06/08/2026
Born on April 9, 1891, in Kula, Maui, Frank Futoshi Arakawa became one of Hawaiʻi Island’s most influential architects and engineers. At the age of five, his family moved to Hilo, where his parents opened a small general merchandise store.
Frank graduated as part of Hilo High School’s very first graduating class before continuing his studies at Stanford University, earning a degree in civil engineering. He later returned home to Hilo, where he began a remarkable career shaping the island’s architectural landscape.
From 1915 to 1942, Frank served as Hawaiʻi County’s deputy engineer and architect. Through both his county work and private practice, he designed many of the Big Island’s most recognizable educational, commercial, and civic buildings, including the Manago Hotel in Kona, the Hilo Fire Station, Hilo High School, to name a few. Notably, he was the architect of Honokaʻa High School, and Honokaʻa Union Church.
During World War II, Frank was interned because of his Japanese ancestry. After his release, he never returned to live in Hawaiʻi.
Today, his legacy lives on through the historic buildings that continue to serve communities across the island.
Photo by: Arakawa Family Collection
