James Charisma is an award-winning writer and editor in Honolulu, covering stories in topics ranging from architecture to zoology.
His work has appeared in Playboy, VICE, New York Magazine, Complex, Hyperallergic, Total Film, Paste, Inverse, Hi-Fructose, Whitehot, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications.
The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA, US, Travel Writer
Travel writer for the Los Angeles Times, a leading source of breaking news, entertainment, sports, politics, and more for Southern California and the world, with the fourth-largest circulation among U.S. newspapers.
Responsible for contributing feature articles for the travel section in print and online; monitoring national and regional arts, culture, dining, and entertainment trends; researching content, conducting interviews, and representing the L.A. Times brand when appropriate; coordinating and collaborating with senior editors; proofreading and editing drafts; organizing photography when applicable; and adhering to fast turnaround deadlines.
HILuxury Magazine, Honolulu, HI, US, Architecture Writer
Architecture writer for HILuxury, the premier culture magazine for Hawaii, distributed to more than 20,000 luxury homes, hotels, resorts, VIP lounges, and shopping centers across the United States. Exclusive interviews, fashion, fine autos, dining, travel and more.
VICE Media, Brooklyn, NY, US, Contributing Writer
Culture writer for VICE Media, the digital media and broadcasting company reaching 25 million unique monthly visitors per month.
Responsible for contributing feature articles and essays on subjects including Chuck Palahniuk, Afred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Angus Oblong, John McClane, and James Bond.
Playboy Enterprises, Los Angeles, CA, US, Contributing Writer
Entertainment writer for Playboy, one of the world's most well known lifestyle brands with a network reaching over 50 million men per month worldwide.
Responsible for contributing feature articles, interviews, and essays on subjects including Christopher Nolan, Vince Gilligan, Ryan Coogler, Robert Kirkman, Tom Morello, and Gene Roddenberry.
HONOLULU Magazine, Honolulu, HI, US, Contributing Editor
Since March 2014, an award-winning regular contributor of arts and culture articles to HONOLULU, Hawaii's biggest city magazine and America's oldest publication west of the Mississippi River. Offered a Contributing Editor masthead title in October 2016.
Charisma Industries, Honolulu, HI, US, Creative Director
Co-founded a design agency specializing in developing creative content for print and digital media. Services include design, brand and identity development, web building, copywriting, photography, illustration, business consulting, public relations, social media, and more.
Summit Magazine, Honolulu, HI, US, Associate Editor / Director of Marketing & Development
Associate editor and marketing director for Summit, Hawaii's 180-page global magazine, with in-depth coverage of architecture, arts, design, style, business, civics, and literature in the Hawaiian hemisphere, composing essays, articles, guides, and special advertorial sections.
HONBLUE, Iwilei, HI, US, Creative Consultant
Assisted with corporate branding and image consulting for HONBLUE, the largest print company and AEC services provider in the state; wrote regular copy and edits for web and print; and grew and managed social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for HONBLUE and the sister organizations of Electric Pencil, JETGraphics, and Zoombis.
Helped to conceptualize and develop "the Inkubator," an educational program for emerging Hawaii graphic designers, artists, and creatives.
Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, HI, US, Instructor
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, US, Bachelors, Psychology
Specializing in psychopathology, industrial-organizational psychology, anthropological criminology, clinical, and abnormal personality behavior profiling.
Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, US, Criminology & Criminal Justice
Specializing in forensic pathology, behavioral analysis, criminal psychology, and conducting crime scene investigations.
The American City Business Journals' Annual 40 Under 40 Award, Award
Recognized as the youngest recipient out of 40 emerging leaders who are making a difference in both Hawaii's economy and the community by Pacific Business News in 2019.
The Society of Professional Journalists, Excellence in Journalism Award, 2nd Place
Online Features Reporting Finalist at the Society of Professional Journalists Awards for "Kamaka Looks Forward," published November 2016 for HONOLULU Magazine.
The American Advertising Federation, Local Gold ADDY Award, 1st Place
Wrote the screenplay for the 'Ohina 2016 festival film trailer that would go on to win a Silver Medal at the 2017 Hawaii American Advertising "Pele" Awards in Honolulu.
The Hawaii Publisher's Association, Pa'i Award, 2nd Place
Second Place Arts & Entertainment Pa'i Award for "Kamaka Looks Forward," published November 2016 for HONOLULU Magazine.
The American Advertising Federation, National Gold ADDY Award, 1st Place
Wrote the screenplay for the 'Ohina Short Film Showcase 2016 festival film trailer that would go on to win a Gold Medal at the 2017 National American Advertising Awards in New Orleans.
