Okinawa Living Magazine March 2023

features

8 Spring Fun with Tours+

The weather is warming, the sun is shining—it’s the perfect time to get out and about and explore Okinawa and beyond with Tours+!

16

Aquariums as a Hobby

Dive into the mystical world of aquariums as a hobby as Mr. Nelson Paguinto, passionate aquarist, aquascaping virtuoso and MCCS IT professional, sheds some light on building a healthy and vibrant freshwater ecosystem.

56

Lequio

Ryukyu Indigo Lab

Discover how Lequio, a fashion brand founded by Yoshinari Kakazu, intermingles beauty, form, color and history together in designs that are both one of a kind and ethereally beautiful.

restaurant review

40

The Seamen’s Club

Frenchy, director of U.S.S. Seamen’s Club, and his team are always sure to serve up a good meal with a generous helping of true hospitality (and a lemon butter sauce worthy of scraping every last bit from the plate)—an absolute delight of an experience.

45

fitness + fun

27

Schwab 5K Warrior Challenge

Not quite ready to take on a triathlon, but want to up the ante on the regular 5k run? Consider signing up for the Schwab 5k Warrior Challenge.

29 Kinser Open Softball Tournament

Work those hamstrings, get the blood pumping and swing for the fences at this month’s softball tournament happening on Camp Kinser.

marines + families

30

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized each April, so the Family Advocacy Program is launching a child abuse and neglect prevention outreach and engagement campaign themed “Mil-Parents Rock.” This campaign is focused on helping military parents create a foundation of well-being to help them feel secure and allow them to be that rock for their children.

33

Blood Drives

Roll up your sleeve and donate at a blood drive this month—there’s one happening at the Foster Library and another at the Futenma Library.

dining + entertainment

37

Easter Club Events

Don your Easter bonnet and hop on over to an MCCS Club or Restaurant for an egg-cellent Easter breakfast, brunch or an à la carte dining experience.

39

St. Patrick’s Day Club Events

Show up in green on March 17 to honor St. Patrick, national apostle and patron saint of Ireland and have a really good time at an MCCS Club.

kids + parents

43

Family Field Day

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a day of family fun-filled togetherness at MCCS Health Promotion’s brand-new event, Family Field Day!

45

Prom Swap

Parents of prom-bound teens, put those Visa cards away! Go green and save some too at the Foster Library’s prom dress swap.

services

49

Driver Education Program

Buckle up, the MCCS Driver Education Program is here to get you and your loved ones SOFA driver’s license certified—enroll in one of the March courses today.

49

Typhoon Motors Sales

Green is the color of March, green for spring, green for St. Patrick’s Day and green for the USD Typhoon Motors is going to save you on taking care of your ride!

extras

5 Mensôre

7 Feedback & Show Us!

67 Living on Okinawa

COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC

Major General Stephen E. Liszewski

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS, MCIPAC

Edward S. Hutsell

DEPUTY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS DIRECTOR, MCCS, MCB CAMP BUTLER

Michael S. Gieseck

DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR

MARINE & FAMILY PROGRAMS

Carlos J. Saldaña

DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR

BUSINESS & SUPPORT

Hyun Woo Chang

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Jim Kassebaum

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mike Daley

MCCS ART DIRECTOR

Henry C. Ortega

OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTORS

Margie Shimabukuro, Emily Wright

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Tiffany Kim, Alora Wilson

Elizabeth Goldsmith, Deanna Berg

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Thomas Alan Smilie

PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS

Kathlene Millette, Mia Cox, Kirstin Spanu

EDITORIAL

Kiara Klein, Dani Livesey

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA

Roxine Ami, Jaci Mullally, Tiara Supakit

CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Ayako Kawamitsu

ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP

Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa

Terumi Nagai, Ada Tovar, Tsutomu McCoy

MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Andrew Menges

MARKETING ACCOUNTS

Bethany Ramirez, Latoya Cardona, Eduardo Sanchez Perry

DISTRIBUTION

Wataru Yamanoha, Shohei Ikene

MARKETING INTERN

Austin Martinez

We welcome your comments. Please send letters to editor@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org

For advertising | 広告掲載のお問い合わせ (日本語可) 098-970-2245 (phone) | 098-970-0975 (fax) sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org (email)

See our advertising rates at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ol

MCCS MARKETING BRANCH

MCB Camp S.D. Butler. Unit 35023, FPO AP 96378-5023

mensôre

“Welcome” to Okinawa Living

Blooming Season!

Although spring starts a bit earlier here on Okinawa than in mainland Japan, March is still traditionally considered the beginning of the season—one synonymous with rebirth, renewal, revitalization and resurrection. It’s a time when barren branches sprout leaves and bleak fields become covered with colorful, lush clover and tiny springtime flowers. Time to head outside and celebrate the end of another dreary and cold winter!

In March, flowers are blooming throughout the island with azalea and bougainvillea brilliantly complementing the deep azure of Okinawa’s springtime skies. Spring training will also be winding down for the several Japanese professional baseball teams camped on the islands as they gear up for another season.

Okinawa offers many things to do, places to go and events to enjoy outdoors during the month of March—ranging from swinging for the fences in a softball tournament, gathering the family for an Easter Buffet or Field Day to planning a weekend spring tour with MCCS Tours+.

Cool weather and blue skies make March a perfect time for exploring the island, learning more about the history and culture of your home-away-from-home. It’s also perfect weather for just rolling all the way to the bottom of a verdant green hill cushioned with clovers. Go ahead, you know you want to.

As always, we thank you for picking up this issue of Okinawa Living Magazine. Now, time to turn the page and let your journey begin! 

Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief

feedback from the ICE Program and Facebook

We just want to thank William [Pyrdol] and the staff of Typhoon Motors on Camp Foster for helping us recently. We had a very frustrating day when our car battery died out in town. We were able to get it to the shop because they were open late, and William was extremely helpful in replacing our battery quickly and easily. He was kind, professional and turned our frustration from the day into relief. Thank you all!

—via ICE

I went on the Sumo Tour in January, and I want to give a big “thank you” to MCCS Tours+, specifically to Ms. Yumiko Arakaki and Ms. Miho Borgia who were very helpful and informative about the tour along with other events and tickets they had to offer. Also, thanks to Mark Waycaster, the tour leader, for providing a great overall experience during the tour. The whole process of just showing up at a designated time and location and not having to worry about anything else was amazing and made the trip stress free and very enjoyable. When we arrived in Tokyo, Mark was very accommodating by taking the group to a nearby subway station to give a class on how to get around Tokyo by using the subway; it was a good refresher for me. The bits of knowledge about the history and culture that he provided about sumo, the areas we visited and the various landmarks were all so amazing. I will recommend MCCS Tours+ to anyone that is looking for something to do, whether it is on island, off island or something to book and do on your own. Again, thank you and overall, it was a great experience, and I will be signing up for future tours. Also, I think I’m hooked on sumo now.

—via ICE

I have been absolutely blown away by the amazing staff at the Butler Officers’ Club. We have attended First Fridays, Sunday Brunch, USMC Birthday Balls, and many private events over the last four years. It has always been an absolute pleasure working with [Club Manager] Gina Leidig and [Catering Manager] Maripat McCord in coordinating events, and we can always expect the best food from Chef Heather [Neary]. The 2022 Christmas Brunch was especially amazing! It was a great experience for families to enjoy an incredible meal, great family atmosphere and a great experience with Santa. Because the time with Santa was for those enjoying brunch, families weren’t struggling with long lines for their kids to see him. People were allowed to buy their brunch tickets at the door if they missed reserving their spot. So, no one had to miss this opportunity. I am continually amazed by Gina’s constant professionalism. Whether she is trying to meet a frustrated customer’s requests or maneuver the delicate obstacles that arise when guests overindulge at the bar, Gina is resolutely professional. She cares about her staff, a positive experience for all guests and the reputation of the club. I wish more people took the time to acknowledge her dedicated work and how it directly improves our community here on Okinawa. Congratulations to the entire Butler Officers’ Club staff for a successful 2022. I will always recommend the “BOC” for events and celebrations.

—via ICE

Give MCCS Feedback—ICE Program & Facebook

Let us know how we can better serve you or thank us for a job well-done. Go to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org and find the ICE link in the “MORE” section of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.

The weather on Okinawa is warming and the sun is shining…spring fever is in the air! Get out and about and explore Okinawa and beyond with Tours+!

For newcomers to the island, one great excursion to start your Okinawa adventure with is the Discover Okinawa Tour which takes them to Yomitan village—a beautiful place that is rich with art, culture, music and spirituality. The Discover Okinawa Tour will take participants to three sites in the village to learn more about the island’s history, nature, art and traditional industry. The first locale is Zakimi Castle—originally built during the 15th century as a home for Lord Gosamaru. Today, both the ruins and the surrounding area are maintained as a park from which people can enjoy a panoramic view of the East China Sea. Next, the tour will take you to one of the most picturesque places on

the island—Zampa Misaki. Featuring one of the most oft-photographed lighthouses on the island, Zampa Misaki’s rocky cliffs are usually populated with fishermen clinging to ledges. The last stop on the tour is Gala Aoiumi—where visitors can experience the process of distilling salt from seawater and a myriad of Okinawan arts and crafts, such as pottery and glass blowing. One of the most unique facilities that can be found on the seashore below the Gala is the Sea Seed Coral Garden. Sea Seed is a coral farming facility that grows coral and transplants it back into the ocean.

Check okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/tours for upcoming dates and times and call 646-3502 for more info.

Even diving into the waters around Okinawa in March still requires a wetsuit for most, but you can enjoy the wonders of the ocean in your street clothes at Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium. This expansive park has a little bit of everything for everyone—from the subtropical flowers of the Omoro Arboretum and a traditional Okinawan village to massive tanks full of the aquatic and even amphibious creatures who also call Okinawa home. Take a full day to experience the vibrant colors and delicate scent of orchids in the Tropical Dream Center, fascinating history of sea travel in the Oceanic Cultural Museum (which also houses a planetarium) and dine at the on-site restaurants.

Check with Tours+ for discounted tickets or trips to the Ocean Expo Park and Churaumi Aquarium. Even though parking is plentiful and free around the park…it is quite a drive. Let MCCS Tours+ do the driving for you and take the hassle out of traffic on the way up and back as well. Your local Tours+ office will have all the details, so call them today and book the next trip!

March marks the end of whale watching season on Okinawa…but even though the numbers do thin as the gigantic cetaceans begin their long journey back to the seas of the Aleutians, it’s also the best part of the season to go on a whale watching tour! Why is that? The first reason is the weather, of course; March brings warmer breezes and calmer seas making the experience much more pleasant than in February. The second (and MUCH more important) reason to take a whale watching tour in March are the baby whales! Whales oftentimes bear calves in the warm (for them, at least), safe waters surrounding Okinawa. Mother whales with their calves stay near the surface and are easily spotted—and are an adorable delight to behold.

Check okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/tours for upcoming dates and times and call 646-3502 for more info.

TROY’s Military and Family Scholarship caps the cost of tuition at $250 per credit hour for active-duty military. Also, your spouse and family members receive up to 50% in tuition savings.

Contact the program coordinator nearest you for more information.

KADENA AB

kadena@troy.edu

DSN 634-7464

MISAWA AB misawa@troy.edu

DSN 226-3748

OSAN AB osan@troy.edu

DSN 784-8151

CAMP HUMPHREYS humphreys@troy.edu

DSN 755-3534

troy.edu/pacific

Term IV 2023

March 20 - May 21, 2023

Registration begins: Feb. 27, 2023

Term V 2023

May 30 - July 30, 2023

Registration begins: May 8, 2023

2nd Lt. Brandon Williams U.S. Army (’21)

Springtime is the best time for hiking, trekking and ziplining on Okinawa. It’s also when brilliantly hued azaleas bloom in the northern region of the island. Tours+ offers regular hiking excursions in the form of their Hiji Falls & Okuma Tour—where you can hike to one of the most picturesque waterfalls on Okinawa.

Enjoy zipping through the brisk spring air on the Yanbaru Adventure Ziplining Tour On this tour, you’ll journey to Higashi Village for panoramic views of Okinawa’s coastline with a side of adrenaline as you soar through the forests of Yanbaru. Afterwards, enjoy a late lunch at Okuma. And, for flower-lovers (and macro-shooters), the Higashi Village Azalea Festival Tour is sure to please. Look for more details on this bucket list item on okinawa.usmcmccs.org/tours.

For more information on these tours and more, visit MCCS Tours+ online at okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/tours or call them at 646-3502. 

Even though fish are often thought of as the simplest and least fussy of pets, starting a new hobby like fishkeeping can present some challenges. A successful aquarium requires a careful balance of science, art and diligence. And, your newest aquatic family members rely on you exclusively to provide them with attention and care.

However, maintaining a healthy environment and building a vibrant ecosystem in a freshwater aquarium is not as complicated as one might anticipate. With some proper research and a plan, an eye-catching aquarium with happy, healthy fish can provide you with a stress-relieving respite at the end of a long workday. Mr. Nelson Paguinto, passionate aquarist, aquascaping virtuoso and MCCS IT professional during the day, helps us dive into the mystical world of aquariums as a hobby.

Outside of a tank, there are a few items that are critical elements to any successful setup. “Three things you can’t do without for a successful aquarium—aside from the aquarium itself—are a good filtration system, LED lights and water conditioners. For aquascaping, a CO2 system is a must for lush plant growth. Buy the best your budget allows, as these items will be the workhorse for the system.” Nelson recommends.

It’s crucial to view initial equipment as an investment since each piece aids in the creation of a healthy environment—think of it as world-building on a smaller scale.

First one must choose an aquarium that suits their situation and while, ideally, bigger is always

better, one should know their limitations. One gallon of water weighs approximately 8.34 pounds, which means a fully decorated 10-gallon tank would weigh anywhere in the 90-to-100-pound range. This makes it vital to have a safe, dedicated space to house the aquarium—which could also mean investing in a dedicated aquarium stand.

Filters, LED lights and water conditioners are all elements that effect the overall display and help reduce the growth of harmful organic waste and bacteria. Nelson explained that there are three types of filtration systems —mechanical, biological and chemical—and many aquarium filters on the market use a combination of the three.

Another important feature that one should consider when starting an aquarium is which type of substrate to use. Substrate is the material (or materials) used to cover the bottom of the tank and should be given careful consideration since it becomes a home to beneficial bacteria, breaking down ammonia produced by the fish and converting it into nitrites. There are many different kinds of substrate, but the three main types are gravel, silica sand and soil.

Gravel is probably the most common substrate found in pet stores, and it can be rounded like a pebble or jagged (it’s best to avoid this one). Gravel can come in a variety of colors, although the vivid neon-colored rocks one might be familiar with contain dye, and while eye-catching and enticing, it is best to avoid them.

Silica sand is available in range of grain sizes, from

coarse to fine. Its compact structure makes it easy to keep clean since there are no crevices for uneaten food and fish excrement to reside in.

Soil used as substrate is specially formulated for aquarium use and is often found in planted tanks. Soil substrates help to deliver necessary nutrients like ammonia to the aquatic plants, so it must be considered carefully when planning the layout of a planted tank since excess ammonia can harm the fish.

Nelson is a strong advocate of doing your own research. “Over many years, I wish I’d known that not all pet shops are experts on what they are doing, selling and recommending. The internet gave us information we never had back then [when he first started the hobby in high school], and today, researching the hobby before getting into it is as easy as Googling it.”

Aquascaping, otherwise known as underwater gardening, is the craft of artfully arranging a variety of aquatic horticulture, hardscape pieces such as large stones and driftwood along with substrates. Each of these natural elements are combined to create aesthetic scenes that are meant to mimic nature—sort of like underwater ikebana Nelson currently has three tanks in his home. “One is for competition and two are for the enjoyment of aquascaping,” he explained. There are two prominent styles that exist in aquascaping—Zen and wild. And although these two can be broken into additional subcategories, they are the main two styles to keep in mind

when planning a scape. “I think my interest in fishkeeping and aquascaping stems from my love of art and science, and this hobby develops one through experience,” Nelson revealed. So, when starting a new scape, Nelson always goes in with a plan or design in mind, usually sketching his idea out beforehand.

It may feel daunting to start an aquascape, but with a little bit of knowledge, some imagination, an unrelenting attitude and a few creative constructs, it’s possible to create a scape that both looks attractive and flourishes.

Keep it simple, like many other creative endeavors… less is more. While this may sound like cliché advice, many aquascaping novices will try to incorporate as many plants as possible. However, the result will appear both overcrowded and underwhelming.

Simple, however, does not mean only using one kind of plant, so try to opt for a variety of different kinds of aquatic plants, or hydrophytes. Nelson advises beginners to think about the composition of the scape. Give thought to what should appear in the foreground, middle ground and background—it’s common for taller plants to be planted in the back of the tank.

When choosing a variety of aquatic plants to purchase, be sure to carefully consider proportions.

Those taller plants in the background will provide a scale with the smaller plants or java moss placed near the front of the tank. When creating an aquascape, scale is everything.

Remember that aforementioned unrelenting attitude? Persistence is the key to aquascaping; there might be some constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing until settling on a scape—but that’s just all part of the process!

Beyond implementing these principles, there are a few fundamental design rules to follow that help with the visual impact of an aquascape such as the rule of thirds (a composition guideline that refers to placing visual anchoring pieces in the right or left third of the tank), the golden ratio (an aesthetically pleasing ratio that enhances harmony and balance in design made famous by Leonardo da Vinci) and a focal point (this is the main focus of the scape).

When beginning a new hobby, it can be easy to “put the cart before the horse.” Or in this case, purchase fish before establishing an environment. Some may be eager to jump in with both feet, but the same thought and intention that goes into planning and establishing the aquarium should also be extended to choosing the aquatic life that will reside inside.

Nelson’s advice stresses balance: “The bigger the fish, the longer their lifespan, and there are fish species that do not do well with aquascapes as their size and behavior can uproot plants or break down the entire layout.” Messy and eager to eat anything that will fit in their mouths, goldfish are one example of fish that are known to disrupt more delicate scapes.

What does Nelson have to say about maintenance?

“A planted tank looks easy to create and that is the allure to it. But it will require time, almost daily to observe fish and plant conditions. Water change is an essential task for a healthy and balanced tank. For new tanks, a 30 percent water change done at least two times a week, would be ideal. Some plants can grow an inch or two in a week and need regular pruning and replanting. ‘Low-maintenance’ setups, on the other hand, use slow-growing plants, so this setup is ideal for busy people since it can be left off for many weeks without maintenance.”

And, of course, aside from initial investments, there’s the running costs of electricity, fish food, fertilizers—and inevitably once hooked on the hobby—more tools, tanks, fish and other new gadgets.

To anyone considering immersing themselves into the world of aquariums as a hobby, Nelson has some final words of wisdom: “Aquascaping is fun and challenging; it provides endless engagement of biology, botany, chemistry and art—all rolled into one hobby. For beginners, please consider everything from cradle to grave. It is our responsibility to nurture them [the fish], know their lifecycles, and when the time comes, know how to dispose them where they cannot cause environmental disasters. Most flora and fauna species in the pet shops are nonendemic and invasive; if released in the local water, they can wreak havoc to the ecosystem. Enjoy the hobby and scape on!”

Schwab 5K Warrior Challenge

Swimrun Fun!

Want to up the ante on that 5k run, but not quite ready to take on a triathlon? Consider instead a new phenomenon taking the athletic world by storm known as…the swimrun! Not sure what that is? Well—if you guessed that it’s a swim and run put together then you would be right.

The first swimrun took place in Sweden in 2002 after four friends sat together in a bar debating whether or not it was possible to travel up the Stockholm archipelago (made of 24,000 islands) without a boat. A few more drinks and the bet was born; the last team to swim and run their way from the city of Uto to Sandhamn would have to pay for the hotel, dinner and drinks of everyone. A few years later and the bet became a tradition resplendent with the new name “swimrun,” coined by Erika Rosenbaum. From there, swimruns spread to all corners of the globe taking various shapes and sizes along the way, and now they’ve come to Okinawa.

On March 25 at the Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center, you can give the swimrun your best shot with the Schwab 5k Warrior Challenge, a 5k run and 400m swim. All those attempting the feat will receive an event shirt and completion medal—and don’t worry, you won’t have to travel to Sweden to participate! Awards will be given for those taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in gender categories. Folks wishing to register can do so online at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports by March 22 at 11:30 p.m. for $40. For more information, reach out to adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

A Fable of Strikes and Spares

…at the Foster Open Bowling Tournament

It’s time to decide who really is the Baron of Bowling, the Sultan of Strikes, the Admiral of the Alley, the Lancelot of the Lanes. Do you have what it takes to make the pins tremble on their marks and gutters weep from the loneliness of underuse? Well, it’s time to prove it at the Foster Open Bowling Tournament!

Taking place on Sunday, March 19 starting at 8 a.m. at the vaunted lanes of the Foster Bowling Center, this event is open to teams island wide made up of four members 12 years of age and older. Entry fees are $100 for teams and registration will be accepted until March 13 at 1 p.m. at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports.

To the conquerors of the lanes, the spoils! Along with bragging rights, awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

For more information on the Foster Open Bowling Tournament and other upcoming events, head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. If you have any questions, send Semper Fit Adult Sports an email at adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Swing for the Fences

Taking a few laps around the diamond is a perfect way to work those hamstrings and get the blood pumping, but it’s even better when there’s a few dingers involved. So, if you’re looking to get outside and stretch your legs by running from base to base or snagging a few fly balls in the outfield, head to the Kinser Open Softball Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, March 18–19.

Team sizes are limited to 15 players, plus a coach. A coach who chooses to participate in the game counts against the 15-player

roster. This tournament is open to participants island wide ages 16 and older and takes place at the Camp Kinser softball fields. Players better bring their A-game, as awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

If batting a few dingers piques your interest, register your team online at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports by 1 p.m. March 13. For more information and a comprehensive set of rules, email adultsports@usmc-mccs.org.

Serve it up!

Whether you’ve been around the sport for a long time or you’re new to the game, you probably already know the best thing about volleyball—it can be played year-round, almost anywhere. For example, you can find yourself playing on a hot, summer day sliding and spiking in the sand while soaking some up Vitamin D, diving through the grass for an impressive save that helps win your team the game or a nice indoor game on cold, dreary days when the rain won’t let up.

Oh, and speaking of playing indoors, MCCS Semper Fit is hosting the Camp Courtney Open Volleyball Tournament Saturday and Sunday, April 8–9 at the Ironworks Fitness Center. Details about the tournament are as follows: Each team is limited to 10 players, including a coach—who will only count against your player limit if they decide to compete. And, most importantly, make sure you bring the heat because there will be awards for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

This event is open to participants island wide ages 16 and up, so rally your team and head over to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports to score your team’s spot before 1 p.m. on April 3 for $100. For more information about the tournament and more upcoming events, you can check out okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports. Any questions? Send a quick email to adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Camp Courtney Open Volleyball Tournament

Kinser Open Softball Tournament

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized each April, and this year will see the launch of a child abuse and neglect prevention outreach and engagement campaign themed Mil-Parents Rock. This campaign will focus on helping parents create a foundation for well-being that will help them feel secure and allow them to be a rock for their children. Mil-Parents Rock will build awareness and increase the use of positive parenting resources to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Primary campaign goals are to create awareness of the resources by connecting military parents to positive parenting information and the tools they need to be present and maintain a healthy environment;

provide the military community with ways to support military parents and families; drive awareness among military leaders of the factors that allow military families to thrive; and increase awareness of the Family Advocacy Program and child abuse and neglect reporting process. Throughout April, the Family Advocacy Program, Prevention & Education folks will be hosting lots of events and putting out a plethora of information to highlight the theme, culminating in a rockin’ Military Community Music Festival where there will be live music, food trucks, family activities, bounce houses and more. For more information or to contact the Family Advocacy Program, Prevention & Education, call 645-2915 or email fapprevention@usmc.mil

Book Clubs

Make

If your “new year, new me” energy is still strong going into this month, perhaps a new hobby is in order. How about a pursuit that is quite the familiar pastime—an activity practiced religiously during adolescence, yet that slowly drops out of some people’s lives for one reason or another. What is this hobby? It’s reading. The best thing about starting (or restarting) recreational reading is that local libraries provide the highest quality material for FREE.

Have no clue where to begin or what book to start first? Then check out Foster and Kinser Library Book Clubs. At these clubs, novels are pre-selected—and even better— there are many other readers ready to form connections through engaging discourse.

This month, Foster Library has selected The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. Readers will be engrossed by this haunting historical fiction novel about Mila Pavilchenko—a studious Russian mother turned deadly sniper-rifle-wielding Nazi hunter—whose stealth and fatality toll has earned her the nickname “Lady Death.” Kinser Library has picked The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Zafón. A story set in 1945 Barcelona with young protagonist Daniel Sempere, the son of an antiquarian book dealer, who finds comfort in a mysterious fictitious novel of the same title—The Shadow of the Wind—this enthralling story within a story is an epic tale brimming with twists and turns.

Foster’s meeting takes place on March 16 at 6 p.m., and readers at Kinser Library will meet on March 15 at 5:30 p.m. For questions regarding either Book Club, please call respective facilities at 098-970-7178 (Foster Library) or 098-970-555, then 637-1039 (Kinser Library). 

Mil-Parents Rock

March is Healthy Eating Month

Eat Right, Bite by Bite

The arrival of spring each year invites all of us to trade in our cozy nooks of blankets, comfort foods and snug slippers for walks in the sunshine, breathing that wonderful fresh air. It feels easier to exercise when it’s a joy to be outside, but with all that running around sometimes the simplicity of grabbing a bite to eat on the go wins over healthier eating options. Perhaps this is why dietitians, nutritionists and health experts across the United States celebrate March as National Nutrition Month.

To help you stay on track, become aware of the importance of good nutrition and encourage you to eat healthier, the folks at MCCS Health Promotion will be offering resources for healthy eating all March long. You can find information on lifelong healthy eating habits at facebook.com/mccsokinawa.

Blood Drives

According to the Red Cross, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion every two seconds. Yet, this year, due to the lingering implications of the Covid-19 pandemic and the severe winter storms that plagued the nation in December, the United States is facing one of the worst blood shortages it has ever seen.

semperfit or their website okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/healthpromotion.

In addition to those resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has some great tools for folks beginning their journey with healthy eating, including the “MyPlate Plan” found at myplate.gov/myplate-plan, which will walk folks through how much of each food group they should be eating per day, based on their age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level. Parents who are looking to help their kiddos build lifelong healthy eating habits can check out the USDA’s life stages website at nutrition.gov/topics/nutrition-life-stage for tips, coloring books and MyPlate materials to help start the conversation with their kids. Remember, it doesn’t take much to eat right bite by bite—small goals and changes can have a big impact.

Everyone knows that donating blood can save lives, and while donors never expect to be rewarded for their generosity, volunteering to give can come with some surprising health benefits. For starters, before you donate blood, several tests are performed to help determine if one’s healthy enough to donate blood and see if their blood is safe for another person. This health screening includes tests such as checking vital signs, taking one’s blood pressure and listening to the heart, all of which could determine if there are any underlying health issues. In addition, a blood test will reveal rare blood types or any present infectious disease. Donating blood can also mean a healthier heart and circulatory system. Regular blood donation has been linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk of heart attacks (especially in men). Plus, it just makes you feel good, and it’s a great way to engage with the community and help others around you.

Ready to roll up your sleeve? There are two blood drives happening this month—one at the Foster Library on March 15 and another at the Futenma Library on March 16 and both run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For questions about the blood drives, call 098-9707178 (Foster Library) or 098-970-555, then 636-3946 (Futenma Library). 

ATTEND A NO-COST WEBINAR

FIND YOUR NEXT SUCCESS AT UMGC ASIA

Register to attend at asia.umgc.edu/webinars or scan the QR code below. If you apply for admission within 30 days of attending an Intro to UMGC Asia or Graduate Programs webinar, your $50 application fee will be waived!

Easter Club Events

An Egg-cellent Easter Meal

Are you ready to don that Easter bonnet with all the flowers on it and be the best dressed at an MCCS Club today? If so, then you are in for a treat because MCCS Clubs and Restaurants are pulling out all the stops to make sure that you have an Easter meal worthy of that spectacular new spring suit! So, whether you and the kiddos need to fuel up for that great big egg hunt with Peter Cottontail later in the day, are looking for the perfect place to gather as a family and break bread or just want an awesome meal with your bros, MCCS Clubs and Restaurants are here with picture-perfect mouthwatering meals for memory making.

Those wanting to enjoy a breakfast buffet can delight at the Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the price of $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for children under 5. You can reach the Habu Pit to make a reservation at 636-3081. Brunch buffet connoisseurs can choose from several options including Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney or Surfside on Camp Kinser from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or Butler Officers’ Club on Plaza Housing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All brunch buffet locations require reservations through Eventbrite, and cost $21.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 5–11, and are FREE for children under 5. For an à la carte dining

experience that won’t soon be forgotten, patrons can visit Taiyo Steakhouse on Taiyo Golf Club from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather permitting, seating will even be available on the balcony so you can enjoy that wonderful fresh spring air. Reservations for Taiyo are highly recommended and can be made by calling 622-2020.

Wherever or however you and your loved ones decide to spend this Easter Sunday, know that some bunny is thinking of you, and all of us at OL are sending the warmest springtime wishes to you this eggstra-special Easter season. 

St. Patrick's Day Club Events

Don You Now Your Green Apparel

Every year on March 17, people don their green and orange in honor of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Originally observed as a religious holiday that fell in the middle of Catholicism’s observance of Lent, families would go to church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon when Lenten prohibitions were lifted by feasting on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. The first St. Patrick’s Day parades were held in America, not Ireland, first in the Spanish colony of St. Augustine in 1601, and then later in New York when homesick Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in 1772. From there, enthusiasm for St. Paddy’s Day festivities has spread around the world, and this year you can join in the fun at an MCCS Club.

Celebrations with FREE finger foods will be offered in honor of St. Patrick’s Day at Camp Courtney’s Hashmarks and Legends as well as MCAS Futenma’s Habu Pit starting at 5 p.m., Plaza Housing’s Butler Officers’ Club at 6 p.m., Camp Hansen’s The Palms at 7 p.m., Camp Kinser’s Surfside at 8 p.m. and Camp Foster’s Ocean Breeze, Camp Courtney’s Bayview and Camp Schwab’s BeachHead at 9 p.m.

So, gather your buddies and dress in your best green garb (you never know what leprechauns might be hanging about to cause mischief for those not appropriately attired), and head to an MCCS Club to honor St. Patrick (or maybe just have a really good time). 

Giddy Up & Dance

Western Night

Do you idolize the stoic silent cowboy type with the gray moral compass trying to establish law and order while dealing with the outof-town bandit? Or, when you hear the melodious sounds of Blanco Brown’s “The Git Up” does it take everything in you not to get down? If your dance moves are lawless and you like to line up and stomp it out on the dance floor, then yeehaw, there’s a Final Friday theme waiting for you!

Get ready to saddle up and git on over to MCAS Futenma for this month’s Final Friday event on March 31: Western Night at Habu Pit! There will be a DJ mixing heaps of the hottest western hits and classic country music, so you can boot scootin’ boogie the night away to some toe tappin’ tunes.

This shindig will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. inside the dining room and is open to SOFA ID card holders of all ranks and ages. Feel free to come sharp-set since FREE food will be available from 5 to 7 p.m. Patrons ages 20 years or older may (sensibly and responsibly) wet their whistle with western-themed beverages such as the Cowboy Lemonade and Texas Margarita, which will be available for purchase at the bar.

In addition to the foot stompin’ good time, there will be prizes and giveaways! So, shine up those cowboy boots and blow on over like a tumbleweed. Head to okinawa.usmcmccs.org/habupit for Habu Pit’s location and hours of operation. For more information or questions, please call 098-970-5555, then dial 636-3081. 

Hours of Operation

Open 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (last call 2:30 p.m.) and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (last call 8:30 p.m.)

Location

Japan, 901-0141 Okinawa, Naha, Kagamizu

Contact Information +81-98-857-1753 (or 098-857-1753)

Payment USD and Yen Accepted

Tell your server you read about Seamen’s Club in Okinawa Living Magazine for 10% off your next dine-in meal. (Offer good through April 30, 2023.)

The Seamen’s Club

A Diamond in the Rough

Some things in life are indescribable; the beauty of a sunset or the first time an infant belly laughs, for example, can never quite be captured in words. Frenchy, the director of the U.S.S. Seamen’s Club, is a little bit like that. With a servant’s heart, a passion for hospitality and way of speaking that feels like a welcoming embrace, he is what makes the Seamen’s Club a diamond in the rough.

Hidden away down by the port in Naha, the Seamen’s Club charter is to cater to whatever needs a seaman might have, be it blowing off steam after spending weeks on ship by playing a few rounds of darts or pool in the game room, having a drink with your mates at their Pirate’s Cove bar, hosting a Hail and Farewell in the elegant party room or enjoying a family meal in the main dining area. Frenchy and his team have even been known to help mariners find a good dentist while here on solid ground. But the club doesn’t just serve the Merchant Marine, in fact, it’s open to anyone with a military ID.

Folks shouldn’t just come for the ambiance (or to have “Hello, hello, hello,” sung to them by Frenchy as he greeted one family before taking their youngest daughter to meet Nemo in the aquarium) though; they should also come for a spectacular meal. Every course those of us at Okinawa Living sampled had us making noises of appreciation with each bite. My mom used to say you can tell how good something tastes by the amount of involuntary sound that escapes while you eat, and when it came to the juicy, massive bone-in ribeye with beautiful grill marks topped with a parsley

butter, boy did our group voice their pleasure. Nothing says “this is delicious” like nodding to the sky with a sigh of happiness.

The salmon too, was a massive hit at our table, served with a parsley lemon butter sauce, it was flaky and tender. Rox, our web content specialist declared “I’d eat broccoli more if it was covered in this sauce,” as we scraped every last bit of it from the plate. The next thing we sampled was the Seamen’s Burger, which was a perfect assembly of all the typical burger fixings in one amazing bite after another, resulting in a taste that was anything but typical. My favorite bite of the day, it was complemented by a crisp dill pickle slice and crinkle fries that just kept magically making their way to my mouth almost of their own volition.

The final two things sampled were the Club Sandwich and the Fried Rice, both of which were perfect examples of what their respective dishes should be. The toasted bread of the club was soft, and the sandwich had good ratios of lunch meat, cheese and crispy bacon. The fried rice possessed that patented chew that one expects from a good fried rice dish, along with a great mix of other textures and flavors from the egg, steak, pork and peppers.

Eating at the Seamen’s Club proved to be an absolute delight, and came with an eclectic assemblage of experiences that went beyond the expected. Frenchy and his crew offer everything one needs for a good time and a good meal, offered of course, with a generous helping of true hospitality. 

Text by: Dani Livesey | Photography by: Kirstin Spanu

Strength & Resilience

Youth Martial Arts Classes

Could your little one benefit from learning the art of self-discipline? Do you want to help them succeed at working towards and attaining specific goals while bolstering self-esteem and building confidence? All the above and much, much more can be gained by enrolling them in a youth martial arts class!

MCCS Fitness Centers offer several classes—many open to children—including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (a martial art form centered around grappling, submission holds and other leverage-based tech-

niques), Isshin-ryū (a traditional style of Okinawan karate focused on form and close-range techniques) and more.

Youth martial arts classes are held at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster, Ironworks Fitness Center on Camp Courtney and the Camp Kinser Fitness Center. Folks interested in signing up their kids for classes can find details, class times and fees as well as contact information at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/recreation-fitness.

Family Field Day Bask in the Breeze and Enjoy…

Leaping leprechauns and fields of green, MCCS Health Promotion is here on the springtime scene and proud to present a brand-new event: Family Field Day. Come bask in the sweet breeze and gentle sunshine while letting the kids run and play with a day of fun-filled family togetherness.

Family Field Day-goers can engage in carnival and picnic-style games such as corn hole, mega 4 in-line and more, while the kids burn off energy in giant inflatable obstacle courses. In addition to inflatables, families can participate in yoga and kids dance sessions.

Furthermore, attendees can visit and learn something new at the many informational booths on-site. This celebration of spring kicks off on March 31 at Camp Lester Field from 9 a.m. to noon and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older with base access. Children ages 5–17 may attend with a parent or legal guardian present. Registration for this fabulous family oriented affair is open now via Eventbrite and closes March 26.

To see what else Health Promotion has up their little green sleeve this month, head to facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit, or find resources on how to help your little shamrock eat the rainbow by incorporating a variety of different-colored whole foods this March (which happens to be Healthy Eating Month) by flipping to p. 33. For more information, head to okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion

Prom Swap

Go Green and Save Some Too

Prom, named after its celebratory ancestor the Promenade (a formal showcase where collegiate seniors showed off their newly acquired high society manners in the 1800s) is a rite of passage for highschoolers and a high stress, high-cost experience for their folks. A recent survey from Visa showed the average U.S. family plans to spend about $920 on a teen’s prom, and that’s without factoring the cost of a “promposal.”

If you’re the parent of a teen, and all those dollar signs adding up are starting to make you feel a little woozy—worry not, because we have a solution to help your wallet breathe a sigh of relief.

On March 31 from 4 to 8 p.m. and April 1 from noon to 2 p.m., the Foster Library is hosting a prom dress swap where your prom-going

teen can trade last year’s formal attire for something new to them. What’s better, since prom dresses are typically only ever worn once, this allows a basically brand-new dress to bring a new person joy—think of it as high fashion reducing, reusing and recycling. If you don’t have a teen that’s prom bound but you’ve got some formalwear taking up space in your closet, feel free to donate it at the Foster Library any day during March, knowing that your donation will be worn on a night that a teen will remember forever. For more information about the Prom Swap, email fosterlibrary@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or call the Foster Library at 645–7178. 

Dip Your Toes in… And Learn to Swim

The weather is starting to warm up here on Okinawa and many are escaping the mugginess by hopping in the water. But before you wade in waist deep, you should probably learn how to swim.

Start by dipping your toes into the pool at the Camp Foster Aquatic Center and learn how to swim at one of their swim lessons! Other than potentially saving your life, learning how to swim properly has rippling effects on your health; it keeps your heart and lungs strong, increases stamina and improves balance and posture. It’s also a great form of low impact exercise.

The Learn to Swim (LTS) Program offers classes for adults and children (starting at six months old). Regular individual lessons are $75 (preschool to adults 16+), and Parent and Child lessons are $50.

Each session includes eight consecutive weekday classes (weather permitting) and stroke improvement/refinement classes are also available for advanced swimmers.

The LTS Spring 1 session starts on March 13 and goes until March 23. Registration is available via Eventbrite by 5 p.m. on March 6. The Spring 2 session starts on March 27 and runs until April 6. Registration for Spring 2 is available until 5 p.m. on March 23.

For additional information on LTS, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/learntoswim, and if you have any questions about their Learn to Swim program, you can send an email to mccsaquatics@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org

Buckle up, and Get Your License

Driver Education Program

The Driver Education Program, a brand-new program tailored to aid Marines, Sailors and their families stationed on Okinawa with their POV licensing needs, has open seats in their March classes. This program features American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)/AAA certified courses which includes 39 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction for those in need. Students who complete the Driver Education Program will receive their SOFA driver’s license in Japan.

First-time driver classes—open to adult/teen students ages 16 or older— take place at Marine & Family Programs-Resources (Bldg. 445) and run Monday–Friday, March 6–22 from 6 to 9 p.m. Refresher courses as well as classes for active duty are held in Bldg. 5677. The classes for active-duty personnel run Monday–Friday, March 27–31 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and refresher courses (which do not include behind-the-wheel instruction) are slated to take place March 10, 17 and 24 from 9 a.m. to noon.

All in-person classes are held on Camp Foster, while behind-thewheel instruction take place at both Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base.

Please note that students are required to have their learner’s permit prior to scheduling their behindthe-wheel instruction, and behindthe-wheel instruction is contingent and scheduled on student and instructor availability.

To find necessary registration forms and the full course schedule, head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/drivereducation. For questions about the Driver Education Program, send an email to driver.education@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 098-970-5823 from a cellphone or 645-5823 from a DSN. 

Typhoon Motors Sales

Say Goodbye to Squeals and Hello to Deals!

Green is the color of March, green for spring, green for St. Patrick’s Day and green for the USD Typhoon Motors is going to save you on taking care of your ride. Have you been waiting to get that super scary squeak your brakes make when you try and stop on a hill checked out until you had a little bit of cash to spare? Well, with the Safety Special of 10 percent off all Brake Services and Repairs happening all month long, you can say goodbye to that scary squeal and hello to peace of mind.

That’s not all though, as part of their St. Patrick’s Day Sale happening March 17–24, you can trick out your ride with up to 50 percent off selected automotive goods, and unlike leprechaun magic, these deals come no strings attached, and we promise there’s no cabbages around when it comes to their gear. Are you frustrated by an audio system that never allows you jam out with maximum volume and clarity? Then March 25–31 is the perfect time to head to Typhoon Motors because they are offering 15 percent off all amplifiers (for non-gearheads, a car amplifier boosts a very small electrical audio signal from the head unit to a higher voltage and can drive loudspeakers connected with speaker wire improving volume and sound clarity) so you can listen to T. Swift as loud as your heart desires. For more information about locations, operating hours, services and more, visit okinawa.umsc-mccs.org/typhoonmotors or call DSN 645-7169 or 098-970-7169. 

Beautiful Gifts

For Sharing the Island Life

How many times have you seen or experienced something on island that made you immediately think of someone you love? Instantly, you think to yourself, “Gosh, they’d really get a kick out of that.” Sure, you’ll tell them the story, or message them a few photos you snapped, but that will only leave them with a faint memory of your conversation. Why not give them the closest thing to actually being here—their own copy of Omoide: Memories of Okinawa or The Best of Okinawa Living?

Omoide: Memories of Okinawa is filled with the most spectacular island views any camera lens could capture. It’s perfect for reminiscing about favorite places and beautiful scenes you’ve witnessed during your time on island. If it’s insights about the island, historical tidbits and local artists’ perspectives you’re looking for, look no further than The Best of Okinawa Living, which shares text along with photos.

With both books, sharing Okinawa is one of the best gifts you can give—especially when you’re already on the hunt for a special gift for family back home. Say, did any of the times you were out and about remind you of your mom and dad? Think about how much you wish they could see Okinawa through your eyes. Now you have a gift they’re sure to appreciate. So, go ahead, add one or both to your gift list and then complete your shopping at almost any Exchange retail facility on island that sells books. 

MCCS Gift Card

The Most Versatile Gift!

Show them how much you care with an MCCS Gift Card for that special occasion! What can they use it for? We’re so glad you asked!

How about a relaxing massage from Semper Fit followed by an evening of fine dining at Taiyo Steakhouse? Or, how about immortalizing a child’s prized 3rd grade drawing with a frame from Foster Arts and Crafts?

The MCCS Gift Card is the most versatile gift, made for everyone—good for logoed merchandise and performance apparel for golfers from the Taiyo Golf Club Pro Shop, a customized ball from the Camp Foster Bowling Pro Shop, an oil change for their ride from Typhoon Motors, snorkeling and diving gear from Tsunami Scuba for ocean fanatics or even branded gymnastics apparel from Excellence Gymnastic Academy for budding Olympians—the list is endless.

MCCS Gift Cards are available for pur-

chase and redemption at all MCCS Clubs, Restaurants and Retail Operations including Taiyo Steakhouse, all fast-casual dining facilities (Bonsai Coffee Company, Bulldogs Burgers, Shisa Pizza, Sumo Burrito and Red Barn), Taiyo Golf Club (including the Pro Shop) all Bowling Centers (including the Camp Foster Pro Shop) and all Tours+, Tsunami Scuba, Typhoon Motors locations.

In addition, the MCCS Gift Card is usable at just about every MCCS facility— including Special Events Bouncers+ and Semper Fit Outdoor Recreation rentals, at all staffed Semper Fit Fitness Centers (including retail and LifeJuice purchases, martial arts and other classes as well as event and athletic tournament fees) and much, much more! Quantities are limited, so get yours today! For more information about MCCS Gift Cards, call (DSN) 645-5809.

Text by: Dani Livesey

Design by: Liz Goldsmith

Photography by: Mia Cox

Translation by: Yoshihiro Shinzato

Yoshinari Kakazu, founder of Ryukyu Indigo Lab, looks every bit the part of creative visionary. Tall with stylish glasses and dressed in Ryukyu Indigo clothes he designed, he is very much the embodiment of his brand, but it’s his passion for his work that stands out above all else when one meets him. Passion to “present original products that can be made nowhere else [but on Okinawa]” as he put it, and passion for designs that evoke a sense of place filled with pride about being born on Okinawa.

Kakazu-san, was raised in Okinawa City just outside the gates of Kadena Air Base. As a boy, he would watch the Americans from his home and was heavily influenced by elements of United States culture. At the same time, his mother was an instructor of traditional Ryukyu dance, and he was raised immersed in the beauty of traditional kimono and other fabrics made with Ryukyu Bingata (a fabric dyeing technique that dates back to the 14th century). As he grew, he came to understand that both he and Okinawa itself were influenced by the confluence of both cultures and that harmony of opposition was something to celebrate.

His early career was marked by frustration, however. With his vision of rivaling designers the world over with Okinawan-made products, he needed the perfect of place. An avid diver, he was searching for a shade that would call to mind the cerulean seas of Okinawa’s oceans. Unwilling to compromise his vision, he made a decision that would give Lequio it’s unique look and bring his dream to fruition. If he couldn’t find the right dye, he would make it himself, and thus Ryukyu Indigo Lab was founded.

As Kakazu-san grew from child into an adolescent, he

International Design Academy before launching his career.

Ryukyu Indigo Lab manages the process of creating indigo dye from plants. It is a technique that dates back over five millennia and came to Okinawa in the 14th century. It is a delicate and time-consuming process fraught with many factors that can render a batch useless, and it was a process Kakazu-san tediously taught himself, and then refined to create the highest quality of dye.

The process begins with the nurturing of indigo plants from small grafts. During this time, weather is the biggest hazard because any kind of bruising to the leaves from harsh winds can cause them to wither and oxidize, turning them black and making the leaf unusable. The moisture content of the soil must be right, as the ground must be moist but not flooded. Sun also can damage the delicate leaves, and the young seedlings are kept under netting, protecting them from the harsh light.

Once the seedlings reach maturity, they are transplanted from the greenhouse to the fields so they may continue growing in the open air. When the indigo plants reach waist high on Kakazusan (about a meter tall) they are ready to be harvested. Harvesting the plants must be done quickly and carefully, because any damage to the leaves results in a lesser dye quality, and the second they are harvested they begin to wilt. It’s an absolute race against the clock to get the plants from the field into the giant blue bins where processing begins.

From there, over a thousand liters of water is added to the 100kg of leaf cuttings, and a microbe is added to the steeping water to begin breaking down the leaves. On cold days in the winter, this process can take anywhere from two to four days, but during the summer, it can be vastly accelerated. Since this process is as much art as science, the texture of the leaves must be constantly monitored to ensure they don’t become too mushy. For this reason, when Kakazu-san was first starting out, he would stay in a tent on the fields three days a week to ensure the precious pigment would not be wasted.

Once the leaves are broken down, they are removed from the mixture, and powdered limestone is added to the liquid left behind. This causes fermentation to take place and makes the mixture bubble and froth over the course of a day. The mixture is then moved to another bin where more microorganisms are added to soak for an additional day. Finally, after days of work, the mixture is ready to be strained and filtered. The water is flushed out, and all that remains is approximately 10kg of the perfect pigment in the form of a paste with a clay like consistency.

Once the pigment is collected, it is transported to Ryukyu Indigo Lab, located in the Okinawa Craft Industry Promotion Center, where it is combined with an alkaliphile (a microbe that likes a high pH), a starch syrup and awamori made from Thai rice) to make the dye. The dye spends approximately three months in giant tanks where the fermenting process is constantly monitored and the fabrics are added.

When initially dipped in the dye, the fabrics come out with a greenish hue, which transforms to blue as the fabric meets air, oxidizing the dye as it dries. The process of dipping, soaking and drying the garments is often repeated up to ten times in different tanks to achieve the perfect hue. The tanks are monitored after each soaking process to be sure the sensitive balance of the mixture is still correct before more objects are dyed.

THE LEQUIO FASHION LINES

The dye created by Ryukyu Indigo Lab is a feature of all the different designs that come out of the Lequio brand. All pieces of each line are designed, patterned and hand-sewn by five designers who make up the entirety of his team.

Ocean Breeze is a line for ladies described as “luxury resort wear with a casual spin.” Colored with Ryukyu Indigo, and heavily influenced by Okinawa’s balmy climate, this line is designed for comfort and style whether on a beach or in a fancy hotel. The pieces are ethereal and elegant—like wearing the sea-breeze as a fabric. Every March, 20 new designs in six different hues are released by Lequio. These pieces are sold both on Okinawa and in the largest department stores on mainland Japan.

The name Made in Occupied Japan, is taken from the customs stamp required by the United States for imports from Japan from 1945 to 1952. This collection is meant to honor Okinawa’s past while presenting hope for peace and harmony in the future. The line consists of two parts, the men’s fashion line, where clothing from local military surplus stores is dyed and repurposed along with T-shirts with photographs of historical military influences on island, and the bags and hats made from military equipment such as tents and parachutes that are broken down, and painstakingly stitched together to create beautiful pieces that are sturdy and waterproof.

The process of creating the bags is time intensive, with one bag taking up to three days of work to create, as the raw materials must be scrubbed and cleaned, before being cut into different patterns, and then sewn back together. No pieces of the original materials are wasted, so the cutting process is intricate and complicated, resulting in an incredible finished product.

It is safe to say that with the help of his incredible team of artisans, Kakazu-san’s vision of a design without compromise, Lequio, honors the legacy of Okinawa’s past and present. Lequio’s pieces are beautiful and powerful works of art that one can wear. If you are interested in visiting the Ryukyu Indigo Lab or purchasing one of the Lequio products, you can check out their website at lequio-r.com or their store located at 2 Chome-28-23 Kiyuna, Ginowan, Okinawa 901-2222, Japan. 

Okinawan-Style Seafood Salad

Serves Four

Ingredients

50 ounces of umibudō (sea grapes)

5 lettuce leaves, torn into bite-size pieces

1 cabbage leaf, shredded small bundle of kaiware daikon (daikon radish sprouts)

3 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1/2 cucumber, shredded

4 small cooked shrimp, diced

2 cooked scallops, diced

Dressing

4 tbsp. white wine vinegar

4 tbsp. olive oil

2 tsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. lemon juice

Pinches of salt, pepper and crushed red pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Combine dressing ingredients and chill.

2. Soak umibudō in a bowl of water for about 3 minutes to wash away the salty taste.

3. Rinse umibudō in ice-cold water and allow to dry.

4. Mix vegetables and umibudō in a shallow bowl.

5. Arrange diced shrimp and scallops on top of salad greens.

6. Pour dressing over salad.

7. Serve with slices of lemon or lime, if desired.

Mejiro: The Tiny Japanese Herald of Spring

While strolling under the cherry blossoms this spring, did you notice the beautiful chirping sounds that made you feel that spring had truly arrived? It was most likely the tiny Japanese herald of spring known as the mejiro

The mejiro, also known as the Japanese white-eye, (me means “eye” and jiro is a derivative of shiro which means “white”) is a tiny bird—only about four to four and a half inches tall. Although it has an olive or dusky green coat of feathers, the white-eye is named for the silky white ring of feathers around its eyes that stand out starkly on its cute-as-a-button face. The mejiro’s underside, neck and forehead are a brilliant yellow.

The mejiro’s small stature and blazingly fast movement make them difficult to spot, but listen closely and they can be found. Their melodic bell-like chirps can be heard at great distances—especially in the springtime.

Despite their flighty and energetic nature, mejiro are very sociable—travelling in flocks of 5 to 20 tiny, feathered bolts of green lightning. Feisty in nature, mejiro have been observed teaming up with each other and even other species to scare off larger birds of prey.

Once spotted, mejiro are fun to watch as they acrobatically hang upside-down (or sideways) when making a meal of insects or fruit

nectar. They consume large quantities of bothersome insects such as gnats, fly larvae and spiders, and they are also good pollinators, darting from tree to shrub in search of a sweet treat, like cherry blossoms in bloom.

One word of caution when bird watching: be careful when standing underneath them—for obvious reasons. 

BRUNCH WITH BUNNY

TENGAN CASTLE | CAMP COURTNEY

9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Adults $21.95

Children (5–11) $10.95

Children (Under 5) FREE Reservations required through Eventbrite.

BUTLER OFFICERS’ CLUB | PLAZA HOUSING

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Adults $21.95

Children (5–11) $10.95

Children (Under 5) FREE Reservations required through Eventbrite.

SURFSIDE | CAMP KINSER

9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Adults $20.95

Children (5–11) $10.95

Children (Under 5) FREE Reservations required through Eventbrite.

9th

BREAKFAST BUFFET

HABU PIT | MCAS FUTENMA

10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Adults $9.95

Children (5–11) $4.95

Children (Under 5) FREE Reservations highly recommended. 636-3081

À LA CARTE

TAIYO STEAKHOUSE | TAIYO GC 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Enjoy an à la carte brunch menu. Seating will be available on the balcony, weather permitting. Reservations highly recommended. 622-2020