Back in 2003, 'Iolani School football coach Wendell Look was teaching sixth-grade P.E. and could not — for the life of him — get his future quarterback's name straight.

"He thought my name was Garrett," said Jarrett Arakawa, now a senior. "So he kept calling me 'G.' I guess it just stuck."

Look still calls him "G" to this day, although Arakawa has long since made a name for himself as one of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's premier all-around athletes.

Arakawa, a 6-foot, 180-pound left-hander, will lead the Raiders (10-2) into Friday's First Hawaiian Bank/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division II semifinals against 'Aiea (9-3).

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Radford's John Velasco Stadium.
Arakawa, a three-sport standout, ranks third among the state's DII quarterbacks in passing efficiency with a rating of 136.4. He has 202 completions in 362 attempts (55.5 percent) for 2,494 yards and 31 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions.
But as in the other sports, his value cannot be measured by stats alone.
In an early season upset of ILH DI champion Kamehameha, Arakawa threw two first-half interceptions but came back to connect on two TD passes, including a 61-yard strike to Bret Christman to help put 'Iolani up, 17-9, in the fourth quarter.
"To me, that game showed his toughness and his courage, things that don't show up in the stats," Look said. "(The Warriors) were coming after him all game and he was throwing under duress all night. But every time he got hit, he would get right back up, and the offensive line, receivers — even the defense — they see that, and it inspires them. That's what you call leadership by example."
It was not the only upset win over a DI team for the Raiders this season. The week before, Arakawa threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Barayuga as time expired to lift 'Iolani past O'ahu Interscholastic Association power Kapolei, and later he threw three TD passes in a 35-12 victory over defending state champ Punahou.
Look said Arakawa's best stat is wins: Over the past three years, he has played a key role in helping the Raiders capture ILH titles in football, basketball and baseball.
"He's not flashy and doesn't do things to draw attention," Look said. "He just knows how to win."
In basketball, Arakawa was selected to the ILH all-star second team last season despite averaging a modest 7.2 points per game. Coaches say it was a testament to his effort in setting picks, playing defense, rebounding and diving after loose balls.
"He has the respect of every player," said former 'Iolani basketball coach Mark Mugiishi, who coached Arakawa the past two seasons. "He knows what needs to be done, and he did all the little things that were critical to our success. He's very steady."
In baseball, Arakawa was named to the Advertiser All-State first team last season as a utility player, contributing throughout the year as an outfielder, designated hitter, closer and — in the ILH championship game — starting pitcher. He went 5-1 with three saves and 30 strikeouts in 14 appearances (32· innings pitched). Arakawa also batted .411 with 17 RBIs.
"Jarrett is cerebral, a real student of the game," said former Raiders baseball coach Dean Yonamine, who coached him the past three seasons. "We would take our chances with him (pitching) if we got the lead late in the game, because he thrives under pressure. He's very calm and composed — you don't know just by looking at him if he's doing well or poorly. He's always relaxed and under control."
Arakawa signed a national letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Hawai'i next season.
"I keep telling (UH associate coach) Chad Konishi, 'You guys are lucky to have him,' " Yonamine said.
Look said beneath Arakawa's stoic and low-key exterior lies a fierce competitor. And that intensity carries over to the classroom, where Arakawa maintains a 3.42 grade point average.
"He's the model 'Iolani student-athlete," said Look. "He excels in the classroom, while playing three sports at a very high level. He's proved it's possible to do it all."
Everything, except teaching his coach how to pronounce his name.
"I tried to correct him a few times," Arakawa said, "but I gave up a long time ago."