Marvin John Corre: A Quiet Portrait of Solitidunal Simplicity
by Anthony Kaauamo with photos by Sharmaine Mae Elan
Throughout the next five issues of Lāna‘i Today, we will spotlight seniors from the Class of 2025. First up is Marvin John Corre, a quiet yet thoughtful presence at Lāna‘i High & Elementary School (LHES).
Marvin sits still, his gaze slightly averted, his expression neutral. There’s nothing in his demeanor that immediately demands attention, but if you look closer, the simplicity of his outward appearance — modest, understated clothing, a clean mustache — hints at something deeper. “I don’t really talk to people a lot,” Marvin says. “I just like to stay on my computer, watching videos, listening to music or playing games.”
The son of Mayo and Mariza Corre, 17-year-old Marvin has been shaping his life with the same methodical care one might use in Minecraft, one of his favorite games. Piece by piece, he builds his world gradually and without drawing attention, just as a player starts with simple blocks and creates something more intricate over time. While Roblox, Minecraft, and GTA 5 are staples of his routine, Marvin’s world is broader, extending beyond gaming into music and film, which form essential parts of his daily rhythm.
Though Marvin does not openly express it, the influence of his older brother, Mark (LHES Class of 2011), is clear. “My brother introduced ‘OK Computer’ to me,” Marvin says, referring to Radiohead’s 1997 alternative rock album. Its experimental sound and themes of alienation have left a lasting impression on him. Marvin’s musical tastes span a wide range of genres and eras, from Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” (2020) to Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city” (2012), Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), and even “Kind of Blue” (1959) by jazz legend Miles Davis. His playlists reflect an appreciation for contrast and complexity, where introspective lyrics meet layered production.
Marvin’s love for film is similarly nuanced. His current top three favorites — Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” (1994), Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (1966), and John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982) — reveal his fascination with morally ambiguous characters and intricate storytelling. “I saw people guessing movies on YouTube,” he explains, “and that made me want to watch them.” That same curiosity drives him to break down films, studying them with an instinctive understanding of cinema’s deeper layers.
He tracks his film watching on the app Letterboxd, where he logs and reviews classics such as “Battleship Potemkin” (1925), “Metropolis” (1927), “Citizen Kane” (1941), “Jaws” (1975), and “Alien” (1979). “I saw a scene from ‘Battleship Potemkin’ and looked it up,” Marvin says. “People say it’s one of the greatest movies, so I wanted to see for myself.”
Marvin’s curiosities, however, started much earlier. “When Marvin was in second grade, he would spend hours studying maps of Maui,” his mother, Mariza, said. “When we’d go to Maui for shopping, I just wanted to know the names of the streets,” Marvin added, studying the routes to Costco, learning the names of streets, as if committing them to memory like scenes in a film. His fascination with details later expanded to the stars, and by middle school, he became interested in asteroids. “I used to look up asteroids, and there’s this one called Apophis,” Marvin said. “It’s supposed to come near Earth in 2029, and maybe again in 2036.” Bennu and the skull-shaped asteroid known as the “Death Comet” — officially named 2015 TB145 — also captured his attention. His curiosity stemmed from wondering what might happen if one of these asteroids ever struck Earth.
Though Marvin keeps to himself, his thoughtfulness shows in small gestures. He makes a point of greeting classmates when he sees them around town, even if their interactions do not go beyond a simple hello. It’s a kindness that speaks to Marvin’s character, introverted but considerate. That same silent fortitude has been with him since birth.
Born 14 weeks (about 3 months) premature, he spent the first 88 days of his life in an incubator. A hole in his heart required surgery, and a near-fatal morphine overdose further tested his strength. “It will take eight hours to pass through his system,” doctors had told his mother. It became a game of waiting to see if he would survive. Marvin’s resilience, formed from those early struggles, has shaped him into someone who moves through life with calm determination.
As he reflects on his 13 years at LHES, Marvin takes pride in his journey. “I feel proud of my accomplishments,” he says. His post-graduation plans are still unfolding. “Possibly Maui College,” he mentions, with an interest in dental hygiene — a field that suits his careful, detail-oriented nature. However, he’s also considering the possibility of entering the workforce directly, as he’s still weighing his options.
Though his post-graduation path is still uncertain, one thing is clear — Marvin will carry pieces of Lāna‘i with him. When asked about his favorite place on Lāna‘i, Marvin names Hulopo‘e Beach. “I like going in the water, trying to swim towards a wave before it gets bigger,” he says, recalling the joy of running in the sand.
In the end, Marvin John Corre’s life carries a quiet energy, like a coiled spring that never quite unspools, embodying an acceptance of solitude and the richness found in simplicity. He’s often alone, but not lonely. His clothes may be plain, but his interests are anything but. He speaks in short, measured sentences, yet there’s a depth to his thoughts that reveals itself to those who take the time to listen. Much like the Man with No Name in “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” Marvin moves through life with an unspoken resolve, staying in the background but always present, always observant. As he prepares to step into the next chapter of his life, he remains true to his nature — subtle, thoughtful and leaving plenty of room for interpretation.