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.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Christian Shimabuku

Hawai‘i football sold short again in latest EA Sports release
EA Sports College Football 27 was released on Monday, the latest in an annual installment of college football video games.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 07, 2026

Hawai‘i Athletics rings in new era
On Wednesday, UH officially became a full-time member of the Mountain West Conference after 14 years in the Big West. The athletic department's new TV rights deal kicked in that same day.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 03, 2026

Sony Open rebrands as PGA Tour Champions event
The PGA Tour Champions is reserved for professional men's golfers 50 and over. The Sony Open previously served as a PGA Tour event from 1965 to 2026.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 01, 2026

Roosevelt High School unveils brand new gymnasium
The $35 million project was part of a master plan to have the school's facilities up to DOE standards.
Christian ShimabukuJune 30, 2026

After over a decade in the NFL, Marcus Mariota continues to share his gift
On Monday, Mariota's Motiv8 Foundation held its 10th annual golf tournament, a key fundraiser for the organization's mission in supporting local communities, underserved youth and homeless populations, among other initiatives.
Christian ShimabukuJune 30, 2026

WWE heads to Hawai‘i in search of next star
The world's leading professional wrestling promotion will be in search of new talent from the Islands this weekend at the Hi Fit Expo.
Christian ShimabukuJune 27, 2026

Warriors Don't Bully returns for sequel at Hi Fit Expo
Two anti-bullying and self-defense sessions will be held at the Hi Fit Expo at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall this weekend.
Christian ShimabukuJune 26, 2026

Q&A: New Hawai‘i women's volleyball head coach Joshua Walker hits the ground running
Walker, a former UH men's volleyball player and assistant coach, returns to his alma mater after four seasons on Baylor's staff.
Christian ShimabukuJune 25, 2026

Northern California club brings artistic swimming to Hawai‘i
Walnut Creek Aquanuts, an artistic swimming club from Northern California, recently held an international event at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
Christian ShimabukuJune 24, 2026

From Lāʻie to The League: Kahuku's Tolu Smith represents the Red Raiders along NBA journey
In 2025, Smith became just the second player who graduated from a high school in the Islands to appear in an NBA game, joining Hilo's Red Rocha, who debuted in the NBA in 1950.
Christian ShimabukuJune 23, 2026

Q&A: Wendell Look reflects on his ‘Iolani career
Look is retiring as the school's athletic director and head football coach on June 30 after spending over four decades at the school.
Christian ShimabukuJune 20, 2026

Hawai‘i baseball set to reshuffle coaching staff
The Rainbow Warriors will need a new pitching and hitting coach after recent departures.
Christian ShimabukuJune 19, 2026

‘Iolani's Judah Ota earns invite to 2026 MLB Draft Combine
Ota, a senior outfielder, will play collegiately at the University of Arkansas if he chooses not to go pro this summer.
Christian ShimabukuJune 18, 2026

Hawai‘i star pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno to enter NCAA transfer portal
Magdaleno, a junior, is also eligible for the 2026 MLB Draft, which begins on July 11.
Christian ShimabukuJune 17, 2026

University of Hawai‘i sailing coach Andy Johnson retires
Johnson, the longest tenured coach at UH prior to the announcement, had been the school's sailing coach since 1989.
Christian ShimabukuJune 16, 2026

Pālolo proud: Jayden Maiava doesn't shy away from his roots along football journey
Maiava, the first Polynesian quarterback to start for USC, took some time back home before the most consequential season of his young football career
Christian ShimabukuMay 26, 2026

HHSAA reveals Hall of Honor Class of 2026
Twelve student athletes will each receive a $2,000 scholarship. Honorees come from public and private high schools and represent a wide range of sports, from swimming to football.
Christian ShimabukuMay 25, 2026

Darren Matsuda out as Punahou boys basketball coach
The Buffanblu won three HHSAA titles under Matsuda.
Christian ShimabukuMay 23, 2026

Aloha Stadium tours to be made available to University of Hawai‘i football recruits
Executive Director Michael Yadao believes it's important for prospective players to be able to take a look at their future home.
Christian ShimabukuMay 22, 2026

Hawai‘i baseball eliminated from Big West Conference tournament
The Rainbow Warriors fell to Cal State Fullerton in Wednesday's tournament play-in game, ending their tenure in the Big West.
Christian ShimabukuMay 21, 2026

Hawai‘i Pacific University set to add women's flag football program
HPU will be the first college athletics program in the state to add flag football.
Christian ShimabukuMay 21, 2026

Hawai‘i baseball set for final Big West Conference tournament
The Rainbow Warriors will take on Cal State Fullerton in Wednesday's play-in game.
Christian ShimabukuMay 20, 2026

Moanalua wins 2026 HHSAA Division I girls flag football championship
Na Menehune staged a late, dramatic comeback to win its first state title in girls flag football.
Christian ShimabukuMay 17, 2026

Makana Wade coaches Le Jardin to first state title in boys volleyball
Makana Wade, the son of UH men's volleyball head coach Charlie Wade, led the Bulldogs to the HHSAA title in his first season at the helm.
Christian ShimabukuMay 17, 2026

Hawai‘i men's volleyball standout Kristian Titriyski to turn pro early
Titriyski is forgoing his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility to turn pro in his native Bulgaria.
Christian ShimabukuMay 15, 2026

Hawai‘i men's volleyball makes the rounds following national championship
The Rainbow Warriors and their coaches have made a bevy of public appearances since winning the 2026 national championship match on Monday.
Christian ShimabukuMay 15, 2026

Magdaleno magnificent again as Hawai‘i clinches Big West tournament berth
Working on short rest, UH's ace tossed his second one-hit shutout of the month, striking out 14 CSUN batters in a 4-0 win on Wednesday night with his family in attendance.
Christian ShimabukuMay 14, 2026

Hawai‘i baseball enters final Big West series aiming to clinch spot in conference tournament
The Rainbow Warriors need to win one of their three home games against CSUN this week in order to clinch a spot in next week's Big West tournament.
Christian ShimabukuMay 13, 2026

Hawai‘i men's volleyball welcomed back home by loyal fans
The Rainbow Warriors arrived back on campus after winning their third national championship in six years.
Christian ShimabukuMay 13, 2026

Hawai‘i men's volleyball wins national championship match over UC Irvine
After a slow start, the Rainbow Warriors won their third national championship of the decade and first since 2022.
Christian ShimabukuMay 12, 2026