Okinawa Living Weekly by MCCS Okinawa

April 21, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com

Moloko88/bigstock.com, anna42f/bigstock.com

rink ‌ up the golden beaches, fizzing oceans, vibrant nightlife, eclectic shops and enchanting global icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in a city hugged by rugged terrain and a no-worries attitude. Eternally sun-kissed and salt-drenched, this is Sydney, Australia. This June, explore all the city has to offer with the MCCS Tours+ week-long trip from June 27 to July 5. The flexible itinerary includes planned cultural attractions you won’t want to miss as well as plenty of free time. These are just a few of the options available on your trek down under. Magistic Cruise Dine aboard the Magistic Cruise Ship while sailing through the sparkling harbour waters. This cruise sweeps across stunning icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Fort Denison, Luna Park and Sydney’s million-dollar waterfront mansions. From the extensive outdoor decks, take in the views from a different perspective.

inside

Featherdale Wildlife Park New mates! Better than just a tired koala posing for a picture, Featherdale boasts over 300 species, many of which are free-roaming. You can hand-feed willing wallabies, koalas, kangaroos and more at this awardwinning zoo. Worried about animal cruelty? This zoo is known for excellent animal care, and when the animals are tired of human interaction, they retreat to their no-humansallowed refuge. The Blue Mountains Right outside of pulsating Sydney are the Blue Mountains. Doused in the oil of eucalyptus trees, the Blue Mountains are so named because that oil is released into the atmosphere and then scatters the sun’s rays— coating the mountains in a pale blue color. Harbour Bridge As one of the most recognizable landmarks in Sydney, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an incredible display of engineering. It spans from The Rocks (the city’s historic district) to

Kinser Open Triathlon | 3 Victim Advocate Helpline | 3 Is Japanese Denim Better? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5

"...sun-kissed and salt-drenched, this is Sydney, Australia." North Sydney—the first fast-paced connection that led to an economic boom. You’ll never forget the first time you see the Opera House’s sails pierce a sunset or the dazzling way the Bridge lights up against the night sky. This is a trip you won’t want to miss while living on this side of the world. For more information or to reserve your spot on the June tour, call 646-3502 or visit mccsokinawa.com/tours.

Pick of the Week: Posillipo | 7 Hard Park at The Palms | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11

—Caylee Reid

2 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

3 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

livingatlarge

Kinser Open Triathlon

e should start by saying: this is not a “fun run.” This is a grueling, make-your-heartpound, nails-for-breakfast challenge. If you think your mind and body can handle the grind, sign up for the Camp Kinser Open Triathlon. Condition your body to make the transitions from running to biking to swimming so smoothly that they rival the Greek gods. A modified sprint triathlon, the Kinser Triathlon consists of a 5K run, a 15K bike ride and finishes with a 400M swim. This event will be held at the Camp Kinser Fitness Center on May 22. Participants must register by 1 p.m. on May 16 at any MCCS fitness center for $30. This event is open to participants island-wide. A mandatory participants’ brief will be held the day of the event at 7:45 a.m. at the Kinser Pool. There will be a Mountain Bike and Road Bike division for this event.

Chief Marketing Officer | Jim Kassebaum Managing Editor | Caylee Reid Art Director | Catherine Newquist Cultural Research Specialist | Ayako Kawamitsu Graphic Arts Manager | Henry Ortega Graphic Designers | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Kelli Davis, Hector Nieves Editor-in-Chief | Mike Daley Editor | Ryan Anastoplus Photographer | Thomas Alan Smilie Ad/Sponsorship Manager | Roy Forster Ad Sales | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Carina Fils-Julien, Lisa Hicks Distribution | Gideon Juko, Kelli Kreider Marketing Accounts Manager | Andrew Menges Accounts & Research | Jennifer Dowd, Marissa DeSmet, Katherine Melrose, Jenessa Reutov Broadcast | Victor Mercado, Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer Career practicum intern | Skylor Stevens

Awards will be given to first-, second and third-place finishers in each age group, as well as an overall male and female winner in both the Mountain Bike and Road Bike

division. All participants will receive a t-shirt. For more information, contact the Kinser Fitness Center at 637-1869. Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

events&happenings

Clockwise from left: Thomas Alan Smilie, worldofvectorl/bigstock.com

Victim Advocate Helpline

ictim advocates (VAs) are professionals that provide support, information and guidance to survivors of domestic abuse and non-offending parents of child abuse. Examples of child abuse are physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. A victim advocate intervenes in response to reported incidents of domestic abuse and child abuse in the following ways: • Assists in selecting reporting options (i.e., restricted or nonrestricted) • Provides crisis intervention and referrals to military and civilian resources • Helps with ongoing safety planning and precautions • Provides assistance in acquiring a military and/or civilian protection order • Accompanies victim during medical exam, court and other pertinent appointments and acts as an informed and sup-

portive companion during the delivery of services • Offers emotional support and empowerment Victim advocates also educate the community about coping mechanisms used by survivors, the dynamics of violence, the impact of trauma and the context in which violence occurs. They play a central role in a coordinated commu-

nity response to domestic abuse by developing working relationships with legal and medical personnel, commanders and local area domestic violence centers. Victim advocates actively help survivors obtain what they need within the USMC and civilian sectors. They also provide information on available benefits and assistance with applying for Transitional Compensation when the sponsor is the offender and is separated for a dependent-abuse offense. Victim advocates are available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. They are standing by now to support you in your time of need. If you need help or have domestic abuse questions, please call the Victim Advocate Helpline: 645-SAFE (7233) from on base or 098-970-SAFE (7233) from off base or your mobile phone. —Information Courtesy of Behavioral Health Family Advocacy Program

To advertise in Okinawa LivingWeekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.

This publication printed with

4 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

5 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

japanese phrase

whyisthat?

of the week

Nihon sei. Made in Japan. For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.

Is Japanese Denim Better?

enim is the most American a fabric can get. But Japanese denim is some of the most artisanal—and pricey—with a pair of Japanese selvage jeans going from $200 for a pair of Nudies to $2,000 for handmade Momotaro Jeans that take up to a year to produce. Despite its short history (the first pair of Japanese denim was made in 1973) Japan quickly made a name for itself in the denim world, with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci being early investors in the fabric. A company called Toyoda first introduced more efficient looms to Japan in the 1960s. Toyoda changed their name to Toyota and went in a different direction, but Japan still uses those machines today. The old shuttle looms are descendants of looms from the 1920s and only produce denim in limited amounts. Mass-produced jeans created on factory looms gen-

erate a uniform and precise fabric every time. Japanese selvage is created on looms that produce rougher denim with imperfections that lend character to the jean—no two pairs are alike. Another unique trait of Japanese denim is their color. Japan’s rich history of textile dyeing translates into their denim. Each brand has a unique hue of indigo, and their dyeing process is a guarded secret. One method is called hank dyeing. During the hank dye-

ing process, yarns are hand-dyed by a single artisan with a natural indigo dye that takes up to a year to create. This process is only performed at Tokushima Prefecture and the process has been handed down from master to apprentice for hundreds of years. Whether or not a pair of Japanese denim jeans is better than some 501s is purely subjective. But creating Japanese denim is certainly a much more unique and individualized process. —Ryan Anastoplus

Clockwise from the top left: lyricsaima/bigstock.com, zia_shusha/bigstock.com

If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

6 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

7 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

getting there

Posollipo

Coordinates: 26.178580, 127.641565 Hours: 11 a.m.—11 p.m. Payment: ¥, Credit Card posillipo-cucina.jp

pickoftheweek

aples, Italy: you’re wooed by a mysterious Italian suitor, the caprese special. The classic appetizer of mozzarella, tomato and basil with a drizzle of olive oil serves only to rouse the appetite, with flavors you can feel in your breast. As a hunk of imported cheese nuzzles with a fresh-peeled tomato, you’re romanced into the quiet arms of a European fling. Welcome to Posillipo, one of the best Italian restaurants south of Naha. And you float away from a simple restaurant and into the velvety bust of your southern Italian dream, into a fiery pit of stone along a doughy oblong shape—the shore of Salsiccia e Friarielli—its rich topography of gooey mozzarella valleys, crests of aromatic sausage and patches of flagrant oregano and friarielli leaves. Scores of lemon jut into the land that creates a piquant and lively finish of zest. You don’t know if you’re falling in love, but you know that this some-

Posillipo

thing you won’t forget. You’ve left a part of your soul here forever. You grow comfortable in the burrows of Posillipo and you ache for more. Under the rosehip sky you grip your Italian lover close as a beef ribeye with balsamic sauce slips through your lips. Bold and gritty on the outside, tender and doting inside, the balsamic sauce creates sweet melodies

Clockwise from left: woyzzeck/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie

photooftheweek

At Ryukyu Mura, a water buffalo helps grind down sugarcane that will then be used to make the famous Okinawan brown sugar.

with the earthy timbre of the beef. You know this will haunt you forever. Future excursions can only be tedious in comparison. Any attempt will only serve to take you back to that night you waltzed to the hymm of balsamic and olive oil upon the moonlight on a tender and balmy Italian night. —Ryan Anastoplus

8 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

9 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

more details

spotlight

May 7, 5–9 p.m.

Clockwise from the left: Mike Daley

For details or to register, please call 623-4375 or visit mccsokinawa.com/thepalms.

Hard Park Palooza at The Palms

f you love cars or have an automobile to show off, then there’s only one place for you to be on May 7— Hard Park Palooza. It’s a combined car show and block party at The Palms parking lot on Camp Hansen. Hard Park will give you the opportunity to admire some amazing cars and the effort that their owners have put into them. When customizing a car, people focus their efforts in a variety of areas. Some people concentrate on what’s under the hood, adding performance chips, fuel injectors, performance exhausts or a cold air intake. Some people alter the dashboard, adding additional gauges for oil pressure, battery performance, voltmeters or ammeters. Other people, with a penchant for visual perfection, may spend their time and money working on aesthetics, altering their car with a spoiler, low-profile tires, a booming stereo

system, a flashy paint job, lighting, window tinting, a lowered or lifted frame or rims. All that work surely deserves to be rewarded. Hard Park will be awarding prizes for “Best in Show,” “Best Interior” and “Best Engine.”

Those who do not wish to enter in the show can simply “hard park” and mingle among the other car enthusiasts. There will also be a live band, DJ and adult games like the everpopular tricycle races.

10 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

11 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | April 21, 2016

tours+

adventure begins here Lily Festival at Ie Island April 23 & 24, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $44, Children (6–11) $32, (3–5) $11 (under 3) FREE Get away to Ie Island, and enjoy the spectacular view of over one million lilies. Lily Field Park will host an assortment of fun with a variety of shows and food booths. Not only will we see the lilies but also the popular Mt. Gusuku and the Wajee water springs. Forest Adventure Park April 24, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $49, Children (7–17) $34 Zip through the Okinawan woodlands. Test your courage on the Zip Slide ride, the Amazon Rope Bridge, the Tibetan Bridge or any of the other exciting courses.

Battle Sites Tour April 30, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28, Children (3-11) $18 (under 3) FREE Visit Kakazu Ridge and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Prayer Park. Shrines & Gardens Tour April 30, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $20, Children (3–11) $13 (under 3) FREE Explore Shikina-en, the royal summer home and garden for the Okinawan kings. Then take a lunch and shopping break on Kokusai Street. After you are rested and refueled, we will travel to Fukushen and Futenma Shrine.

*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744

off-baseevents get out and explore

Ie Island Lily Festival April 23–May, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Lily Field Park, Ie Island FREE

Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports

Athletics/Adult Sports

Clockwise from left: hdmphoto/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie

645-3521/3522

Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534

Okinawa Vegan Festival April 23, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Kadena Kaihin Park, Kadena Town FREE

Hija River Carp Streamers (Koinobori) Festival April 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Hijya River, Kadena Town FREE

upcoming semperfitevents Open 6 vs. 6 Soccer Tournament May 14–15 Camp Schwab Athletics Softball Field #2 Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on May 9 for $90. The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place teams. Details: 625-2654.

Open Basketball Tournament May 20–22 MCAS Futenma Fitness Center Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on May 16 for $95. The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place individuals and teams. Details: 636-2672.

classof theweek HITT Training The High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) program's primary purpose is to enhance operational fitness levels and optimize combat readiness and resiliency for the Marines. Camps Courtney, Hansen, Kinser, Schwab and MCAS Futenma For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.