Arakawa was born in Hawaii in December 1959 and grew up in the state. She studied piano while growing up in Honolulu and, as an 11-year-old sixth grader, performed in youth concerts in front of thousands of first and second graders at the Honolulu International Center Concert Hall, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported in 1971.

In March last year, a frail-looking Gene Hackman clung onto the arm of his wife as they made their way to a local restaurant. It was the first time the couple had been seen in public for over 20 years.