Cheryl Arakaki’s educational journey shows dedication and hard work while working and raising a family. (Photo by Makayla Dilliner)

By Makayla Dilliner | Staff Writer

Cheryl Arakaki is a family attorney and Kapiʻolani Community College paralegal instructor who, after once dropping out of KCC, went back to school while raising her newborn daughter and continuing to work. The University of Hawai‘i and Richardson Law School alumna now serves as a legal educator for the next generation of paralegals and attorneys.

With a non-traditional journey as a returning student, Arakaki’s experience serves as a testament to success for students from all walks of life.

“Having my daughter really gave me purpose in pursuing education,” the 53-year-old said. “I needed to get it done [bachelor’s and juris doctor degree]. I needed to come out and have some kind of degree where I could earn money.”

As a graduate of Kaimukī High School, school for Arakaki, like many students, was a way to socialize and connect with friends.

Arakaki attended KCC in 1989 in order to meet the expectations of her parents. However, after a year, she decided to instead join the workforce as a banker. It was not until almost five years later when she gave birth to her first child that Arakaki reconsidered her options when it came to her education and career. 

After re-entering college, this time Honolulu Community College in 1995, Arakaki attended night school while continuing to work and raise her newborn child. As a new mother, Arakaki enrolled in as many as 21 credits a semester.

“I thought, wait a minute, I don’t have a career. I don’t really have anything going for me,” she said. “How am I going to give things to my child?”

Her journey in education illustrated her dedication to herself but to her newly formed family. Through hard work and dedication, Arakaki was able to complete her bachelor’s in Political Science at UH Mānoa in 1998, graduating in only three years with honors. Finally, in 2001, Arakaki earned her juris doctor degree from William S. Richardson School of Law with a concentration in Family Law and passed the bar exam later that same year. Finally becoming a family law attorney. 

“Luckily I had very strong family support with my daughter,” Arakaki said. “Even though I was busy with school, I think she benefited from watching that. She’s 31 years old now and also an attorney with a good work ethic.” 

Now, with both synchronous and asynchronous classes as a first-year full-time instructor, Arakaki has come full circle at the campus she attended her first year of college.

“She’s a very competent legal practitioner and you know, she does excellent work,” said Kim Koide Iwao, Paralegal program director. “She’s an amazing instructor and person.”

Through classes like Family Law, Introduction to Hawai‘i Legal System, Torts, Advanced torts, Legal Research and Writing, Arakaki bridges the gap between her career as a family lawyer and legal educator.

“I love the students, KCC students, they’re great, very interactive, and very down to earth,” Arakaki said.

No matter where you are in your academic journey, Arakaki stressed that the uncertainty is what may ultimately make you grow.

“Life can lead you to any twist and turn,” she said. “It’s all about gaining the experience and having emotional growth throughout each chapter of your life. Law gave me the confidence that if I have a problem in life, I can work to solve it and work toward the solution. That, I think, is what law gives everybody.”