Page 2 - MidWeek - January 25, 2023

2 MIDWEEK JANUARY 25, 2023
From Cobbled-together Hearts
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. — Plato
DMixed Plate
Aradio news report shattered my peace- ful evening drive down the New Jersey Turnpike on Dec. 26, 2004. An under- sea earthquake near the Indo- nesian island of Sumatra had unleashed a tsunami, killing tens of thousands. Ports, roads, entire villages were erased. Such unthinkable devastation and suffering defied rational explanation.
ecisions, decisions. As the lettered/numeric license plate sequences run out next year, Hawai‘i will change its license plate design — or will it? Accord-
Their suffering didn’t have to be the end of the story. From the “vast holes in their fam- ilies and cobbled-together hearts” (Barry’s description), had come hope, new friends and a music of empathy and understanding.
Composer and educator Jon Magnussen holds degrees from The Juilliard School, the Paris Conservatory, and Cornell University; was art- ist-in-residence at the Insti- tute for Advanced Study in Princeton (2000–2007); and currently leads the music pro- gram in the Humanities Divi- sion at University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr.
ing to a recent Q&A in Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Kōkua Line,” the previous plates (featuring King Kamehameha) last- ed nine years (1981-90), while our current rainbow-themed license plates will have been around for 32 years by the time they’re (possibly) retired in 2024.
The following November, I was riveted by an account of six of the survivors. Barry Bearak’s New York Times Magazine cover story “The Day the Sea Came” brought them to life. Dr. Sri, an emergency room doctor, lost her best friend. Jaloe, a fisherman out at sea when the quake hit, found his 14-year- old daughter in the aftermath, but his wife remained missing. Maisara, a housewife, never did find her husband or their
Jon, Kim, Lindsay, Midori and Barry prepare for the January 2017 Hawai’i premiere of TWINGE at University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu’s Campbell Library. PHOTO COURTESY JON MAGNUSSEN
If a new design is forthcoming, it will first require state, county, law enforcement and general public input. For now, here are some possibilities:
twinge for the earth — a slight shift of a tectonic plate — dev- astated the landscape and hu- man lives. But that was not the end of the story.
few years, the trio would per- form the piece across the con- tinent, record a CD and even organize a conference around the project.
• The humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a is widely revered by school kids and others as our state fish. If we spelled it out, it could wrap around car/truck bumpers, giving us an exclusive license plate concept.
• How about the (construction) crane? Many consider that our state bird, since it’s invasive tendencies can occasionally be seen far and wide (see Kaka‘ako).
When the music group Haven Trio asked me to com- pose a piece for them in 2014, I reached out to Barry Bearak, and he generously helped me obtain permission to use his words and compose TWINGE — 15 songs for soprano, piano and clarinet, retelling the sur- vivors’ stories. Over the next
In 2020, Barry introduced us to Linda Bong, his trans- lator. To our amazement, Linda connected us with the survivors Romi, Haikal, Dr. Sri and Maisara. Touched by our musical retelling of their stories, they shared news of their present lives and even invited us to visit their homes.
• Diamond Head. The volcanic cone is well known, so maybe something more subtle and parochial for locals — like the Ko‘olau Stairway to Heaven? Whereas cars represent going somewhere, this illegal staircase represents an issue that annually goes nowhere — an intriguing and cerebral juxtaposition perhaps?
three girls. Nor did Haikal the activist, Faridah the shopkeeper or Romi the delivery man ever find their loved ones. A mere
• A monk seal would be cute and appropriate — we know the rules about not getting too close, just like we’re supposed to be doing through our own safe driving habits.
KELLEY
• The mongoose, unique to Hawai‘i (in the U.S.) is a diurnal animal brought here 140 years ago to handle the plantation rat population. But rats are nocturnal, partying all night, while mongooses sleep. Poor planning, indeed. A story with a moral told via license plates could be heartwarming, just like mon- gooses and rats — oh, never mind.
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
with Jon Magnussen
• And the nēnē? Before you say no no, consider that after a half-million years here, this gregarious goose should be given some serious consideration. Honk if you agree.
• Maybe a surfboard design? After all, surfboards and cars both experience unwanted dings.
• A mai tai motif seems inappropriate, what with that whole drinking and driving thing.
• An ‘ukulele? That’s a thought, knowing how much music means locally.
• Poke or shave ice conjure up positive thoughts unique to Hawai‘i, but good luck on a readable design.
So many options sure to be debated. Ultimately, this deci- sion will be a mixed plate. Think about it.
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com