July 7, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
O
kinawa is a small ribbon of land almost engulfed by the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean. It’s primo ground for water adventures. With glassy waves and kaleidoscopic sea life, we are surrounded by the aquarium into which your third-grader self always wanted to dive. If you’re stuck in a same-snorkel-spot rut, we’ve compiled a list of sites to explore:
Mike Daley
“MAMA-SAN BEACH” ON IKEI ISLAND Just beyond Henza Island in Gushikawa Bay, Ikei’s Mama-san Beach is one of the few beaches that has white sugar sand minus the dead coral and rocks. It’s a great beginner spot with an easy from-the-shore entry and slow slope into the water. During the summer months, expect to pay ¥300 to ¥400 to use the beach facilities. SERAGAKI BEACH Another for beginners, Seragaki Beach is located off of Hwy. 58 in Onna Village. Despite its dilapi-
inside
dated facilities, there is a shallow cove that even children can explore. GORILLA CHOP So named for a rock formation that looks like a gorilla doing a karate chop, Gorilla Chop, located in Motobu, is a bit more adventurous. Just off shore, the rocky, sandy sea bottom is home to many interesting shell fish and the occasional lion fish. A bit further out, soft coral fingers sit in water from ten to twenty feet deep, offering the ideal spot for viewing scads of plants and sea life. WAAJI ON IE ISLAND Make sure the tide is receding and be ready to climb down some stairs and walk across the exposed part of the reef to reach the prime snorkeling locale. Waaji boasts huge formations of mushroom coral between large fingers of hard coral that drop off into very deep
Sunrise Yoga | 3 Aquathlons | 3 Culture Corner: Minimalism | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
“It’s primo ground for water adventures.” water. Keep to the shallower crevices where
you’ll find puffer fish, cuttlefish, stonefish and more—the variety more than makes up for the slightly difficult entry. If you don’t feel like doing any of the work part of snorkeling (the planning, coordinating, navigating) but you still want to see world-class beaches, hop aboard one of MCCS Tours+ snorkeling trips to the neighboring Kerama Islands. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/tours. Check out our “Pick of the Week” on page 7, and find out how a cup of coffee can lead to even more coral adventures.
Pick of the Week: Sango Coffee | 7 Dive-In Movie | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge
Y
Sunrise Yoga
oga originated in ancient India over 5,000 years ago, and it has recently caught fire in the Western world. Yoga is more than brands like Lululemon, though. It is a physically and mentally strengthening activity. The postures and stretches that are learned in yoga practice reduce stress and alleviate health problems. Not only does yoga increase flexibility, strength and balance, it can also improve mood and decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many people continue their yoga practice for a different reason than they start it; Namaste, meaning “I honor the universe in you,” becomes a part of their lives. For others, it remains simply the most relaxing way to get in a good full-body stretch. Whatever your reason, begin your week with Sunrise Yoga, a class offered Monday mornings from 6 to 7 a.m. at Camp Foster’s Gunners Fitness Center. Drive, bike or walk during sunrise to get to the class, and then greet the
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, Ashley Herring, Katherine Melrose, Jenessa Reutov BROADCAST | Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer MARKETING INTERN | A'Lexus Johnson
day with a half moon or warrior II pose, like the warrior you are. You’ll feel as though your whole body has taken in a deep, deep breath—ready to take on whatever the week has in
store for you. Once you’re done, grab your smoothie from LifeJuice and enjoy while the rest of the world is just stumbling out of bed.
events&happenings
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.
Top: EpicStockMedia/bigstock.com, bottom: Wavebreak Media Ltd/bigstock.com
Aquathlons
I
f you find yourself in a summer rut from too much lazing at the beach or the summer heat is cramping your style, perhaps you should shake things up a bit by working toward your fitness goals and staying cool at the same time. MCCS Aquatics and the Okinawa
Dolphins Swim Team are hosting Monday Night Aquathlons. Aquathlons are run-swim-run events. These are non-competitive events open to everyone from veteran athletes working on improving their time and endurance to beginners getting their first taste of amphibious fit-
ness. Aquathlons will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on July 11 and August 8. Same-day registration opens at 4:30 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Both events will take place at the Camp Foster 50M pool. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase of the week
I don't need that. Sore wa iri masen.
Clockwise from the top left: volkovslava/bigstock.com, Phanuwat Nandee/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
culturecorner
I
Minimalism
n a culture as consumerist as Japan it might seem unconventional to live a minimalist lifestyle. But living a minimalist life is in many ways fundamentally Japanese, a modern form of Zen; a true liberation of oneself by seeking the emptiness in existence. What does this mean for daily modern life? For many Japanese citizens today, this means reevaluating what their possessions mean to them. For some, like Tokyo’s Fumio Sasaki, this means they only need three shirts, four pants, four pairs of socks and not much else. Another Tokyo resident lives with 10 outfits and one pot. One woman can fit all her possessions in a single bag. Fewer possessions mean less time cleaning and maintaining stuff and more opportunities to engage in hobbies, travel and relationships. “I became a minimalist so I could let things I truly liked surface in my life,” says
a man who tossed everything in his apartment sans a futon and a table. It’s not just in Japan either. In the US, “tiny homes” are a growing trend. More and more people are opting to live in houses between 100 and 400 square feet, leading to a smaller ecological footprint and no mortgage. Minimal-
ism is also demonstrated in Steve Jobs’ black turtle neck and jeans, and Mark Zuckerberg explains, “I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community," as to why he always wears the same gray t-shirt.
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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wake up and save the world C
Check on the development of new baby coral at sooeido.ti-da.net
pickoftheweek Sango Coffee
an you save the oceans before you’ve even finished your first cup of coffee? The answer is yes if you’re drinking Okinawa’s Three Five coffee. Recently, Eco Coffee has come out with their 35 series. It’s deceptively simple in its classic brown paper packaging and black and white label. A lot of love goes into this roast, love of oceanic proportions. Three Five is a clever play on words; the Japanese word for three (san) and five (go) together make sango, the word for coral. And that's because 3.5% of every purchase goes towards the planting of new coral, and Eco Coffee takes it further than a donation—they don the scuba gear and head underwater themselves! You can even check on the development of new baby coral at sooeido.ti-da.net. Translated by Google from their website, sooeido.com, Eco Coffee says: “That of ECO COFFEE future that look to the environment, can begin now, joy. Get a cup of coffee. If
that one frame of the casual life save the earth, you are, become a part of the future of our planet.” Which doesn’t translate perfectly, but it’s just as adorable as those tire covers that plead with the world to enjoy and protect nature, and we are pretty
Clockwise from left: goinyk/bigstock.com, Caylee Reid, Mike Daley
photooftheweek
A day on the beach is a vacation.
sure we agree. Joy, saving the earth and coffee? Those are the only words we needed to hear. The Sango Series (35 Series) can be found at various farmers’ markets, city centers, Okinawa World and online.
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did you know?
70 percent of Americans go at least once a year to a: ____________________. a. Swimming Pool b. Movie Theater Answer: a Left: vhpfoto/Bigstock.com, cphoto/bigstock.com Right: Kelpfish/Bigstock.com
spotlight Dive-In Movie
S
ome might say there’s no better summer activity than lounging by the pool. Others might argue that there’s nothing more enticing on a summer night than taking in a good flick. But the feud can finally be put to rest as the two camps are brought together for one night at the Plaza
25M Pool’s Dive-In Movie event. This event combines all the benefits of movie night—popcorn, excitement, fountain drinks—with all the fun of being at the pool. (There will be a poll on Facebook to vote on what movie you want to see. Visit facebook. com/mccsokinawa.aquatics one week
prior to the event to vote for your favorite movie!) Dive-In Movie will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 14 and 28. For more information, call the Plaza 25M Pool at 645-2970.
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tours+
adventure begins here Spelunking Tour* July 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $47, Children (6–11) $37 Become a spelunker at the Gyokusendo Caves located at the popular attraction site of Okinawa World. Ocean Park & Lunch at Manza Beach Hotel July 10, 9 a.m.–4 p.m Adults $58, Children (3–12) $39 Spend the day relaxing at this upscale resort on stunning Manza Beach. Lunch at the resort’s Aqua Belle buffet is included.
Urashima Dinner Theater* July 15, 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Adults $68 with half lobster, $52 without lobster, Children (6–12) $38, (3–5) $34, (under 3) FREE (no meal) Savor the varied flavors of Okinawan cuisine while being entertained by traditional music and dancers. Forest Adventure July 16, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adult $49; Child (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.
*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
Peaceful Love Rock Festival July 9–10, 1 p.m. Okinawa Yagai Stage, Okinawa City Tickets: ¥4,000
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
From top to bottom: melis/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
Tsuken Dragon Boat Race July 10, 10 a.m. Fishing Port, Tsuken Island FREE
Breakfast at Southeast Botanical Gardens July 9–10, 7–10 a.m. Southeast Botanical Gardens, Okinawa City
upcoming semperfitevents Open Gladiator Games July 17 Camp Kinser Field #4 Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on July 11 for $30 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: 637-1869.
Flag Football Tournament July 22–24 Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on July 18 for $105.The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants islandwide. Awards will be given to top three teams. Details: 623-5569/5558.
classof theweek Zumba Zumba features aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms to tone and sculpt the body. Dancing skills are not necessary. Camps Courtney, Foster, Kinser and Schwab
For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.