As spring blossoms around us, May has brought abundant rain and vibrant flowers, a fitting metaphor for the growth and vibrancy we’re experiencing at the Donkey Mill Art Center. This season has been both busy and wonderfully productive as we wrap up our lively spring programming. May also marks a time of movement and transition: graduations, the close of the school year, and the promise of summer ahead. At the Mill, it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and breathe deeply—to tend to our roots, much like gardeners or kapa makers in their intricate rhythms of creation.
A few weeks ago, we took a moment to pause, closing our doors to refresh our facilities, catch our breath, and prepare for the energy of summer. Soon, our campus will come alive with the joy and laughter of over 30 keiki, ages 5 to 17, as they begin a five-week summer program of discovery and creativity. If you’ve visited during this time, you’ve likely felt the magic of this youthful energy; if not, we warmly invite you to experience it for yourself.
During this brief closure, our staff and board gathered for strategic planning sessions to envision the Mill’s future. Having completed our previous strategic plan in 2023, we recognized the need for renewed direction and stability. One memorable moment during these sessions was Miho’s reflection on flowing with the seasons. A kapa maker doesn’t create on demand; they nurture their materials with care throughout the year—watering, weeding, harvesting, and only then, making. This intentional, cyclical artistry reflects our work at the Mill, as we too are part of a living, breathing ecosystem that supports and sustains our community. With this perspective guiding us, our team has embraced the importance of aligning with natural rhythms. Together, we are cultivating a path forward that honors our mission, reflects our values, and prepares us to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.
So, what lies ahead? As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we are laying the groundwork for the Mill’s future to ensure its legacy endures. We are currently conducting a feasibility study to assess our capacity and refine the concepts in our Master Campus Plan. This important work prepares us to collaborate with WhiteSpace Architects as we enter the pre-design and conceptual design phase in the coming months. These efforts will provide us with detailed design drawings, cost estimates, and a project schedule, bringing us closer to our vision of expanded facilities that will serve more keiki, artists, kūpuna, and visitors for generations to come.
Over the last year, we have been fundraising to cover the architectural and engineering fees for this phase of our work. Thanks to the State of Hawai‘i Grant-in-Aid program, we are honored to receive a $300,000 award to fully support these costs. We are deeply grateful for this funding, especially during a time when the financial landscape remains uncertain. Mahalo nui to our State Representatives for their steadfast support and advocacy on our behalf.
As we reflect on this season, we are deeply grateful for the community—and for YOU—who make this work possible. Thank you for walking alongside us and nurturing the creative ecosystem that is the Donkey Mill Art Center.
Here’s to the next 30,
Ashley Raymond
Executive Director