Coach Arakaki has a solid background in swimming. He started swimming at age 7 with Keo Nakama (Ohio Buckeye, elite swimmer and swam the Moloka'i Channel) and later with Coach Soichi Sakamoto of Hawaii Swimming Club, later swimming for Kaimuki High School.
Started coaching in 1969 with Hawaii Swimming Club (learning techniques from Coach Sakamoto) and went back to his Alma Mater to coach the Kaimuki High School swimming team. When Coach Sakamoto retired, Coach Arakaki took over as Head Coach of Hawaii Swimming Club 1981-1994. Coach Yamamoto is now the Head Coach for the Hawaii Swimming Club
Coach Arakaki has taught at Local swim schools (Mid Pac Learn-to-swim), City and County Palolo, Kapaolono, Kalani Recreation swim programs. Coached swimmers that has participated at district, state, regional and at the National level.