Page 2 - MidWeek - Nov 2, 2022

2 MIDWEEK NOVEMBER 2, 2022
Has Broom, Will Travel
“Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” — Samuel Ullman
TAs Years Go By
You could call our family member who turned 80 on Hal- loween Eve an “Octoberge- narian,” though you’d have to move quickly to give her birthday wishes. Maybe you could text her on her way to work or reach her in an airport lounge boarding a flight to a distant land.
his article marks the beginning of my fourth year writing for MidWeek. Adding 19-plus years of writ- ing/airing twice-weekly “Think About It” editorial
Some days as I walk my workout route, she drives by on the way to an errand, honk- ing her horn with a wave and a smile. Her greeting speaks volumes, as in “Happy to see you again, still out on the road.” Few of us can keep pace unless, perhaps, we let ourselves be brushed by her enthusiasm as she sweeps by — just like that tree in her yard. It’s 25 feet high now and sprouting coconuts by the day, with no signs of quitting any- time soon.
John Simonds, a retired former daily newspaper edi- tor, has lived with his family in ‘Āina Haina for 46 years.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
pieces on KHNL and KFVE, I figure I’ve now offered up about 2,136 presentations to get you to, well, at least think about it. Some might suggest that it figures that my first article in MidWeek coincided with Halloween — what a horror. Of course, they’re probably not reading these bits any more, are they?
I keep channeling her whacking her backyard O‘ahu coconut tree with a broom. Lore from native roots has taught her this makes coco palms more productive. “Re- generation” we might call it, but for her it’s a way to spur nature.
from Europe to the Pacific Islands. With eased travel re- strictions, she’s back in the air — for East Coast meetings, a stop in the Southwest to help a family member, cell phoning West Coast grandkids, linking with family and friends on O‘ahu and Maui, racing home to pack for a meeting in Asia.
The broom aptly symbolizes this woman of Halloween birth.
with John Simonds
There are weeks when I’ve thought, “Now what?” Writing editorials is a joy, except when it’s not. For better, for worse, in sickness and in health, oh wait, those are wedding vows. Concocting weekly stories to entertain, educate, enthrall or infuriate people requires work, but like marriage (or at least a good one) it’s hopefully worth it in the end.
The author’s relative whacks her backyard O‘ahu coconut tree with a broom to make it more productive. PHOTO COURTESY JOHN SIMONDS
mottos clash like sparks in a Halloween night: “We could all be gone tomorrow” and “I’m planning to live forever.” Like opposing battery posts, they seem to power her roving scope on life’s big and little matters.
Trying to write something weekly that is possibly unique, interesting, funny, touching, enlightening or intelligent during the lengthy COVID quarantine was a challenge, to say the least. I purposely avoided writing yet one more in- sipid COVID commentary for many months — to spare both you and me.
The broom aptly symbol- izes this woman of Hallow- een birth, but the witches and black cats her office colleagues may put on her cake are no match for their
She projects at work, pep talks her family into getting stuff done, guides reunions and holiday parties, always eager to use a busy broom on her home.
Writing (or broadcasting) editorials has allowed me to more clearly focus on what’s around us in a broad sense, perhaps trying to cast a larger philosophical net over local realities and quirks, suggesting things that might encourage you to reflect, laugh or even take positive action.
high-flying boss on the move. She worked in her office most pandemic days, joining online sessions, often in time zones
“When I retire, I’m going to fix this place,” she prom- ises, but the due date on that keeps shifting. Two of her
I found a new fruit — chico (sapodilla) — which I happily savor when it’s in season. I’ve learned to truly celebrate basic things we take for granted, like one’s health or purpose in the universe, or even having a place to go to and from (home and work) every day and night. I’ve come to appreciate more deeply my incredible wife and the awesome healing power of music, as well as the value of communities coming togeth- er during crises, which I witness firsthand daily through my co-workers at Aloha United Way and other amazing com- munity-based partner agencies.
KELLEY
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
I’ve been commenting now (officially) for 22 years, artic- ulating or bloviating (your call) on local issues that too often get kicked down the road without resolution: the deteriorat- ing Natatorium and Ko‘olau Stairway to Heaven, reasonably priced housing, vibrant economic options beyond tourism, the homeless conundrum, rapid transit, TMT, sovereign- ty, North Shore parking and erosion, a secondary leeward highway conduit, the list goes on, and so will these weekly pieces. Thanks for reading.
Think about it.
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com