At the end of June, the (DOE) Department of Education, along with Kaua‘i principals and students will say farewell to their (CAS) Complex Area Superintendent William (Bill) Arakaki of Kaua‘i’s district, a man who served the Kaua‘i education system in many capacities over 13 years — 40 years total with the — and impacted countless lives in the process.
With his involvement in the new Kaua‘i education pilot — meant to combine new technologies and online learning with traditional classroom learning — Arakaki is still at work to further learning opportunities on the island. As he’s been preparing to switch gears away from his superintendent role, several Kaua‘i community members voiced memories about Arakaki’s career in education.
Principal Tony Sine of Hanalei School said Arakaki was his supervisor for two years — he left a strong first impression.
“Mr. Arakaki is very confident (but) also puts people first and remains student and community centered,” said Sine, voicing well wishes and remembering Arakaki’s strong storytelling skills and knack for recalling dates and details. “Thank you for all your support and guidance working with individuals and the HIDOE system.”
Principal Corey Nakamura of Wilcox Elementary School said he got to know Arakaki through his capacity as an educator in the Kaua‘i District and working with him since 1997.
“Mr. Arakaki is a strong community leader. He has strong ties to many community organizations that support children, families and schools,” said Nakamura, recalling Arakaki’s talent for bringing humor to the table, even in tough conversations. “He attends a lot of community events and is always advocating for students and families. I admire Mr. Arakaki’s approach to resolving issues within our department. His approach often results in a “win, win” for both parties. He has a calm, non-demanding way of speaking and actively listens to all sides.”
Nakamura continued: “Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. You will be truly missed. Many thanks for your contributions to public education and for being the pillar of educational leadership for many years. Take care and best wishes.”
Megan Nii, academic coach and director of the Wilcox Elementary Creative Arts Program, has worked with Arakaki for 13 years because he was their school’s Superintendent and Arakaki’s daugther Kailee Arakaki was Nii’s former student.
Nii said her first impression of Arakaki was of a very down to earth man who cared about his teachers.
“He would visit our school often and each time he would share stories and updates with our staff about his kids and his grandkids. As a teacher I always felt supported by Mr. Arakaki.,” said Nii. “He always made time to attend our Creative Arts Spring Finales even long after his daughter left our program.”
Nii said Arakaki would always send a congratulatory email after their performance to commend them and her students and that meant a lot to her and her students.
“By the end of each finale my co-teachers and I are exhausted and burnt out, and to be appreciated and recognized for our hard work, from our ‘big boss’ was so encouraging and uplifting,” said Nii.
Nii sends a heartfelt message to Arakaki: “Congratulations Mr. Arakaki. Thank you for your many years of educating, uplifting, and serving the keiki of Kaua‘i. Enjoy retirement. We will miss you.”
Since 1997, Paul Zina, Arakaki’s successor has worked with Arakaki his entire HIDOE career and it started when Arakaki was the principal at Waimea High School where Zina was teaching, “and he has been my CAS, and a VP, and principal at various schools on Kaua‘i.”
As Zina thought back over his years working side-by-side with Arakaki, what came to mind was Arakaki’s leadership skills and the impact he had on Zina’s core philosophy as school leader. He thought back to the start of Ho‘okele Elementary School, and the first day those doors opened.
“I remember how Bill’ approach came from such a professional perspective grounded in his personal belief in the three sources of knowledge that became the pillars of our work for that project,” said Zina. “Ike pilina (sense of relationships), ike honua (sense of place), and ike piko’u (responsibility for personal growth).”
Zina said Arakaki told a story that day — a story about his family and parents that was deeply personal it led to tears, not just for Arakaki but for many of of the educators present.
“Even recalling that moment I fight some tears running returning. The moments that affect us like that are rare,” said Zina. “That moment taught me so much about Bill that the years after have confirmed more so.”
Zina said it’s evident Arakaki loves his work and the island of Kaua‘i.
“I want to thank Bill for showing me that leadership at his level is deeply connected to who you are, where you come from, and those you surround yourself with to build a strong community that you are a small part of,” said Zina. “Bill was never a small part of Kaua‘i.”
Zina said Arakaki’s journey clearly makes him a huge part of Kaua‘i.
“Some might say that one has learned when they can connect the past, present, and future with the thread of human relationships to build a strong quilt work of community,” said Zina.
Zina said, “Bill is my example to follow as one of those threads in our community. That is his legacy for me. Mahalo Bill.”
Arakaki received his bachelor’s degree in Education and an Education Certificate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Before taking up the role as Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent, Arakaki served as principal at Waimea High from 1999-2007. He’s been vice principal at four schools on Kaua‘i — Kapa‘a Middle from 1996-1999, Kapa‘a High from 1993-96, Wilcox Elementary from 1992-93), and Kaua‘i High from1990-92, as well as serving as acting vice principal in the role.
He was also a teacher in Kaua‘i High School’s alternative learning center from 1988-1990.
From TGI, and the entire Kaua‘i community, “Mahalo Bill Arakaki for your 41 years of service and commitment to Kaua‘i’s students, parents, and educators.”
