel A. Kelin II and longtime director Harry Wong III together to teach Oʻahu residents how to write plays. The one-day workshop opens first to Windward and North Shore residents.
Katie HellandApril 15, 2025
Kalani Peʻa to headline back-to-back Lei Day performances
The Maui-based singer and songwriter has won four Grammy Awards and five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. He is teaming up with award-winning singers and dancers to bring several memorable Lei Day performances to Oʻahu.
Katie HellandApril 12, 2025
3 things we learned from visiting a hula class at Mid-Pacific
Led by Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang, the private school’s Pūpūkahi halau has about 90 high school students, who study and practice Hawaiian language, culture and traditions, as part of their curriculum. Here’s how a recent $250,000 gift will help expand its hula program.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 11, 2025
Inside Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s production of “Carmen”
Opera singer Robert Feng shares the Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre performance that made him want to be a singer. The Punahou School graduate is now performing in the same group’s upcoming production of “Carmen.”
Katie HellandApril 11, 2025
Tony Pisculli shares behind-the-scenes moments from his play, “The Magic of Polly Amnesia”
Hawaiʻi-based Tony Pisculli is the playwright of “The Magic of Polly Amnesia,” which is on stage at Kumu Kahua Theatre through April 27. He is also a former software developer, a founder of the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival and — sometimes a magician.
Katie HellandApril 10, 2025
Hawai‘i Island abuzz about bees
Leandra Rouse is capturing the history of beekeeping on Hawaiʻi Island in honor of her father, who came to Hawaiʻi on his honeymoon and stayed to work bees.
Katie HellandApril 08, 2025
Tickets on sale for pop-up with “Jackass” star Chris Pontius and North Shore comedian Mike Garcia
A self-proclaimed “goofball,” North Shore comedian Mike Garcia shared he was a prison guard and a drummer in a reggae band before he became a full-time comedian. This week, he opens for Chris Pontius of “Jackass” at shows on Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4. ASD sat down with Garcia for an exclusive interview.
Katie HellandApril 04, 2025
Bishop Museum names new CEO
The new executive for this local nonprofit was born and raised in Minnesota and currently works at the Australian Museum. He previously was a research zoologist and curator for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.
Katie HellandApril 03, 2025
Hawaiʻi resident and “Dr. Kildare” star Richard Chamberlain dies at 90 in Waimānalo
This actor, known for his roles in “Shōgun” (1980), “The Thorn Birds” (1983), as well as “Dr. Kildare” (1961) grew up in California and later moved to Oʻahu.
Katie HellandApril 02, 2025
Behind-the-scenes of the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall’s recent renovations
The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall is home to Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre and touring Broadway productions. The next phase of renovations is currently out to bid and would include updates to the exterior of the more than 60-year-old performing arts space.
Katie HellandApril 02, 2025
Crime saga featuring “The Rock” finds home with 20th Century and Disney
This movie, featuring director Martin Scorsese and top-tier Hollywood actors and actresses such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt, tells the story of a mob boss in Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandMarch 31, 2025
Meet the composer behind Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra’s performance with Taimane
Composer-in-residence Michael-Thomas Foumai is teaming up with the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning Taimane Gardner for a concert with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra. Aloha State Daily takes you behind-the-scenes to their meeting before the concert in April.
Katie HellandMarch 29, 2025
Want live music for less than $20?
Check out this event, featuring Ooklah The Moc and others, at the Bishop Museum next week. AlohaLauLea, a two-day music festival hosted by the Hawaiian contemporary hit radio station KCCN-FM 100, starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5.
Katie HellandMarch 27, 2025