First photo: Retiring Wailuku dentist Leslie Arakaki, 65, waves to his staff to join him for a group picture on his last day of work Wednesday. After 35 years of practicing on Maui, Arakaki said it was time to retire. In retirement, he said he planned to play an additional round of golf a week, continue his volunteer work with the Kiwanis Club of Maui and join a Lions Club. “It’ll keep me busy,” he said. When asked to sum up 35 years of dentistry, he spoke about his patients. “I think we had the best patients,” he said. “I’m going to miss them and my staff. It’s going to be kind of sad to not see them.” Also retiring is his dental assistant of 34 years, Tarcy Shirota. Arakaki said Lisa Shitamoto is scheduled to take over his practice in March.

Second photo: Posing with dentist Leslie Arakaki on Wednesday morning are Celina Ito-Brja (from left), Tarcy Shirota, Joanne Shiratori and Marie Arensdorf. All but Arensdorf are retiring with Arakaki.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos