Okinawa Spotlight by MCCS Okinawa

June 21, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com

Futenma Flight Line Fair

Your Guide to Okinawa

Photo courtesy of Daughtry

he hottest festival of the year is approaching! Join us on the MCAS Futenma flight line on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8 from 1 to 9 p.m. for the Futenma Flight Line Fair (FLF). The FLF will feature fun for both service members and families alike with FREE top-notch entertainment, game booths, amusement rides, Fun Land and delicious food from Bulldogs Burgers, Hickory House All-American BBQ, 305 Latin Bistro and more. A fireworks display will close out both evenings, while a car show will showcase the island’s hottest rides on Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. The lineup will include dance performances, clowns and jugglers. There will also be live music of different genres, like rock band The Reaping, variety group Soundgroove, alternative rock band Indian Greyhound and the headliner—Daughtry. Since rising to prominence on the fifth season of American Idol, Daughtry has released four albums,

inside

all of which reached the Billboard Top Ten. Daughtry’s self-titled debut was the best-selling album of 2007 and contained four top 20 hit singles, including the Grammy-nominated smash “It’s Not Over.” Leave This Town also reached number one in 2009, while 2011’s Break the Spell was certified gold. Daughtry’s most recent record, 2013’s Baptized, features the platinum-selling single “Waiting for Superman.” Daughtry will be performing on Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is FREE and open to all SOFA ID card holders and Japanese citizens. Please be prepared to show a photo ID at the gate. No one will be admitted with pets, bottles, outside alcohol or coolers. Please be responsible; don’t drink and drive. Both taxi and daiko services will be available. All patrons must park in the designated parking area and walk to the festival grounds. For more information, call 6455828 or visit mccsokinawa.com/festivals.

here’s a lot to learn about Okinawa for newcomers. Although it’s a welcoming and beautiful island, it can also be a bit intimidating to move here knowing very little about the language, culture, where to shop and what to buy. If only there was some sort of handbook that told you everything you needed to know. Some sort of manual that gave you all the information necessary to make the most of your time here. Oh…there is? Yup, it’s called the Okinawa Guide and it can serve as your how-to guide to Okinawa during your stay. (cont. on page 3)

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livingatlarge Your Guide to Okinawa (cont. from page 1)

The Okinawa Guide is an annual publication packed with comprehensive information on just about everything Okinawa, produced by the staff of Okinawa Living Magazine for newcomers and island veterans alike. The “Introduction” chapter covers the basics—checking in, hospital info, schools on base, the Navy Hospital, veterinary info and more. Japanese language, culture, holidays, festivals, eating etiquette, off-base grocery shopping and more are covered in the “Local Culture” chapter. Driving tips, what to do in event of an accident and info on local buses and taxis are covered in “Transportation.” The “MCCS” chapter goes over the vast amount of offerings available for service members and their families on Marine Corps camps. The “Island Guide” covers places to visit on

Okinawa—beaches, waterfalls, resorts, malls and more—conveniently broken down into north, central and south sections both on and off base. All this and much, much more is contained in the Okinawa Guide…

and the best thing? This guide is FREE! Pick up your copy today at an MCCS facility near you! For more about the Okinawa Guide, visit mccsokinawa. com/guide.

events&happenings

Roderica Mathis

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Amanda Carrasquillo ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Jongeun Spencer, Emeline Toole WRITERS/EDITORS | Ashley Sablan, Mike Daley DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER | Thomas Alan Smilie DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer, Emi Komiya, Shelbie Thilmony PHOTOGRAPHER | Roderica Mathis AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Yoriko Yamashiro, Hiromitsu Horikawa, Athena Garcia DISTRIBUTION | Desiree Adams MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Kristen Wong, Secoya Holmes, Ashley Snipes, Erin Hotson, Kim Guillermo

To advertise in Okinawa Spotlight, 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.

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Far East Bodybuilding

he most prestigious bodybuilding event in the Pacific is back—the Far East Bodybuilding Competition. On Sunday, August 5 at 4 p.m. in the Camp Foster Theater, the “Beasts of the East” will showcase their hard work, dedication and physiques. Guest posers Cedric McMillan (2017 Arnold Classic Winner) and Rosie Harte (2016 Olympia Rookie of the Year) will also take the stage. Those interested in competing must complete the $75 registration. Online registration is available until 1 p.m. on July 18. SOFAstatus personnel can also register at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center until 1 p.m. on July 18. For details on non-SOFA registration, contact Semper Fit Athletics at 645-3521 or (098) 970-3521. Spectator tickets can be purchased for $20 at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center from July 1 to July 31 or online from July 1 to August 4. Remaining tickets will also be available for purchase

on the day of the event on a firstcome, first served basis. This event is open to participants (18 years of age or older) islandwide. An award will be given to the top five finishers in each division: Women’s Figure, Women’s Physique,

Men’s Physique and Men’s Bodybuilding. First place finishers in each division will be eligible to win an overall award. For more information or to register, visit mccsokinawa. com/bodybuilding. This publication printed with

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japanese phrase of the week

islandadventure Ocean Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium

Kirei na sakana. The fish are beautiful.

Roderica Mathis

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

n Sunday, July 22, join Tours+ on a trip to the northern end of the island and spend your day at Okinawa Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit one of the grandest oceanic displays in all the world. Churami Aquarium is the largest in Japan and the third largest in the world, boasting four stories and over 77 tanks containing an impressive array of tropical fish, sharks, coral and other fascinating deep sea creatures, including giant mantas and colossal whale sharks. Tour goers can also enjoy a FREE dolphin show! After that, visit the Tropical Dream Center. This subtropical wonderland is an Instagrammer’s paradise filled with exotic flowers, fruit trees and more than 2,000 beautiful orchids. Also on the itinerary is a trip back in time

through a visit to the park’s Native Okinawan Village and Oceanic Culture Museum and Planetarium. Learn about the seafaring culture of Okinawa and gaze up at the 140 million stars twinkling over the Pacific. The entire tour will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices are listed at

$39 for adults, $34 for children 16– 17, $21 for children 6–15, $16 for children 3–5 and FREE for children under 3. Admission for both the park and aquarium is included in the tour price. Bring yen for lunch and additional expenses.

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didyou know?

pickoftheweek

Independence Day Summer Pool Bashes

I More than 150 million hots dogs will be consumed over the Fourth of July weekend.

t's almost July Fourth, America's birthday! And this year, the United States will be 242 years old. So what are you doing to celebrate? If your Fourth of July plans don't involve delicious poolside BBQ, refreshing drinks and a live DJ, cancel them right now. The aquatics centers on Camps Schwab, Kinser and Plaza Housing will be offering all of

this and more (like awesome games and prizes for all ages) at their Independence Day Summer Pool Bashes. But before you head to the pool for a fun afternoon in the sun, make sure you take a moment to reflect on why this patriotic holiday exists, and be thankful for the wisdom, faith and courage of our forefathers. After all, we are all very fortunate to be

evgenyb/bigstock.com, bhofack22/bigstock.com, Sarah Head

photooftheweek

For the latest hours of operation of all MCCS Aquatics Centers, visit facebook.com/mccsokinawa.aquatics.

from The Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. Each of the Independence Day Summer Pool Bashes will be held on July 4 from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, call your local participating aquatics center or visit mccsokinawa.com/aquatics.

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didyou indepth know? Summer Delight Family Fun Night

Children who routinely eat their meals together with their family are more likely to experience long-term physical and mental health benefits.

kiankhoon/bigstock.com, Rawpixel.com/bigstock.com

Source: sciencedaily.com

t’s a time-honored tradition; families getting together for a meal, conversation and bonding. Whether it was a relaxing Sunday brunch with plates piled-high with breakfast staples, a post-game pizza party at Chuck E. Cheese (“Where a kid can be a kid”) or post-homework Friday evening Chinese takeout talking about the happenings of the week, what really mattered was that everyone was together and happy. MCCS Clubs & Restaurants offer regular opportunities to carry on these traditions while stationed on Okinawa—in the form of Family Fun Nights! Held regularly at Kinser Surfside, the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster, Butler Officers’ Club on Plaza Housing and Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney, Family Fun Nights are themed events offering a family-friendly buffet, fun, games and prize giveaways. On Thursday, June 28 from 5 to

9 p.m., Kinser Surfside will be featuring another opportunity for family fun at the Summer Delight Family Fun Night in the Ballroom. Families can gather for an evening of food, fun activities and goodies from event sponsors Moon Ocean and Mattel. Prices for the Summer Delight Family Fun Night are $7.95 for adults and $3.95 for kids ages 5

to 11. Children under 5 eat FREE. For more information on this event, call Kinser Surfside at 637-3137 or visit them online at mccsokinawa.com/surfside. For more information on upcoming events at MCCS Clubs & Restaurants, visit facebook.com/mccsokinawa. diningandentertainment.

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tours+

adventure begins here Fun Day at Kouri Island July 2, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $23; Children (3–11) $16, (Under 3) FREE Marvel over 10,000 shells from around the world at the Kouri Shell Museum. After, enjoy a delicious lunch and spend the rest of the day exploring the beach. Bring yen for museum admission (¥800) and lunch, and a swimsuit, towels and a change of clothes.

Pizza in the Sky & Nakijin Castle Ruins July 7, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $26; Children (6–11) $18, (3–5) $16, (Under 3) FREE Gaze out at the ocean as you indulge in delicious pizza and salad from the café restaurant “Pizza in the Sky,” located in the hills of northern Okinawa. After lunch, stop by the Nakijin Castle Ruins. Bring yen for lunch and additional spending.

Kerama Island Snorkeling Tour July 4, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $78; Children (4–11) $44 Experience Okinawa like never before as we take you on a boat ride to one of Okinawa’s premier snorkeling and dive locations. Bring plenty of sunscreen, lunch and hydration. Tour goers must also provide their own snorkeling sets. Children under 3 and expectant mothers are not allowed on the tour.

Battle Sites Tour July 14, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28; Children (3–11) $18, (Under 3) FREE Visit Hacksaw Ridge and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum on Camp Kinser. Afterwards, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Memorial Park. Bring dollars for lunch and yen for admissions.

*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

upcoming semperfitevents

Roderica Mathis, AntonioDiaz/bigstock.com

Southern Camp Commander’s Cup Bowling Tournament July 12, 9 a.m. Futenma Bowling Center This event is FREE and open to eligible personnel stationed on Camps Foster and Kinser as well as MCAS Futenma. Participants may register at staffed MCCS Fitness Centers on these camps by July 2 (1 p.m.). Awards will be given to first and second place winners. For more information, call 636-2672 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Open Flag Football Tournament July 13, 6 p.m. July 14–15, 9 a.m. Camp Schwab Fields Register by July 9 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility for $120 per team. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals. For more information, call 625-2654 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Open Softball Tournament July 20, 6 p.m. July 21–22, 9 a.m. Camp Courtney Softball Fields Register by July 16 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility for $120 per team. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals. For more information, call 622-7297 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Open 11-on-11 Soccer Tournament July 27, 6 p.m. July 28–29, 8 a.m. Futenma Semper Fit Fitness Center Field Register by July 23 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS athletic facility for $100 per team. This event is open to all participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals. For more information, call 636-2672 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

classof theweek

Functional Fitness Spin Party This 90-minute class led by an experienced cycle and fitness instructor combines cycling with functional fitness exercises. For a full group fitness schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.