November 2025

A Message of Gratitude

Aloha e DAC Supporters,

Every November, I reflect on gratitude, culminating in Thanksgiving with family and friends.

The best decision I ever made was moving home as a single mom. It was frightening to start over, but in that journey I found hope, purpose, and community. I discovered my light and learned that even through challenges, life moves forward when we do so with determination and heart.

Each year, my husband, Louis, and I counted our blessings and shared our “what ifs” — the dreams we still wanted to bring to life.

As one of the founding visionaries of Downtown Art Center (DAC), I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our blessings from the past five years and share a few of our “what ifs” for the future.

Five friends came together at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown with a bold idea: to create a home for Honolulu’s arts and culture community. With just $5,000, five nonprofit partners, and a lot of grit, we opened DAC’s first exhibition space in Chinatown Gateway Plaza.

Month by month, year by year, we grew, powered by determination, collaboration, and the belief that art can transform our city from vacant to vibrant. Today, DAC is a thriving arts and cultural destination, helping to revitalize Downtown Chinatown and strengthen Hawai‘i’s creative community.

We’ve come this far because of you.

We’re deeply grateful for our dedicated staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, artists, cultural partners, and generous donors who keep the light shining at DAC.

As we look ahead to the next five years, our “what ifs” continue to guide us:

What if we expand our exhibitions, classes, events, and dedicated team?

With your continued support — your time, talent, and treasure — we’ll keep spreading light through creativity, community, and collaboration.

As the year comes to a close, I hope you’ll keep DAC in your heart during this season of giving. Every donation, large or small, reflects your belief in the power of the arts to uplift and strengthen our community.

With gratitude,

Sandra Pohl, Executive Director