Page 10 - MidWeek Honolulu - June 7, 2023

10 JUNE 7, 2023
Novel Explores Meth Epidemic
BY STEPHANIE LOPES
and raw — recollections from Quinn’s childhood, along with accounts from “uncles of old friends,” he says.
relative or friend who got caught up in this now al- most-forgotten time in our recent history.”
Hawai‘i is known for its sunny beaches and laid-back lifestyle, but Honolulu actor/ author Jason Quinn expe- rienced a darker side while growing up on O‘ahu.
“Underneath, it is a meditative study of human behavior, the nuances of cultural identity and the effects of trauma and abuse on children in a callous so- ciety,” Quinn states, adding that he also felt compelled to write the novel for his now 15-year-old son.
Quinn, who also released two hip-hop albums with group The Apostles and had one of his songs fea- tured in video game Scar- face: The World is Yours, gets to showcase the mu- sical side of himself in the audiobook version of Con- crete Rainbow. In addition to his narration, it features musical performances by Grammy-nominated singer Yoza Allen and renowned local artists Maili Holck and Gavin Vinta.
Although he left the island for a time and found his way into the entertainment in- dustry — he studied at The American Musical and Dra- matic Academy in New York City and appeared in CSI: Miami, Magnum P.I., Ha- wai‘i Five-0, NCIS: Hawai‘i and Marvel Studios’ Inhu- mans — he couldn’t ignore the voices from his past.
Jason Quinn
They became the founda- tion of his novel Concrete Rainbow, which shines a light on the crystal meth ep-
At the center of the sto- ry is Byron, an angry bira- cial 15-year-old poet, and Kimo, a Native Hawaiian felon who is part crime boss, part philosopher.
Concrete Rainbow can be purchased online any- where books are sold, in- cluding Amazon.
Chase Kawakami took first place in the 14-year-old and up division of the MLB Junior Home Run Derby organized by nonprofit Mālama Kipuka at Cartwright Neighborhood Park in Honolulu earlier this year. Kawakami hit 39 home runs to advance to the regional Home Run Derby competition to be held in Southern California later this month. PHOTO COURTESY MĀLAMA KIPUKA
idemic that gripped the state in the early 1990s.
Local readers have ap- preciated the accuracy of places portrayed — down to the bushes — and some have told Quinn they at- tained “a sense of under- standing, closure and even the beginnings of forgive- ness for an unfortunate
While the story is fiction, it is based on the real —
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