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

Hawai‘i men's basketball prepares for Big West battle against UC Irvine
The winner of Saturday's matchup will be atop the Big West Conference standings in the early going.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 08, 2026

Keoni DeRenne keeps his heart in Hawai‘i during various pro baseball stops
DeRenne, the new hitting coach for the Durham Bulls, was recently at Les Murakami Stadium assisting at a UH keiki camp.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 08, 2026

Polynesian Bowl comes to UH for the first time
One of the country's top high school football all-star games will be played at UH's Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Jan. 16.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 06, 2026

The week ahead in Hawai‘i sports: Pivotal early home matchup ahead for UH men's basketball
First place is up for grabs in the Big West Conference standings when UC Irvine visits the Rainbow Warriors on Saturday.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 05, 2026

No. 2 Hawai‘i men's volleyball shows no rust in sweeping NJIT
The Rainbow Warriors swept the Highlanders in short order on Friday and Sunday, exiting the weekend 2-0 to start their 2026 campaign.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 05, 2026

NCAA transfer portal opens for football
The 15-day window for players to enter the portal opened on Friday and closes on Jan. 16.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 02, 2026

No. 2 Hawai‘i men's volleyball hits the ground running ahead of 2026 opener
The Rainbow Warriors began preseason practices on Sunday and will already take the floor for the first time on Friday against NJIT.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 01, 2026

Hawai‘i basketball teams look to finish strong in final year of Big West membership
In July 2026, the vast majority of UH's teams will move from the Big West to the Mountain West.
Christian ShimabukuJanuary 01, 2026

Aloha 1st Athletics hands out hundreds of toys in Pālolo Valley during Christmas Eve
The organization held a Christmas Caravan on Wednesday night.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 31, 2025

The week ahead in Hawai‘i sports
UH's indoor sports will return to full force later in the week.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 29, 2025

Punahou's Ka‘imi Fairbairn reaches NFL franchise milestone
The 2012 Punahou alumnus recently broke the record for most points scored in Houston Texans franchise history.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 25, 2025

Hawai‘i shocks California with historic comeback to win Hawai‘i Bowl
The Rainbow Warriors were down 21-0 in the second quarter before their improbable rally.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 25, 2025

Sheer will vaults Jackie Johnson III into impact player for UH football team
Undersized and lightly recruited, the All-Mountain West defensive end is no longer flying under the radar.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 24, 2025

Hawai‘i Bowl experience creating new memories for past, present UH football players
A steady climb under head coach Timmy Chang has manifested into the program's most successful season of the decade. Players and coaches alike have savored the additional time with each other.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 24, 2025

Reunions, redemption headline 2025 Hawai‘i Bowl themes
Former UH teammates Timmy Chang and Nick Rolovich will be on opposite sidelines on Wednesday in a game that illustrates the growth of both head coaches in recent years.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 23, 2025

Hawai‘i head baseball coach Rich Hill signs three-year extension
Hill's contract was set to expire following the upcoming 2026 season.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 19, 2025

Hawai‘i women's basketball heads to Maui
The Rainbow Wahine are playing in the Maui Classic for the first time, a tournament hosted by Oregon State on the Valley Isle.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 19, 2025

Dismantling of Aloha Stadium underway
Officials reiterated that spring 2029 remains the target date for the new stadium.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 19, 2025

Hawai‘i remains focused on Cal ahead of bowl game
Despite early departures on the team, the Rainbow Warriors are intensifying their preparation against a Cal squad that has a bevy of talent and Island ties.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 18, 2025

Hawai‘i's Kansei Matsuzawa named consensus All-American
The star kicker became the first player in program history to earn the distinction on Tuesday.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 17, 2025

First-time winners take the throne at 2025 Honolulu Marathon
Tsegay Weldlibanos of Eretria and Calli Hauger-Thackery of Great Britain won their respective divisions on Sunday, both finishing ahead of the defending champion for each gender.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 14, 2025

Kansei Matsuzawa finishes as Lou Groza Award finalist
Matsuzawa was one of three finalists for the award, which was given to Oklahoma's Tate Sandell on Friday.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 13, 2025

Jessiya Villa is Hawai‘i's ultimate college basketball journeyman
Villa, 27, is senior point guard at UH-Hilo. It's his third different stop at a collegiate basketball program in the Islands.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 12, 2025

Kansei Matsuzawa awaits Friday's Lou Groza Award results
Matsuzawa and UH special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield were recently in Orlando, Fla. for the Groza Award banquet and festivities.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 12, 2025

Standout Hawai‘i receiver Jackson Harris enters transfer portal
Harris earned All-Mountain West honors in his lone year with the Rainbow Warriors.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 11, 2025

UH looks to capitalize on first Hawai‘i Bowl since 2019
Members of the team are relishing the opportunity to play in their hometown bowl game.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 10, 2025

Campbell makes history with HHSAA Open Division State title game win
The Sabers outlasted Kamehameha in a 26-23 thriller, clinching the school's first-ever HHSAA Open Division title.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 06, 2025

Wai‘anae's Max Holloway announces next fight
Holloway will face Charles Oliveira on March 7 in Las Vegas.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 06, 2025

Hawai‘i to face California in Hawai‘i Bowl filled with storylines
The Rainbow Warriors will host the Bears on Christmas Eve at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 05, 2025

Prized Kamehameha prospects sign with college destinations before state title game
Senior standouts Taimane Purcell and Malakai Lee signed with their respective future colleges on Wednesday morning.
Christian ShimabukuDecember 03, 2025