Alumni Spotlight: Welcoming Dannan Back to Damien

Introducing our new Community & Parent Relations Liaison

If there’s one thing that defines the Damien ʻohana, it’s the way our community stays connected, even long after graduation. For 1999 graduate, Dannan Smith, his strong ties to Damien is what made it an easy decision to accept the role of Community and Parent Relations Liaison.

Long before taking on this role, he was already deeply rooted in our community, as a student, alumnus, coach, and now as a member of our leadership team. His dedication to Damien comes from a place of love, loyalty, and lifelong connection. “

My Damien ʻOhana have always been the ones who stayed by my side,” shares Smith.

After college, a calling to serve led him to the Honolulu Police Department. Still, his passion for working with youth pulled him toward coaching. He began coaching volleyball at Maryknoll, always hoping that one day he would return to coach at Damien.

Even when that opportunity took time to unfold, he stayed engaged through the Damien Alumni Association, eventually serving as President. When he finally returned to campus as a coach —supported by Coach Teves and the athletics staff — it sparked a renewed appreciation for the school that helped shape his character.

“Stepping back on campus in that role made me fall in love all over again with the school that helped make me who I am.”

A Role Built on Connection & Community

As the new Community & Parent Relations Liaison, Smith hopes to strengthen ties between Damien and the wider island community. His goal is to help families, alumni, and partners feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the heart of our mission.

“I want our surrounding neighborhoods—and the entire island—to see and experience the amazing things happening here every day,” says Smith. Through partnerships, outreach, and engagement, he aims to bring people together to support our students and celebrate the legacy of Viriliter Age.

Visit Your Alma Mater: Join Us For a Campus Tour

There’s no better way to reconnect with the Damien ʻohana than by walking the halls that once shaped your own journey. As our new Community & Parent Relations Liaison, Dannan would love to personally welcome alumni back to campus for a guided tour filled with stories, updates, and a few nostalgic moments along the way.

Whether you graduated five years ago or fifty, this is your invitation to rediscover Damien — the new spaces, the familiar corners, and the community that continues to grow stronger each year.