Christian Shimabuku is a digital sports reporter for KHON2, where his online coverage of Hawaii sports supplements KHON2’s on-air product.
A sports fanatic first and foremost, he grew up in five different countries. Family ties in Hawaii drew him close to the sports scene in the 50th state from a young age.
He began his studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2014, where he also got his start in journalism at Ka Leo O Hawaii, the student newspaper. In 2015, he joined the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, where his work appeared in the print product, as well as Hawaii Prep World and Hawaii Warrior World, the Star-Advertiser’s online outlets for high school sports and University of Hawaii athletics.
After graduating from UH-Manoa in 2018 with degrees in Journalism and English, he interned with The Sporting News in Charlotte, N.C. for a summer before returning to the Star-Advertiser.
In late 2019, he joined KHON2 after four years at the Star-Advertiser, with the ongoing goal of expanding KHON2’s presence in the Hawaii sports digital realm.
Currently, his work can be found primarily on the KHON2 website’s sports tab. Along with the rest of the sports team at KHON2, his main objective is to cover all levels of Hawaii sports (amateur, college and pro) in a variety of forms, from shortform to longform, as well as breaking news. He can also be seen at a variety of local sporting events assisting with filming for KHON2’s coverage on TV and social media.
Throughout all of his childhood moves and stops in journalism, the Hawaii sports scene has always had a special place in his heart and continues to be at the forefront of his mind. Every day on the job is a chance for him to do what he loves, and the opportunity to build relationships with Hawaii’s sports figures and tell their stories is one he truly cherishes.
