Christian Shimabuku
Although I didn't move to Hawaiʻi until after high school, I have been connected to the Islands and followed Hawaiʻi sports my entire life. My father was born and raised on Oʻahu, and my family would come to Hawaiʻi for Christmas to visit his family members on an annual basis. Deep down, I always knew it's where I wanted to spend my life. The last 11 and a half years have only reaffirmed that.
I got my start in journalism covering sports for Ka Leo O Hawaiʻi, the student newspaper at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. I was also a sports clerk/sports reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for a total of about four years. After graduation, I interned at the Sporting News in Charlotte, N.C. in the summer of 2018 before returning to the Star-Advertiser. In November 2019, I joined KHON2 News in Honolulu as a digital sports reporter for five years.
The sports scene in Hawaiʻi as a whole is robust and at times, complex. I truly believe Hawaiʻi is home to some of the world's greatest people and athletes. Being able to tell their stories for the last decade has been an honor and a blessing. I can't wait to do the same for Aloha State Daily. Getting in on the ground floor for a new venture is something I always found intriguing and with ASD, it's something I'll be able to do for the first time. Additionally, ASD's commitment to journalism comes at a time where I believe it is more important than ever in our world to support local and quality journalism.
Latest from Christian Shimabuku

Q&A: New University of Hawai‘i softball coach Panita Thanatharn
Thanatharn, who was hired in June, held her first practice as UH's new head softball coach last week.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 09, 2025

Rico Garcia reflects on MLB journey
The Saint Louis and HPU alum made his major league debut in 2019 and has pitched for six different MLB teams.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 08, 2025

South Korea's Youmin Hwang wins Lotte Championship
Hwang, who entered the tournament via sponsor invite, earned her first LPGA Tour victory on Saturday.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 05, 2025

Mililani’s Dillon Gabriel set to become first from a Hawai’i public high school to start a game in the NFL at quarterback
Gabriel will be the first graduate of a public high school from the Islands to start an NFL game at quarterback.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 04, 2025

Local golfers relish Lotte experience
Tagiralani Luafalealo and Alexa Takai, both competing in an LPGA event for the first time, missed the cut on Thursday but came away appreciative of the experience.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 03, 2025

Hawai‘i football looks to keep momentum going during bye week
The Rainbow Warriors, coming off a critical win at Air Force, are idle this week before hosting Utah State on Saturday.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 03, 2025

Baldwin graduate Donan Cruz named new assistant coach for Hawai‘i men's volleyball team
Cruz was hired following former associate head coach Milan Zarkovic's departure to UCLA in September.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 02, 2025

Punahou alumna Allisen Corpuz gears up for Lotte Championship
Corpuz returns to her home Island for the Lotte Championship after not competing in the tournament in 2024.
Christian ShimabukuOctober 01, 2025

First-timers win Na Wahine O Ke Kai
Ihilani Vaʻa, competing in the race for the first time as a team, ending Team Bradley's string of five consecutive titles.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 29, 2025

Hawai‘i football outlasts Air Force to earn road victory
The Rainbow Warriors put up 535 yards of total offense and were buoyed by another perfect day from Kansei Matsuzawa in a 44-35 win at Air Force on Saturday.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 28, 2025

Waialua's Julian Williams embraces his heritage and roots in surfing journey
Williams, a 2018 Kamehameha alumnus, became the first black Native Hawaiian to compete in the WSL in July.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 27, 2025

Hawai‘i football brushing aside mind games ahead of game at Air Force
The Rainbow Warriors will play at Air Force on Saturday, which features a stadium 6,621 feet above sea level.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 26, 2025

NASED and AHDP sign first two agreements towards Aloha Stadium dismantling and construction
The new Aloha Stadium remains on track to open in March 2029.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 26, 2025

Na Wahine O Ke Kai set for milestone moment
Sunday's race will mark 50 years since the first all-women outrigger canoe race across multiple Islands was held.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 25, 2025

Hawai‘i men's volleyball loses beloved assistant coach Milan Zarkovic to UCLA
Zarkovic served as an assistant coach under Charlie Wade for 12 seasons at UH.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 24, 2025

HHSAA announces inaugural surfing state championships
Maui will host the inaugural tournament from May 1-2, with three different types of competitions.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 23, 2025

Hawai‘i football loses heartbreaker to Fresno State
Quarterback Micah Alejado struggled in his return to to the UH offense as the Rainbow Warriors fell to their rival to begin conference play.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 21, 2025

Punahou sophomore Alexa Takai set to take on the pros at 2025 Lotte Championship
Takai was recently granted a full sponsor's exemption to play in the tournament, which runs from Oct. 1-4 at Hoakalei Country Club.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 20, 2025

‘Aiea's Tyla Reese Mane works her way into crucial role for Hawai‘i women's volleyball team
Mane, who walked-on with the Rainbow Wahine out of junior college, has become a crucial member of the team in her senior season.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 19, 2025

Hawai‘i soccer set to begin defense of regular season Big West title
The Rainbow Wahine enter their final season in the Big West Conference as defending regular season champions but are seeking a different conclusion to their season.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 18, 2025

Micah Alejado returns to practice ahead of Hawai‘i's Mountain West opener against Fresno State
Alejado was sidelined for consecutive weeks with a right ankle injury.
Christian ShimabukuSeptember 16, 2025