Ross Shimabuku built a strong name across American television over two decades. He worked in major cities before choosing to return to his Hawaiian roots. His career path reflects both professional dedication and deep personal values.
His journey moved from sports reporting to morning news anchoring with great success. Ross Shimabuku earned respect in every market he worked throughout his career. Viewers in Hawaii still remember him as a trusted and warm on-screen presence.
Today in 2026, he continues contributing to his community through healthcare media work. He left daily news behind but never stopped serving the people of Hawaii. His story remains one of the most genuine in local broadcasting history.
Who Is Ross Shimabuku?
Ross Shimabuku is a respected Hawaiian broadcaster with over twenty years of experience. He is best known for his morning anchor role on KHON2 television. His professional reputation extends from local sports coverage to national news broadcasting.
He began as a sports journalist before transitioning into full-time news anchoring. Ross Shimabuku developed a loyal following across the Hawaiian Islands over many years. His ability to connect with everyday viewers set him apart from many peers.
Beyond his on-screen work, he is admired for his community advocacy efforts. He used his television platform to support families caring for elderly loved ones. That commitment to public service defines who Ross Shimabuku truly is.
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Ross Shimabuku Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ross Shimabuku |
| Origin | Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii |
| High School | Kalani High School, East Honolulu |
| University | Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona |
| Degree | Bachelor of Science in Accounting |
| Career Field | Broadcast Journalism, Sports Anchoring, Healthcare Communications |
| First TV Role | Sports Anchor, KGMB Honolulu |
| Major Markets | Phoenix, San Diego, New York City |
| National Network | Al Jazeera America, New York |
| KHON2 Tenure | May 2018 – June 2023 |
| Co-Anchor | Kristine Uyeno |
| Signature Segment | Kupuna Caregiver, KHON2 |
| Acting Credit | The West Wing, character Derek Wentworth |
| Current Employer | The Queen’s Health Systems, Honolulu |
| Current Role | Corporate Communications and Content Creator |
| Partner | Nohea |
| Father | George Shoichi “Dado” Shimabuku, deceased |
| Mother | Gladys Setsuko Shimabuku, deceased 2022 |
| Siblings | Eric, Karen, Sandy, Lisa |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million to $3 million |
Ross Shimabuku Age
Ross Shimabuku has never publicly confirmed his exact birth date. He has always kept personal details like age away from media attention. Career records help provide a reasonable estimate of his current age.
His university records trace back to Arizona State University in the late 1980s. Based on his educational and professional timeline, he is likely in his mid to late 50s in 2026. That estimate aligns with everything documented about his broadcasting career.
Estimated Age Timeline
| Milestone | Estimated Period |
| High School Graduation | Late 1980s |
| ASU Graduation | Around 1989 to 1991 |
| First TV Role at KGMB | Early to mid 1990s |
| Move to Phoenix at KTVK | 2001 |
| Total Broadcasting Career | 25 plus years |
| Estimated Age in 2026 | Mid to late 50s |
Ross Shimabuku Early Life And Education: From Accounting to Broadcast Journalism
Ross Shimabuku grew up in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu on Oahu. He attended Kalani High School in East Honolulu during his formative years. Sports and storytelling were two passions he carried with him from childhood.
He later enrolled at Arizona State University to study business and finance. He completed a full accounting degree but never pursued a corporate career path. His love for media pulled him in a completely different and more fulfilling direction.
Education and Career Pivot Overview
| Stage | Detail |
| Hometown | Kaimuki, Honolulu, Oahu |
| High School | Kalani High School, East Honolulu |
| University | Arizona State University, Tempe |
| Degree Earned | B.S. in Accounting |
| Degree Status | Completed but never used professionally |
| Career Chosen | Broadcast Journalism and Sports Anchoring |
| First TV Break | KGMB Honolulu, local CBS affiliate |
| Skills at Entry | Natural on-camera presence and sports knowledge |
| Mainland Move | Phoenix, Arizona in 2001 |
| Reason for Pivot | Passion for media over desk-based finance work |
Ross Shimabuku Family
Ross Shimabuku comes from a large and close Hawaiian family rooted in Oahu. He is the youngest of five children and often called the baby of the family. His parents were deeply loved figures within the local Honolulu community.
His father, George Shoichi Shimabuku, later developed Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Ross made the personal decision to return home and support his mother Gladys with daily caregiving. That choice became the most defining moment of his personal story.
All four of his siblings also live in Hawaii and contributed to the family care effort. His brother Eric and sisters Karen, Sandy, and Lisa remained involved throughout that difficult time. The extended family also includes several nieces, nephews, and one great-niece.
Is Ross Shimabuku Married?
As of 2026, Ross Shimabuku is not married to anyone publicly known. He has maintained a long and stable relationship with his partner Nohea. The couple keeps their personal life largely out of the public eye.
He rarely discusses romantic matters in interviews or on social media platforms. Family announcements have consistently recognized both Ross and Nohea together as a couple. Their relationship has remained steady through every major life and career transition.
People who know him describe Ross Shimabuku as deeply private and family-oriented by nature. His focus has always centered on his parents, siblings, and personal close circle. No public marriage announcement has been made at any point through 2026.
Ross Shimabuku Partner Nohea
Nohea has been a consistent and supportive presence in Ross Shimabuku’s life for many years. She stood by him during his return to Hawaii and through his caregiving responsibilities. Their relationship is recognized in formal family records and local community circles.
Ross has never spoken in detail about Nohea during public interviews or media appearances. He keeps her away from attention out of personal respect and privacy. That protective approach reflects how he handles all matters related to his personal world.
Despite limited information available to the public, their bond is well established locally. Whenever family milestones are acknowledged, the two are listed and recognized together. Nohea continues to be an important part of Ross Shimabuku’s personal life in 2026.
Ross Shimabuku Departure from KHON2: What We Know
Ross Shimabuku concluded his time at KHON2 News in June 2023 after five years. His departure from the morning broadcast was respectful and entirely without controversy. Both the station and its viewers responded to his exit with warmth and appreciation.
The demands of a live morning broadcast eventually became difficult to sustain long-term. Waking before dawn every single day took a real physical and personal toll on him. Moving into a corporate daytime role gave him a healthier and more manageable routine.
His move into healthcare communications was a deliberate and well-planned career decision. The Queen’s Health Systems offered a platform that aligned with his community values perfectly. Ross Shimabuku left local news with a strong legacy and genuine viewer respect across Hawaii.
Ross Shimabuku Career Timeline: Major Landmarks in Mainland and National Sports Broadcasting
Ross Shimabuku spent seventeen years advancing through competitive American broadcasting markets. He moved from local Hawaiian sports coverage all the way to national television anchoring. Every step in his career reflected consistent discipline and strong professional growth.
His path covered four major stations across four different American cities over time. He grew from an entry-level sports reporter into a nationally recognized broadcast anchor. That progression stands as one of the strongest careers in all of Hawaiian media history.
Career Milestones
- Started as a local sports anchor at KGMB in Honolulu during the 1990s.
- Joined KTVK Phoenix in 2001 as Sports Director and Weeknight Sports Anchor.
- Covered the historic 2001 World Series during his very first mainland year.
- Moved to KSWB Fox 5 San Diego in 2009 as primary Sports Director.
- Managed NFL, MLB, and collegiate sports coverage across Southern California.
- Joined Al Jazeera America in New York City in 2013 as a national anchor.
- Reported live from four Super Bowls and the NCAA Final Four during his career.
- Returned to Hawaii and joined KHON2 as morning co-anchor in May 2018.
- Completed his KHON2 run in June 2023 after five impactful years on air.
- Currently works at The Queen’s Health Systems in Honolulu as of 2026.
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Why the Native Hawaiian Journalist Left the Mainland for Honolulu?
Ross Shimabuku left a flourishing mainland career for one deeply personal reason alone. His father George had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and advancing dementia. Returning home to support his family became more urgent than any professional opportunity.
He moved back into his childhood home in Kaimuki to share caregiving responsibilities daily. His mother Gladys needed consistent hands-on help that the family took on together. Ross accepted that responsibility with full commitment and without any public hesitation.
The morning news schedule at KHON2 fit his caregiving routine almost perfectly. Finishing the broadcast by midday left his afternoons free for family duties. That practical balance allowed Ross Shimabuku to honor both his career and his parents at once.
Returning to Hawaii: Ross Shimabuku Impactful Run on KHON2 Wake Up 2day
Ross Shimabuku joined KHON2 as co-anchor of Wake Up 2day starting in May 2018. He brought seventeen years of major market experience directly into the Hawaii morning broadcast. His on-screen connection with co-anchor Kristine Uyeno quickly built a strong local audience.
The live morning show ran for four and a half hours every weekday without interruption. Ross handled breaking news, health features, and community stories with steady and natural confidence. Viewers across the Hawaiian islands responded positively to his approachable and genuine style throughout.
He used that daily platform to launch health and eldercare segments with real lasting impact. His personal caregiving experience gave those stories a depth that viewers could feel immediately. By June 2023 when he departed, Ross Shimabuku had genuinely reshaped local morning television in Hawaii.
The Kupuna Caregiver Segment: A Personal Mission for Hawaii’s Seniors
The Kupuna Caregiver segment appeared on KHON2 on the first Monday of every month. Ross Shimabuku hosted these features to help island families navigate elder care challenges. It became one of the most meaningful and emotionally resonant segments in the morning lineup.
He brought local medical professionals and nonprofit organizations onto the program regularly. Groups like Gimme a Break and services like CareSift for Seniors were highlighted for viewers. Those episodes connected real families across Hawaii with practical and accessible support resources.
Ross drew directly from his own caregiving journey to bring authenticity to each episode. That personal honesty created a rare level of trust between him and the viewing audience. The Kupuna Caregiver segment remains one of the most meaningful parts of his professional legacy.
A Look Back at Ross Shimabuku 20-Year Television Career
Ross Shimabuku spent more than two decades developing his identity as a broadcast journalist. He moved through local, regional, and national television with consistent and measurable professional growth. His full career arc stands as one of the most complete in all of Hawaiian broadcasting.
He began covering sports in Honolulu before earning opportunities in major mainland markets. Phoenix, San Diego, and New York City each added important experience and professional depth. Every market he worked in prepared him for the next and ultimately for his return home.
His return to Honolulu in 2018 became the most purposeful chapter of his entire career. Ross Shimabuku used local television to serve his community in a deeply meaningful way. The twenty-plus years of experience before that moment made everything he built in Hawaii possible.
Ross Shimabuku Most Memorable Broadcast Moments
The 2001 World Series remains the most powerful moment in Ross Shimabuku’s sports career. He covered the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees series just weeks after the September 11 attacks. That assignment demanded both strong journalism and real emotional maturity under national pressure.
He also anchored live coverage from four different Super Bowls throughout his broadcasting years. Each one required high-pressure performance in front of enormous nationwide television audiences. Those major experiences built the professional confidence that carried him through his entire media career.
Hawaii viewers also remember his warm and spontaneous personality from the morning show years. He occasionally sang on air during Wake Up 2day, which delighted local audiences regularly. That natural humor and human warmth made Ross Shimabuku one of Hawaii’s most beloved television personalities.
Ross Shimabuku Net Worth and Professional Achievements
Ross Shimabuku built his financial standing through more than twenty years of consistent broadcast work. His career spanned local, regional, and national television markets across several major American cities. Estimates place his net worth somewhere between one million and three million dollars as of 2026.
Those figures reflect years of competitive anchor contracts in high-demand broadcasting environments. His national role at Al Jazeera America and his long KHON2 tenure both contributed significantly. His current role at The Queen’s Health Systems continues to provide professional and financial stability.
Net Worth and Achievements Overview
| Category | Detail |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million to $3 million, unverified |
| Primary Income Source | 20-plus years of broadcast anchor and director salaries |
| Major Market Contracts | Phoenix, San Diego, New York City |
| National TV Premium | Al Jazeera America national anchor role |
| Local Flagship Contract | KHON2 Wake Up 2day co-anchor, 2018 to 2023 |
| Entertainment Residuals | The West Wing acting credit as Derek Wentworth |
| Current Role Income | Corporate Communications, The Queen’s Health Systems |
| Community Achievement | Kupuna Caregiver segment on KHON2 |
| Industry Recognition | 25-plus years of uninterrupted broadcast media work |
| Career Legacy | Healthcare journalism and eldercare advocacy in Hawaii |
Covering the Big Leagues: KTVK Phoenix, Fox 5 San Diego, and Al Jazeera America
Ross Shimabuku arrived in Phoenix in 2001 and quickly established himself at KTVK. He rose to Sports Director and anchored nightly sports coverage for eight full years there. His very first mainland assignment included covering the historic and emotionally significant 2001 World Series.
He then relocated to San Diego and took on the Sports Director role at KSWB Fox 5. His coverage there included the Padres, the Chargers, and Pac-12 college athletics every week. Sunday night sports wrap-up programs became one of his signature contributions at that station.
In 2013, Ross Shimabuku made his largest career leap by joining Al Jazeera America in Manhattan. He anchored national sports programming and introduced live social media viewer segments to broadcasts. That national platform gave him the widest audience reach of his entire professional career.
The Transition from Sports Journalism to Flagship Morning News Anchor
Moving from sports director to morning news anchor was a significant professional shift for Ross. Evening sports schedules meant late nights, while morning news required waking before sunrise daily. That lifestyle change required a full reset of both his schedule and his broadcast approach.
Sports anchoring focuses on game highlights, analysis, and energy-driven scripted content delivery. Morning news demanded rapid shifts between breaking stories, community features, and lighter lifestyle content. Ross Shimabuku adapted to that wider range quickly and performed with consistent on-screen confidence.
The transition was shaped more by family purpose than by professional ambition alone. The early morning schedule freed his afternoons completely for time with his parents at home. That alignment between work hours and personal responsibility made the career shift exactly right for him.
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Where Is Ross Shimabuku Working Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Ross Shimabuku works full-time at The Queen’s Health Systems in Honolulu. He holds a corporate communications and content creation role within that major healthcare organization. His broadcast background makes him a natural and effective producer of health-focused media content.
He writes, scripts, and hosts video features covering important medical topics for public audiences. His content addresses areas including robotic lung cancer screenings and advanced spine care treatments. These features help residents across Hawaii understand complex health information in clear and simple terms.
Ross Shimabuku also works alongside local television affiliates, including HI Now Daily, on segments. He appears alongside Queen’s Health specialists to discuss public health priorities for island communities. His current work carries the same community-first values that defined his entire television career.
Last Words
Ross Shimabuku represents a rare kind of media professional in today’s broadcasting landscape. He consistently placed personal integrity and family responsibility above career advancement or prestige. That genuine character earned him a level of public trust very few local journalists ever achieve.
His story continues unfolding in 2026 through meaningful work at The Queen’s Health Systems. He keeps using broadcast storytelling to educate and serve the Hawaiian community every single day. Ross Shimabuku remains one of the most respected and recognized names in Hawaiian media history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ross Shimabuku now?
He currently works at The Queen’s Health Systems in Honolulu, Hawaii, producing healthcare media content for public audiences.
Why did Ross Shimabuku leave KHON2?
He stepped away in June 2023 to pursue a more sustainable daily routine through corporate healthcare communications work.
Is Ross Shimabuku still appearing on TV in Hawaii?
He no longer anchors daily news but regularly appears in health-focused segments through local affiliates like HI Now Daily.
What is Ross Shimabuku doing in 2026?
He produces and hosts medical community spotlights and health features for The Queen’s Health Systems in Honolulu.
Who was the co-anchor with Ross Shimabuku at KHON2?
Kristine Uyeno served as his co-anchor throughout his five-year run on Wake Up 2day at KHON2.
Did Ross Shimabuku anchor for a national television network?
He anchored for Al Jazeera America in New York City from 2013 until the network shut down operations.
Has Ross Shimabuku ever acted in a television series?
He appeared in The West Wing playing a reporter character named Derek Wentworth in a guest role.
What major sporting events did Ross Shimabuku cover during his career?
He covered four Super Bowls, the NCAA Final Four, and the emotionally significant 2001 World Series in Phoenix.
Is Ross Shimabuku originally from Hawaii?
He was born and raised in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu on the island of Oahu.
What degree did Ross Shimabuku earn before entering broadcasting?
He completed a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Arizona State University before choosing broadcast journalism.