May 26, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
TCCOR 5:
Destructive winds are possible within 96 hours. (Only used outside of established typhoon season.) Stock up on food, water, and emergency supplies.
TCCOR 4:
Destructive winds are possible within 72 hours. Stock up on food, water, and emergency supplies.
TCCOR 3: Destructive winds are possible within 48 hours. Residents should initiate general cleanup around homes and facilities, obtaining appropriate food and water supplies, checking emergency kits, and filling vehicles with fuel. TCCOR 2: Destructive winds anticipated within 24 hours. Remove or secure all outside items around homes and facilities.
TCCOR 1: Destructive winds anticipated within 12
hours. No school for DoDDS students. Fill containers and bathtubs for emergency water use. Make a final check of food and emergency supplies. If you live in low lying quarters, make arrangements to stay with a friend.
TCCOR 1 Caution: Winds of 35–49 knots sustained
are occurring. All non-emergency essential personnel will be released to quarters and will remain indoors. Movement throughout base should be kept to a minimum.
TCCOR 1 Emergency: Winds of 50 knots (58
mph) sustained or gust factors of 60 knots or greater are occurring. All personnel will stay indoors away from windows. Outdoor movement will be restricted to lifesaving response actions.
Javier Brosch/bigstock.com
I
TCCOR 1 Recovery: After the passage of a tropical
t’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s your neighbor’s entire yard gnome collection! No, it’s all of those things because it’s officially typhoon season! Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu Archipegalo, which is located in the subtropical region south of mainland Japan. Typical average temperatures on the island hover around 81°F from May until mid-September and around 60°F in the winter. While these temperatures can be considered quite comfortable, the hot, humid summers can spawn intense storms called typhoons. Okinawa is equipped with a sophisticated tracking system that warns island residents well in advance of an approaching storm. Typhoon tips and precautions are broadcast over AFN TV and radio, and current updates can also be found at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (usno.navy.mil/JTWC) and at Kadena Weather (shogunweather.com). Known as hurricanes
inside
in the United States, these powerful weather systems occur when the warm weather of the southern Pacific Ocean (between the Philippines and Guam) combines with cooler air from higher latitudes. Usually, a typhoon will start near Guam and sweep northwest toward Okinawa and mainland Japan. When a typhoon is approaching, it’s important to pay attention to the current Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR). During all of Typhoon Season (June 1 to November 30), Okinawa remains in TCCOR 4: destructive winds of 50 knots (58 mph) or greater are possible within 72 hours. You should always have on hand an adequate supply of non-perishable food, drinking water and typhoon supplies. And, when the weather is tumultuous, do not head near the ocean for seaside selfies, as colossal waves can suddenly crash over even the tallest barriers.
Doughnuts With Dad | 3 House of Laughs | 3 Why Typhoon and Not Hurricane? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
cyclone, when destructive winds have subsided and are no longer forecasted to occur, survey and work crews are sent out to determine the extent of the damage and to establish safe zones around. All non-emergency essential personnel will remain indoors while damage assessment and cleanup is accomplished.
TCCOR Storm Watch: Hazardous conditions may
still exist due to storm damage. Stay alert. All military and civilian personnel must return to work within two hours or at normal duty hours.
TCCOR All Clear: The storm is over and not
forecast to return, and recovery efforts are considered complete by the Installation Commander. Resume normal activities.
We’ve created this issue as a kick start guide to your typhoon season—it’s all but waterproof. For more of our typhoon tips, check out pages 5 and 7 where we’ve generated a typhoon playlist, explained why it’s called a typhoon and not a hurricane, covered your typhoon must-haves and provided a few ideas for what to do with those non-perishables.
Pick of the Week: Spam-tastic Typhoons | 7 Yanbaru Kayaking Trip | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
TCCOR has been edited for length. For the comprehensive list, visit shogunweather.com/tccor. Courtesy of Kadena AB, 18th Wing Weather Flight
Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR)
2 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
3 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
livingatlarge
H
Doughnuts with Dad
omer Simpson, one of the most renowned fathers in history, is known for his love of doughnuts. Did doughnuts make him a great father, or did he make doughnuts great? Likely the latter, but nonetheless, if there was ever a food synonymous with fatherhood, it’s those frosted doughy rings of paternal authority. That’s why if there was ever an event more fitting for dads, it’s this one—Doughnuts with Dad—at Camps Kinser, Foster and Courtney libraries. Join us on June 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. to enjoy stories, songs and poems highlighting the relationship between fathers, children and their families. In addition, there will be an opportunity to design your own mug to take home. Doughnuts and drinks will be offered to all who participate. This program is geared for children ages 3 to 10, but all ages are welcome to attend. Father’s Day means more than
giving gifts or cards to that special man in your life. It is about showing him that you appreciate everything he has done for you. Sometimes a baker’s dozen of doughnuts is the perfect way to express that feeling.
Don’t just say Happy Father’s Day, spend some time together and enjoy Doughnuts with Dad. For more information, call your nearest participating MCCS library, or visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries.
events&happenings
Top: nimai/bigstock.com, bottom: Image courtesy of Talent
J
House of Laughs
ust in time to cheer up those with the rainy season blues, MCCS House of Laughs has come to town. The four shows will feature three comics spreading their brand of comedy from June 30 to July 3 to camps across Okinawa. South Carolina native Viet Huynh is known for his observational and nerd humor and offers a unique and hilarious perspective on growing up as an Asian in the South. Jeff Scheen’s off-beat humor has made him a staple at the Chicago Laugh Factory and a finalist at the 2015 Laughing Skull Fest. Bill Santiago appears on CNN with Randi Kaye every Saturday morning with Santiago’s Weekly Pop Wrapup delivering material reminiscent of Jerry Seinfeld and George Carlin. He gained international fame after his first special, “Comedy Central Presents: Bill Santiago.” The performances will take place on June 30 at the Bayview on Camp
Courtney, July 1 at the Surfside on Camp Kinser, July 2 at The Palms on Camp Hansen and July 3 at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. House of Laughs is a free event open to all DoD ID card holders and authorized guests ages 18
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Caylee Reid ART DIRECTOR | Hector Nieves 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, Ashley Herring, Katherine Melrose, Jenessa Reutov BROADCAST | Victor Mercado, Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer CAREER PRACTICUM INTERN | Skylor Stevens
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 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.
and older. The shows may contain explicit, adult-oriented language. All shows start at 9 p.m. For more information, call MCCS Entertainment at 645-5821 or visit mccsokinawa.com/entertainment. This publication printed with
4 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
5 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
japanese phrase
whyisthat?
of the week
S
Kaze ga tsuyoi desune. It's windy.
Clockwise from the top left: Anastasia_vish/bigstock.com, Liang Zhang/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Why Typhoon and Not Hurricane?
urprise! There is no real difference between a hurricane, a cyclone and a typhoon other than location. It’s a lot like the word pop or soda (or coke, you crazy Southerners) in the United States. So a typhoon by any other name is happening somewhere else. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, when this type of storm occurs in the Atlantic or Northeast Pacific, they are called “hurricanes.” The same phenomenon occurring in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean is called a “cyclone.” And in the Northwest Pacific, including places like Okinawa, the storms are called “typhoons.” All three are just different names for an intense low-pressure system. However, there is a difference between a tropical cyclone and a cyclone. When a system of clouds and
thunderstorms are rotating, beginning over tropical or subtropical waters and has low-level circulation, it is called a tropical cyclone. Once sustained winds have reached 74 mph or higher, then the tropical cyclone is officially branded a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone. There are also different categories for hurricanes. Categories 3 through 5 are classified as major hurricanes with winds between 111 to 157 mph
or more. A super typhoon is the equivalent of a very strong category 4 or a category 5 hurricane. Typhoons are more common than hurricanes or cyclones because of the Northwest Pacific’s great expanse of warm tropical waters in which the storms brew. But this also means more countries in the region (especially Okinawa/Japan) are prepared for the inevitable.
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
7 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
typhoon tracks
pickoftheweek
Y
• “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions • “Umbrella” by Rihanna • “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” by Ella Fitzgerald • “It’s the End of the World as We Know it” by R.E.M. • “Candle In The Wind” by Elton John • “Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly • “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival • “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler • “Purple Rain” by Prince • “Who Loves the Sun” by The Velvet Underground • “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
Spam-tastic Typhoons
ou’re in the second day of the typhoon and on game 50 of 52 pickup—and there is still no end in sight. You’re all about to pull each other’s hair out from boredom. Even the cat looks bored. Break through the boredom with a little creativity: host a mini hurricane cook-off with some of your non-perishables. To spark your inspiration, here are a couple recipes (using that term loosely) that incorporate everyone’s favorite canned ham, Spam. Appetizer: Spam Musubi Mold your white rice into a shapely oblong, slather on some soy sauce and then slap a slab of spam on that bad boy. Wrap it up with a strip of dried seaweed. Viola! Pat yourself on the back for creating an international dish of such high caliber. Main Course Options: Move over Hungry Helper, add a few cubes of spam tossed in Easy Mac with a dash of salt and pepper. Or in your spaghetti, or ramen, the
possibilities are limitless. Dessert: Spam S’mores Yes, you read that right. Originally suggested by King’s Hawaiian, our version is far less complicated. Simply snuggle a salty slice of Spam between the graham cracker and chocolate after you’ve made the s’more. It’s perfect for
those that love the sweet and the salty—like M&Ms in popcorn. ‘Tis the season to try new foods! Add candles for some ambience. Put on our playlist (maybe start halfway through for dinner as it starts with a bang). And enjoy your creations. The sun will shine again.
Clockwise from left: ardni/bigstock.com, chiociolla/bigstock.com, Images_By_Kenny/bigstock.com
typhoonmusthaves • Four-day supply of food and water • Bottled water, canned foods and other non-perishables • Hammer, nails and wood for quick repairs • Blankets, tarps, plastic, heavy cardboard and water-proof tape to cover broken windows • Mops and towels to absorb leaks • Flashlights with extra batteries, candles, matches and a waterproof lighter • Battery-operated portable radio with extra batteries • Ample supply of food for pets • Charcoal during extended power outages; barbecuing the contents of the freezer may become necessary • First-aid kit
8 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
9 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
more details
Clockwise from left: Vitalalp/bigstock.com, Mike Daley
We recommend bringing a change of clothes, a towel, suntan lotion, sandals, a hat and a packed lunch with many drinks. Unfortunately, no children under the age of 6 or pregnant woman are permitted.
spotlight
Yanbaru Kayaking Trip
I
n between typhoons, one of the best ways to experience Okinawa is in the water. Kayaking brings you close to nature and lets you explore areas of the island that are otherwise inaccessible. It’s also a great way to get your muscles moving and disguise exercise as something fun. Okinawa offers opportunities for both ocean kayaking and river kayaking. Inlets and coves are gen-
erally good spots for ocean kayaking where the waters are often calm. Further north, you’ll find ideal conditions for river kayaking. The lush jungle area of Yanbaru offers mangrove-lined rivers. One of the largest mangrove forests is at the mouth of the Gesashi River in Higashi Village. The area is considered to be one of the most diverse natural environments on island and
a great spot to take in the sights from your kayak. If you’re new to kayaking, MCCS Tours+ can get you started with a guided trip through the mangroves in Yanbaru. The day-long trip will be on May 28 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Adults are $55 and children (6 to 12) are $33. For details on this and other tours, visit Tours+ online at mccsokinawa.com/tours.
10 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
11 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | May 26, 2016
tours+
adventure begins here Yanbaru Kayaking May 28, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Adults $55, Children (6–12) $33 Get your muscles moving while kayaking between the roots of mangrove trees for approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Kerama Snorkeling May 29, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $73, Children (4–11) $41 Grab your fins and get ready for some fun! Tour includes a boat ride to two snorkeling spots in the breathtaking Kerama Islands.
Ocean Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium May 28, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $37, Children (16–17) $32 (12–15) $26, (6–11) $22, (under 6) FREE Head to Expo Park and visit Churaumi Aquarium, watch a free dolphin show and visit an Okinawan Village or relax on Emerald Beach.
Ocean Park & Lunch at Manza Beach Hotel May 29, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $58; Children (3–12) $39 (under 3) FREE Spend the day relaxing at the upscale ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort. Grab a drink at the bar and soak up the day on the stunning beach.
*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
Issai Gassai (Handcrafted) Festival May 28–29, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. AEON Chatan, Chatan Town FREE
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
Thomas Alan Smilie, luanateutzi/bigstock.com
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
Kadena Professional Wrestling Festival May 29, 1 p.m. Navel Kadena, Kadena Town Tickets: ¥3,500
Night Insect Observation Tour May 29–May 30, 6:30–9 p.m. By reservation only, call 098-965-3400
upcoming semperfitevents Open Doubles Tennis Tournament June 3–5 Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on May 30 for $10 per team or at Gunners on June 3 for $15. The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to top three teams. Details: 645-3003/4866.
Open Basketball Tournament June 18–20 Camp Courtney Ironworks Fitness Center Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on June 13 for $100 per team. The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to top three individuals and teams. Details: 622-7297.
classof theweek HITT Training® Active dynamic warm-up, strength, power, speed and agility, flexibility and core stability are the major components of HITT training. You will work on all of them in each class. All camps except Foster For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.