Hawaii-Born Olympics Coach Brings Island Culture to Team USA Speed Skaters

Ryan Shimabukuro teaches athletes about 'ohana' spirit and shares local Hawaiian foods like spam musubi.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Ryan Shimabukuro, a Hawaii native who coaches the U.S. Speedskating long track team, tries to instill the 'ohana' spirit of family among his athletes, even introducing them to local Hawaiian foods like spam musubi. Shimabukuro, known for his casual attire of shorts even on the ice, is one of the most recognizable coaches on the team and is preparing six skaters to compete in the upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Why it matters

Shimabukuro's efforts to bring Hawaiian culture and values to his team highlight how coaches can foster a sense of community and family among their athletes, which can be especially important for elite competitors who spend a lot of time training and competing away from home.

The details

Shimabukuro, who moved to Utah years ago, tries to teach his athletes about the 'ohana' spirit, where everyone is considered family. He has his own children call his close friends 'uncle' and 'aunty' to reinforce this family atmosphere. Sharing local Hawaiian foods like spam musubi, which has become a team favorite, is another way Shimabukuro brings his island roots to the team. While some may question the nutritional value of spam for elite athletes, Shimabukuro says it's not a daily indulgence.

  • Shimabukuro's six Team USA athletes will compete in the Milan Cortina 2026 games.
  • Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson will lead things off early Monday morning with the 1000-meter race.

The players

Ryan Shimabukuro

A Hawaii native who is the coach of the U.S. Speedskating long track team, known for his casual attire of shorts even on the ice.

Erin Jackson

A Team USA speed skater who won gold in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Brittany Bowe

A Team USA speed skater who won bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games.

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What they’re saying

“You can take the boy out of the islands, but you can't take the islands out of the boy. It's a part of my personality, more relaxed, not so uptight.”

— Ryan Shimabukuro, Coach (hawaiinewsnow.com)

“I think I've seen him in pants a couple of times when it's like a rule that he has to wear pants.”

— Erin Jackson, Team Member (hawaiinewsnow.com)

“I have my children call my good friends uncle and aunty. I try to bring that to the team atmosphere that, hey, we are a family, so support each other like a family.”

— Ryan Shimabukuro, Coach (hawaiinewsnow.com)

“They're really amazing.”

— Erin Jackson, Team Member (hawaiinewsnow.com)

“Spam musubi is her favorite thing after a long bike ride or hard day of racing. She had never eaten spam before, saying the closest thing she had growing up was baloney.”

— Brittany Bowe, Team Member (hawaiinewsnow.com)

What’s next

Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson will lead things off early Monday morning with the 1000-meter race at the Milan Cortina 2026 games.

The takeaway

Shimabukuro's efforts to bring Hawaiian culture and values to his elite speed skating team show how coaches can foster a sense of community and family among their athletes, which can be especially important for competitors who spend a lot of time training and competing away from home.