Okinawa Living Magazine March 2024

contents March 2024

56

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

What’s the Buzz?

Take flight and learn the buzz about local bees, beekeeping and the fruits of their labor—sweet, sweet honey!

56

Blue Zone Living

For many years, Okinawa was considered a “blue zone” where people statistically lead longer, happier and healthier lives. Learn how you, too, can take advantage of the local cuisine and island lifestyle to live like a local.

restaurant review

42

Saturn Kitchen

Head to Yomitan to enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine that is “out of this world”—and has the perfect eclectic “galactic” décor to accentuate your culinary journey.

fitness + fun

27

Okinawa’s Strongest

It’s once again time to crown the king and queen of strength and endurance at Okinawa’s Strongest—do you have what it takes for this challenge?

27

Swim + Run? Challenge Accepted!

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.

31

A Fable of Strikes and Spares

It’s time to decide who really is the Baron of Bowling, the Sultan of Strikes, the Admiral of the Alley or the Lady of the Lanes at the Foster Open Bowling Tournament!

marines + families

33

Retrain Your Brain

Build a better you from the inside out with Retrain Your Brain—a 4-week class that covers topics including Interpersonal Effectiveness, Assertive Communication, Stress Management and Empathic Listening.

35

Gear up for an Adventurous Summer! Spring is the perfect time to sign up for those much-needed swim lessons. Whether it’s for your little one or for yourself, MCCS Aquatics has classes for all.

dining + entertainment

39

St. Patrick’s Day at the Clubs

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

41

Easter at the Clubs

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.

kids + parents

45

Underwater Eggstravaganza Hunt

Once again, the Easter Bunny has donned its Speedos and swimming goggles in preparation for the annual Underwater Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt!

45

The Building Blocks of Life

Join the Camp Foster Library as they celebrate the world’s most popular building blocks with a no-holds-barred LEGO build-off!

services

49

Say Goodbye to Squeals and Hello to Deals!

Brakes…they’re pretty important for a car. Have yours checked and save some green (as in dollars) during Typhoon Motors March Sales.

51

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.” 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?

extras

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MARCH 2024 | ISSUE 313

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 DIRECTOR

Emily Wright

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Alora Wilson, Meghan Johnson, James Rieth

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Thomas Alan Smilie

PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS

Mia Cox, Kirstin Spanu

EDITORIAL

Swetha Gogue, Laura C. Pita

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA

Tiara Supakit, Claire Wilkinson, Lauren Thobe

CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Ayako Kawamitsu

ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

John Dailey

ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP

Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa

Ada Tovar, Tsutomu McCoy, Aimee Taira

MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Andrew Menges

MARKETING ACCOUNTS

Eduardo Sanchez Perry, Amber A. Padilla

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/advertise

MCCS MARKETING BRANCH

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

mensôre

“Welcome” to Okinawa Living

Busy as a Bee!

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, bleak fields become covered with colorful, lush clover and tiny springtime flowers, and bees can be heard happily buzzing about their business. 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 and soccer teams camped on the island 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 and gathering the family for an Easter buffet 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—just watch out for those bees!

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! 

feedback from the ICE Program and Facebook

I visited the Bulldogs Burgers on Camp Courtney in late January, and I was greeted and helped by a cashier named Aki Kyle Skinner. Because I live on Camp Courtney, I often frequent this location and ALWAYS have an exceptional experience when being helped by Kyle. Every time I visit and see that he is working, I know I’ll have a great experience because the service he provides is awesome. He is extremely kind, detail-oriented and efficient. Five out of five stars for Kyle!

—via ICE

I just wanted to give some positive feedback for the cheer-down event held February 11 at Foster Fieldhouse. [Semper Fit ] Youth Sports did such an amazing job with this event; it was so well-run and both participants and attendees had the best time. Job well done, Youth Sports!

—via ICE

Thank you to Ms. Mallory King and Mr. Bejamin Batenhorst for their thorough tour of The Palms club as we discussed potentially hosting the Kadena High School graduation in the facility. We met for several hours to discuss the seating options, catering options and possible floorplans in the ballroom to host 1,000 guests. They were willing to help us move chairs to visualize seating and showed us other options in the building to hold guests as they arrived. The facility is wellkept, modern and probably the most elegant of all MCCS facilities on-island. As we asked questions and shared ideas, each one was met with openness. We could tell right away that they were interested in making the location work for us. We sincerely wish we could have the graduation in the Palms but unfortunately, looking at our numbers, we will exceed the facility’s capacity. It’s truly a remarkable location and the staff are amazing too!

—via ICE

Mr. [Nghia] An has been really helpful in mentoring me on what is needed for the TRS (Transition Readiness Seminar) and has gone out of his way to coach me and another Marine through several prerequisites for initial counselling, as well as ideas on what to do in terms of schooling, skillbridge and opportunities in the reserves. Coming from a “grunt unit,” it was great to be helped by someone that was 100% committed to ensuring that Marines have all the information they need to transition the right way, compared to what I’ve seen in my prior unit.

—via ICE

This place [the MCAS Futenma Library] is awesome; I wish more people knew about it.

—via ICE

Jason Kemler, who works at Camp Courtney Typhoon Motors, took care of my needs immediately and with care despite being the only one taking care of *all customers* in the shop on January 3. He got me in and out immediately with outstanding customer service. Thank you, Jay— you’re the best!

—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.

Show us your island adventures and favorite food finds! @okilivingmag

@delightfulshotsphotography

@fara_dominguez

Domo

For newcomers to the island, one great excursion to start their 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, where coral is grown and later transplanted back to the ocean. Visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/tours for upcoming dates and times and call 6463502 for more info.

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 you ask? 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 can be easily spotted—and are an adorable delight to behold.

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

Diving into the waters around Okinawa in March still requires a wetsuit, so why not enjoy the wonders of the ocean in your street clothes at Ocean Expo Park and the 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 the fascinating history of sea travel in the Oceanic Cultural Museum (which also houses a planetarium) and dine at the onsite restaurants.

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

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. 

pringtime on Okinawa is initially marked by the arrival of bright pink cherry blossoms after months of (usually) cold and dreary winter weather. With the arrival of March, spring is in full-effect and every corner of the island is blooming. Whether you’re still sakura hunting in southern Okinawa, walking through a maze of azaleas in Higashi Village, or frolicking in a field of purple iris in Ogimi Village, you will always be accompanied by the buzzing of bees hard at work.

These small but mighty insects carry a massive weight on their nonexistent shoulders. You see, they are one of the most essential species on earth because they play a crucial role in pollination, an essential part of plant reproduction. Most of our food—think fruits, vegetables, chocolate, coffee, nuts and spices—come from flowering plants. And somewhere between 75% to 95% of the flowering plants on earth depend on pollinators to reproduce. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a third of the world’s food production depends on bees.

Worker bees—the smallest females that lack the reproductive capacity of the queen bees—are tasked with keeping the hive running smoothly. A typical worker bee shift includes about 30 trips within a two-mile radius of the hive, and in one trip they will visit 50 to

200 flowers. Believe it or tion is an unintentional result of these busy bees’ travels.

Did you know bees also provide us with medicine? The honey they work hard to produce is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times. Research has shown that it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The antioxidants are attributed to many of honey’s health benefits and studies have been shown it can decrease the risk of heart disease. For thousands of years this food of the gods has also been used topically to ease burns and improve wound healing. This viscous syrup is also a cough suppressant and a great alternative to over-the-counter medication. It is especially great for children, although doctors do not recommend it for children less than a year old.

One of the most popular traditional home remedies in Japan is honey daikon—considered a perfect pairing due to the natural antibacterial properties of both ingredients—which helps prevent colds, soothe sore throats and suppress coughs. Simply cut an organic daikon radish into small pieces (leave skin on), place in a jar and pour honey over them, then let marinate in refrigerator or a few hours to overnight. Drink the honey as is or mix it in with hot or cold water, it’s up to you!

Koza City, located just outside Kadena Air Base, is the birthplace of beekeeping on Okinawa. In the 1970s—before Koza and Misato City combined into what is now Okinawa City—then-mayor Chojo Oyama visited a bee farm on a business trip to mainland Japan. He believed bees would adapt well to the balmy conditions of Okinawa while also providing employment to the Okinawan people, so he recommended bee farming be gin in Koza City. Morinobu Kohama, a salaryman at the city office, followed his advice and re signed from his job to start his own business.

It was not the easiest begin ning. Okinawa hadn’t reverted to Japan yet, so obtaining bees from mainland was difficult— but it was worth it! Kohama man aged to bring in 30 colonies and the bees thrived, with a little help from

the U.S. military. Mayor Oyama asked the Americans to help the bees transition and develop in Okinawa. The then base commander on Kadena AB ordered over 200 pounds of clover from the United States and planted fields of it around the base. So, the next time the white clovers bloom, remember this story and the surprising partnership that helped the Koza bees flourish.

Almost 55 years later the business is still thriving. Kohama-no-Hachimitsu has the largest bee enterprise in the prefecture with 1,400 bee colonies divided between two locations in Nago and Kitanakagusuku. Besides honey, they also produce royal jelly, propolis, bee larvae and bees for pollination.

Sadly, bees and other pollinators have been increasingly under threat as a result of human activities. Bee populations have been declining globally in recent decades due to habitat loss, diseases and parasites, changes in weather patterns and the excessive use of pesticides. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the sudden death or disappearance of entire bee colonies and it swept through the United States, Europe and Asia back in the early 2000s. Japan experienced its first loss of honeybees in 2009—about 25% of all beekeepers registered with the Japanese Beekeeping Association reported their colonies being affected. Thankfully the bees on Okinawa have been spared and that can be attributed to the swift action

of Misako Kohama, president of Kohama no Hachimitsu, back in 2010.

Okinawa Prefecture had been dealing with the invasion of matsu kuimushi (pine weevils) that had damaged and endangered the Ryukyu Matsu (Ryukyu Pine, the prefectural tree). The prefecture had decided to take action against the invasive bug by spraying aerial pesticides, but Kohama led protests alongside other beekeepers and farmers against the use of pesticides. Through the use of local media, she was able to convince the government that it wasn’t worth risking the honeybee population and to instead cut the infected trees. Fortunately, Okinawa’s bees have remained untouched by CCD!

Now that we know the bee basics—they’re important pollinators that work hard to keep us and the planet healthy, they produce a sticky natural sweetener from plant nectar that goes with just about eveything, they should be protected at all costs and they’ll always accompany you during your visit to the Okinawa flower fields—we can move on to the good stuff, the treats! Although you can find a variety of honey products at grocery stores both on and off base, farmers’ markets and Japan Agriculture (JA) stores, there are a few places on island dedicated entirely to this liquid gold.

headquarters is located on Rt 26 in Okinawa City, right next to Camp Shields. All of their collected honey is warmed up slightly, filtered and bottled on site. It is available pure or with a variety of fruit extracts like blueberry, shīquāsā (hirami lemon) or pomegranate, each one imbuing the honey with extra health benefits. Combinations of royal jelly (secretion made by worker bees to feed the queen bee) or propolis (resin collected by bees from trees) are also available.

Moritsune Kohama, current president and son of Morinobu Kohama, shared with us that his favorite part of the job has been experimenting with adding honey to other food prod ucts. Sample their latest creation—Koza Honey—a delectable Okinawan honey cookie sandwich that will have you audibly enthused and grabbing for more. Save some room for their vanilla soft serve ice cream with Okinawan honey mixed in. Not enough honey for you? Add an extra drizzle as topping, opt for chocolate or do both if you can’t decide! is a little

shop and cafe nestled along the Onna Sunset Coast Road. Owner Takashi Ikemiya has been a beekeeper for 27 years and is a one-man operation managing his small bee farm in Onna Village, the store, maintaining other people’s hives and teaching at Okinawa Institute of Tech nology (OIST) up the road. Ikemiya-san shared with us that the Onna Village Office has been working in collaboration with OIST to prevent red soil run-off by strategically planting flow ers in fields—but they couldn’t let all that nectar and pollen go to waste—so naturally they have added bee colonies to the mix. This quaint store can easily be spotted by its bright blue ombre exterior. Stop by for a little treat on your way up the coast. All café menu items including their coffee, tea, lemonade, soft serve ice cream, affogato and toast, contain honey! He also sells his raw honey, as well as a variety of imported honeys from New Zealand. Keep in mind that his operation is smaller and some products are

has been in the honey business for over 50 years and their charming shop is located on Rt 58 in Yomitan Village. They sell locally harvested honey from their bee hives (divided between two locations in Yomitan and Izena Island), imported manuka honey from New Zealand, flavored honey from around the world and more. Can’t decide between the many options of Okinawan honey? Don’t fret as they have honey on tap! Try blueberry, acacia, wildflower, royal jelly & propolis combination, royal jelly and 100% Okinawan honey. Not only are they a honey store—they’re also an ice cream shop! Pick between vanilla, chocolate, matcha, shīquāsā, beniimo and mint chocolate chip flavors. Top it off with regular, blueberry or manuka honey, bee pollen, chocolate sauce or nuts. We recommend treating yourself to the gooey chewy honeycomb topping—you won’t regret it! Enjoy your ice cream on their covered terrace and wash down it down with some complimentary honey tea.

We owe so much to these fluffy golden gals, so let’s do our part to protect them. Stay away from garden pesticides and instead find natural alternatives, put together a bee-friendly flower garden and set up a shallow bee pond, take a break from mowing your lawn to allow dandelions and white clovers to bloom, support local beekeepers by purchasing their honey products, educate your children on the importance of pollinators and, if possible, donate to organizations championing to #savethebees ! 

Okinawa’s Strongest

A True Spectacle of Strength

Attention musclebound folk and avid gym-goers alike! Please pause your next set; we’re interrupting your regularly scheduled workout to invite you to the truest spectacle of strength. This is an event where dedicated fitness individuals from all walks of life—those who spend hours lifting astonishing amounts of weight, set after set, with the goal of improving their overall flexibility, endurance and strength—can showcase their arduous efforts and fruits of their labor. It’s once again time to crown Okinawa’s Strongest!

Okinawa’s Strongest, which will be held on Saturday, April 6 starting at 8:30 a.m. on MCAS Futenma’s athletic fields, will feature the strongest of the strong on island. Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each weight category. Strength contests often

revolve around a few fundamental movement patterns such as pushing, pulling and carrying, so participants will compete in a variety of events—including the log clean and press, Atlas stone, yoke carry, deadlift, sled pull, wheelbarrow, farmer’s carry and tire flip. It’s sure to be a feat of strength event that you won’t want to miss!

Interested in staking your claim to the title of “strongest on island?” Registration will be accepted online at okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/adultsports until 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 for $50. If you have any questions, or would like some more information about Okinawa’s Strongest, please email adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or call 636-2672. 

Swim + Run?

Challenge Accepted!

Looking to test your stamina? We’ve got just the event for you!

On March 30, Camp Schwab will be hosting their annual Warrior Challenge—consisting of a rigorous 5K run through obstacles that will test your endurance, durability and determination. But that’s not all—it also concludes with a 400-meter swim! This type of multistage competition is also called a “swimrun,” which as the name states, involves both running and swimming. Think sprint triathlon without the bikes BUT with obstacles thrown in!

Believe it or not this crazy challenge began as a drunken bet between friends. In 2002, while sitting at a bar in the small island of Üto, Sweden, four men challenged each other to race across the Stockholm archipelago—losers paid for hotel, dinner and drinks

after reaching the finish line. The challenge? Run and swim through a 75km (47-mile) course across 26 islands. They set up two teams of two and the next morning they hit the ground (and water) running. In 2006 they were asked to make a commercial race out of this crazy idea and the rest is sports history!

The Schwab Warrior Challenge is open to SOFA ID card holders island wide ages 15 and up. If you’re up for the challenge, register via Eventbrite by March 27 at 11:30 p.m. for $50 (fee includes an event t-shirt). Awards will be given to those finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in gender categories. The race begins at 10 a.m. at the Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center. For more information, call 625-2654 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Northern CC Cup Basketball Tournament

Compete for the Pride of your Unit!

The combined Commanding General’s (CG) and Camp Commander’s (CC) Cup programs are aimed at providing an opportunity for Marines and Sailors to participate in all types of sports and competitive activities to enhance both morale and fitness— this includes basketball!

If you’re an active-duty Marine or Sailor stationed on Camps Schwab, Hansen or Courtney and are into basketball, rejoice! Show off your best crossovers, step-back threes, tomahawk dunks and chase-down blocks at the Northern CC Cup Basketball Tournament. The action will take place at Camp Hansen’s House of Pain Fitness Center on March 16 and 17. The registration deadline for the Northern CC Cup Basketball Tournament is March 11 at 1 p.m. Awards, along with bragging rights for you and your crew, will be given to the 1st and 2nd place teams.

By the way, did we mention that CC/CG Cup events are absolutely FREE? What are you waiting for? Sign up your crew today! For more information on this event, or to register for the Northern CC Cup Basketball Tournament, visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/adultsports. 

Futenma Open Tennis Tournament

Serve Up an Ace!

Tennis, born in France from Jeu de Paume, a 12th century ball-and-court game, was once played with bare hands (rightfully so, as the French phrase “jeu de paume” translates to “game of palm” in English). Before rackets served soft bouncy yellow nylon and wool balls in a distinguished court laid out with structured lines, players used gloves and paddle-like bats to maneuver the balls to their opponents across all types of venues including gardens, streets and courts. The sport has come a long way since then—fast-forward to 2024, and there are an estimated 23.6 million that play tennis in the U.S. alone!

Interested in joining in the fun? Then mark your calendar on March 23 and 24 for the Futenma Open Tennis Tournament taking place on MCAS Futenma. Play against other tennis enthusiasts from all over the island, as this event is open island-wide to everyone ages 16 and older. Enjoy friendly competition while using your best backhand, drop shots, volleys and more to achieve victory! Awards will be given out to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place competitors.

This event is $20 per person. Register via Eventbrite by Sunday, March 17 at 9 a.m. For more information on this tournament, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit or call 636-2672. 

Fit Camp

The Fitness Program for You

What are you looking for in your fitness program? If upping your cardiovascular endurance, boosting muscular strength and improving flexibility all come to mind, Fit Camp is for you. In addition to these physical accomplishments, you’ll find accountability, encouragement and fitness guidance benefits, too. How so?

By joining Fit Camp, you’ll be participating in a small-group, six-week fitness program led by a personal trainer. Surrounded by other like-minded and motivated individuals, Fit Campers hold each other accountable and provide encouragement and support while everyone gains confidence and strength. The program features continuous progress monitoring, so by the end of week #6, you’ll have a great grasp of the strides you’ve made and knowledge of how to keep

moving forward with your fitness journey after the camp is complete.

Fit Camp is a fee-based program, offered year-round with enrollment available every few months. The next Fit Camp sessions will be held from March 11 to April 26 (which includes Spring Break as an off week March 25–29). Days, times and locations vary and are based on instructor schedules. Fit Camp is open to SOFA ID card holders ages 18 and older. To sign up, visit the front desk of the MCCS Fitness Center where you’d like to attend. Registration for the next session will be open until March 6.

For more information about Fit Camp, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion or follow facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. For more information, please call 645-3910 (DSN) or 098-970-3910 from off base. 

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 or the Lady 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 17 at 9 a.m. at the vaunted lanes of the Foster Bowling Center, this event is open to 4-person teams island wide made up of members 16 years of age and older. The entry fee is $125 per team and registration will be

accepted until March 11 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 more 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 

All units are fit according to PT standards, but if you want to push your unit’s performance to the next level, the HITT Small Unit Leaders (SUL) Course is for you. Open to active-duty Marines and Sailors E4 and above, this course equips you with the knowledge to improve your unit’s overall performance and tactical readiness. The next 5-day course runs March 18–22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the MCAS Futenma Fitness Center HITT Facility. Due to its time-intensive nature, this program qualifies as a temporary place of duty and requires command approval.

SUL participants should expect a mix of intellectual learning in addition to hands-on, physically demanding work, so come ready in your green-ongreen PT uniform with a notebook and pencil in hand. Those interested must complete Semper Fit Basic Fitness (MCI 4133A) and Semper Fit Advanced Fitness Course (MCI 4134A) prior to taking the SUL Course. To register for the course, email mccshealthpromotions@okinawa.usmcmccs.org or stop by the MCCS Health Promotion office before March 11.

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 blankets, comfort foods and snug slippers for flip-flops and 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, 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. semperfit or their website okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion

In addition to those resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture also offers some great tools including the “MyPlate Plan” found at myplate. gov/myplate-plan, which will walk you through how much of each food group you should be eating per day, based on your age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level. If you’re a parent looking to help your children build lifelong healthy eating habits, 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 your kids. Remember, it doesn’t take much to eat right bite by bite—small goals and changes can have a big impact 

Retrain Your Brain

Build a Better You!

Being an adult is hard and can be so overwhelming because there are so many responsibilities and expectations placed on us. Not only do we have to take care of ourselves, but if we have a partner, we also have them to consider. If we have little ones, then there’s the added anxiety of taking care of other human beings that rely solely on us. Let’s not forget the pressures we deal with at work and the countless aspects of life nobody prepared us for. Ultimately, we are all just trying our best—but there should always be space for improvement. Here’s your reminder that asking for help shows incredible strength, not weakness.

If you have been struggling with anger, communication and stress, this course may be for you. Re-Train Your Brain is a 4-week class taught by Prevention & Education specialists at Family Advocacy Program / Behavioral Health. They cover topics like Interpersonal Effectiveness, Assertive Communication, Stress Management and Empathic Listening. The goal is to learn how to deal with those feelings of anger, improve your communication skills in order to help you take care of your relationships, find balance and work on effective coping skills.

Re-Train Your Brain classes are open to all SOFA ID card holders island wide. Sessions are offered on Camp Foster on Mondays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and on Camp Hansen every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, and to register, email fapprevention@usmc.mil.

ODST Swim Meet

Let’s Go Dolphins!

Grab your swimsuit, cap and goggles! The days are warming up which means the Spring Swim Season is just getting started. Tryouts for the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) occurred last week and now it’s time for the first swim meets of the season. If swimming is your passion and you haven’t heard… ODST doesn’t just have a Youth Swim Team, they also have a Masters Swim Team for adults 18 and older. Practices are offered yearround! Best part? There are no required workouts or tryouts; they only recommend participants have the ability to swim 25 meters non-stop. Practices take place Monday-Thursday in the evenings and include 30 minutes of self-directed warm-up and 30 minutes of coach-directed workout.

This spring there will be FREE Swim Meets on March 23 and April 27 at the Camp Foster Aquatic Center open to everyone. Meets start at 8:05 a.m. (with warm-ups at 7 a.m.) and will run until all events are completed. Meets will be divided into several age groups, 8 & under, 9–10, 11 & Older and Open (all ages). Ribbons will be awarded to the top 8 finishers in the 10 and younger age groups and top 3 for all individual events. Entry is limited to three individual events. Middle school and high school swimmers have separate scoring and entry limits.

Registration is available via Eventbrite and closes 3 days prior to event at 11:59 pm. For more information, call 645-2787/098-9702787 or email mccsaquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

SPRING 2 Swim Lessons

Gear

up for an adventurous summer!

Spring is the perfect time to sign up for those much-needed swim lessons. Whether it’s for your little one or for yourself, MCCS Aquatics has classes for all. Gear up for an adventurous summer on Okinawa and have peace of mind on those upcoming beach and pool days. All swim lesson registrations are for eight 30-minute-long weekday classes, taken Monday–Thursday for two weeks.

Group Swimming Lessons hope to help swimmers become more comfortable and safer in an aquatic environment; they are divided by age and skill level. Parent and Child Classes for those with kids from 6-months-old to 3 years of age hope to teach swimming readiness skills and safety techniques to parents in order for them to guide their children better in the water. Preschool Classes with Levels 1–3 for

kids 4–6 years of age cover a range of skills from entering the pool using pool steps and blowing bubbles, to jumping in the water, fully submerging and holding their breath. Additionally, there are Level 1–5/6 classes for kids ages 5–15 that begin with water safety and end with distance swimming using a variety of strokes. Lastly, there are Adult and Active-Duty Swim Instruction classes to help participants with basic aquatic skills, water safety and improve proficiency in swimming strokes.

The Learn to Swim Spring Session will be from March 11 to 21. Register via Eventbrite, deadline is March 7 at 11:59 p.m. For Swim Level Chart, Level Placement and to learn more about the program, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/learntoswim. 

Camp Schwab Festival

Featuring Skillet Performing LIVE!

Head to Camp Schwab for music, food and fun as they host the annual Camp Schwab Festival Festival on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 from 1 to 9 p.m. both days. The festival will be held adjacent to the BeachHead Consolidated Club.

There will be plenty of FREE live entertainment, Fun Land for the kids and delicious foods including delectable offerings from MCCS. Hungry festivalgoers can enjoy USA staples such as burgers from Bulldogs, succulent BBQ beef brisket from Hickory House All-American BBQ, sizzling hot pizza, authentic street tacos from La Cocina, bowls of goodness from Chef Shack and all of your Miamiinspired favorites from 305 Latin Bistro. Patrons 20 years of age and older can enjoy refreshing adult beverages from Kanpai Lounge.

The entertainment lineup will feature dance, cultural performances, street performers and music in multiple genres—

including American rock band Skillet performing on Saturday, March 30 at 7 p.m. Skillet’s performance will be followed by fireworks at 8:15 p.m. Check out the car and motorcycle show on Sunday, March 31 while enjoying even more FREE live entertainment. Don’t forget to take a look at the military static display as well!

Admission to Schwab Festival is FREE; however, no one will be admitted with pets, outside alcohol, glass bottles, coolers or backpacks. DOD ID card holders may enter through Gate 1, while non-SOFA attendees may enter through Gate 5 (photo ID required). A courtesy shuttle bus service will be provided for guests entering through Gate 5. As always, MCCS encourages everyone to drink responsibly, don’t drink and drive. Daiko and taxi services will be available.

For more information on Schwab Festival, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/festivals or call 098-970-5828. 

St. Patrick’s Day at the Clubs

Don Your Brightest Green Apparel

Every year on March 17, many Americans don green in honor of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. What most don’t know is that there are a lot of misconceptions about this holiday. The parades, the color green, the shamrock, leprechauns, rainbows, the pot of gold (and let’s not forget that pint of Guinness) are not original to the holiday. They’re all products of American enthusiasm. What can we say—we love a good theme (and excuse) to celebrate, so this religious holiday has shifted over time to a celebration of Irish culture.

Originally a Catholic holiday as it fell in the middle of Lent, families would go to church in the mornings and celebrate in the afternoons with feasts of traditional Irish meals, when Lenten prohibitions were lifted. March 17 is believed to have been the day St. Patrick passed on. The more you know!

So leave the faded green on green at home and instead don your brightest green pieces for your night at MCCS Clubs! Celebrations with FREE finger foods or hors d’oeuvres will be offered in honor of St. Patty at the Enlisted, SNCO and Officers’ Lounges at Surfside on Camp Kinser, Habu Pit and Thirsty’s on MCAS Futenma, Chesty’s and Globe & Anchor inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster as well as Legends O/SNCO and Bayview on Camp Courtney. The Palms on Camp Hansen and BeachHead on Camp Schwab will offer FREE themed food and snacks during the festivities! For more information on each event, visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/clubs. 

Jazz Night Cruise

The Perfect Date Night Activity

Spending quality time with our significant others should be high on everyone’s list of priorities, but—we get it—all couples go through periods where priorities shift and things like date nights are placed on the backburner. This is especially true during the early years of parenting where, for some, it becomes a period of day-to-day survival. It’s also easy to get swallowed up by our busy schedules, which force us into tedious routines that can make us feel stuck.

Planning a date night can mean weeks of arranging schedules, booking sitters and hoping last-minute work developments don’t get in the way. There’s no need to place extra pressure on yourselves to make this a regular occurrence, but it’s important to celebrate those special occasions with the ones we

chose to spend our lives with. Date nights are an opportunity to break away from that normal routine, to dress up, have uninterrupted conversations, and enjoy a peacefully warm meal. It’s okay if the conversation strays back to the kids—we all do it.

If you’re looking for a romantic way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion (or if you just want to get away by yourself) look no further. MCCS Tours+ is hosting a Jazz Night Cruise on March 16 from 7:15 to 11:15 p.m. Enjoy the famous songs of yesteryear revived by the Super Horn Cars band—a top-class Okinawan jazz band—as you cruise around Naha. The tour is $66 and includes an all-you-can-drink and all-you-caneat buffet. Register via Eventbrite by March 14, limited to participants 20 years or older. 

La Cocina on Camp Kinser…

…Featuring an Expanded Menu!

Did you know that La Cocina, MCCS’ popular food truck, now features a brick-andmortar location at Surfside on Camp Kinser? This new location features the same authentic Mexican street food menu you know and love—including delicious tacos and burritos—as well as new additions including quesadillas, loaded nachos, salads and more.

For their tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos, diners can choose between succulent braised pork carnitas, lean grilled chicken or juicy char-grilled steak. Street tacos are topped with onions, fresh cilantro and a choice of salsa verde or roja. Burritos are stuffed with cilantro rice, borracho beans, pico de gallo, cheese, fresh cilantro and a choice of salsa verde or roja.

Extra toppings such as jalapeños, salsa, guacamole and sour cream will be available to complete your meal and various sides are also available à la carte.

Have a big appetite? Make your meal a combo and get a side of rice and beans or chips and salsa, plus a drink to help you wash it all down.

For the complete expanded menu, as well as Kinser La Cocina’s hours of operation, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/lacocina.

The La Cocina food truck will still be operational and continue to visit Marine Corps installations island wide. For more information on the La Cocina food truck—including its availability to support command, unit or other special events—email mccsfoodtrucks@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Easter at the Clubs

Egg-cellent Holiday Meals

Level up your Sunday Best with some springtime pastels and be the best dressed at Easter brunch on Sunday, March 31. MCCS Clubs and Restaurants are pulling out all the stops to make sure you have a meal worthy of that fit. Whether you and the kiddos need to fuel up before the big egg hunt or you're looking for the perfect place to gather and break bread with friends, MCCS has got your back at locations island wide.

And if that perfect place you're seeking must include a special furry, long-eared guest in attendance, then look no further. The Easter Bunny will be hopping around Surfside on Camp Kinser (9 a.m.–2 p.m.), Butler Officers’ Club on Plaza Housing (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) and Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney (9 a.m.–2 p.m.). There will be photo opportunities and holiday treats! Brunch buffet is $21.95 for adults, $10.95 for children (5–11) and FREE for children under 5. Reservations are required via Eventbrite.

Those who prefer a breakfast buffet can enjoy their favorite morning fix at Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The breakfast buffet is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children (5–11) and FREE for children under 5. Call 6363081 to make your reservations.

If you would like to dine al fresco (weather permitting) Taiyo Steakhouse has got you! They will be serving an à la carte brunch menu from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; to secure your spot on the balcony call 622-2020. Reservations are highly recommended. For more information on these events, as well as more on MCCS dining facilities, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Saturn Kitchen

Noodle dishes that are out of this world.

195-8

Hours of Operation

Thursday-Monday 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Closed:

Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Phone Number 098-923-0036

Up a winding one-lane road that leads to the ruins of Zakimi Castle in Yomitan Village lies Saturn Kitchen, a charming Mandarin restaurant nestled in between a traditional Okinawan home preserved by residents of the area and a residential home; a bright green vending machine stands guard up front.

A wind chime on the door announces your arrival, a galactic welcome mat and a blue astronaut holding a balloon greet you; the space theme begins to take shape. Wood accents throughout the restaurant and the vaulted ceiling give a cozy, almost cabin-like feel that complements the traditional Okinawan-tiled roof on the other side of the windows, setting the scene for the comfort food you’re about to enjoy.

Owner and chef Zhang Qiang hails from Beijing and one of the things he noticed during his first two years living on Okinawa was the lack of authentic Chinese restaurants. His passion for food grew while traveling around China for work and last year he decided to take the leap into the restaurant business with the hopes of bringing his taste of home to Okinawa. Saturn Kitchen’s cuisine is inspired by different places around China, adapted to accommodate local tastes by switching out traditional hot spices for milder ones and using local ingredients, while still keeping the food as authentic as possible. Another thing that makes them stand out is that their noodles are made from scratch and their desserts are all homemade using natural ingredients.

Curious where the name Saturn Kitchen came from? Qiang shared that he wanted a unique name that would make the restaurant stand out and, more importantly, be easy to remember. His childhood love of space also factored into the planetary name.

Now let’s talk food! The braised beef soup noodles are the star of the show and the chefrecommended menu item. This light and refreshing soup includes shredded carrots and cucumbers, freshly boiled noodles, melt-in-yourmouth beef, accompanied with or without a sprinkling of cilantro (your choice!) and topped off with beef broth. Sounds incredibly simple but trust us—the flavors are out of this world!

Qiang recalled a review from a local Japanese customer singing the praises of his beef soup

noodles and shared with us that along with his passion for cooking, his favorite part about owning a restaurant is seeing people’s faces when they taste the food he makes. We dare you to try a bite and not audibly “mmm” as you enjoy the tender cuts of beef.

You can’t go wrong with any of their starters, but the soup dumplings come in a set of three and make a delectable addition to your meal. Are you vegan or vegetarian? Their Chinese cucumber salad can be paired with their Saucing Noodles made with Okinawa kokuto (brown sugar) and Sichuan pepper; the spice level can be modified to your tastes.

Saturn Kitchen is constantly shaking up their seasonal menu offerings. The Uyghur-style Noodles dish is their winter mainstay. The same homemade noodles are topped with a hearty sauce made of beef, onions, tomatoes and green peppers tempered with simple-yet-flavorful spices that pull it all together. This month they are celebrating their one-year anniversary and introducing a Chinese take on a burger to their menu. A mixture of pork, bell peppers and spices will be served inside a bing—traditional Chinese bread—also made from scratch. There will be special gifts for customers that visit from March 23 to 25 to commemorate their anniversary!

Another unique item on their menu is the Sour Plum Drink. This popular Chinese tea is a centuries-old beverage known to be the ultimate thirst quencher, ideal for the Okinawa summer! Qiang uses a combination of fresh and dried Japanese plums to make this medicinal drink known to also help with digestion and increasing appetite.

What’s dinner out without dessert? Saturn Kitchen offers a creamy pannacotta made using a secret recipe (no gelatin or agar added) that embodies that signature Asian dessert trait of being “sweet, but not too sweet.” There are also homemade cookies in a variety of flavors, as well as the fanfavorite panda and shīsā shaped popsicles, made with fresh local fruits—the perfect representation of the two influences that you will find at Saturn Kitchen, China and Okinawa.

Saturn Kitchen offers take out, if you prefer to eat from the comfort of your own home! For updates and to make reservations visit their Instagram @saturn_kitchen_oki. 

Underwater Eggstravaganza Hunt

Egg Hunting with an Aquatic Twist

It is thought that the timeworn tradition of Easter-egg hunting originated in Germany around the 16th century. The “Easter Hare,” commonly known nowadays in the west as the “Easter Bunny,” carried a list of which children were naughty or nice (similar to Santa Claus) and dropped off eggs for the “good” kids. Nowadays, Easter is still synonymous with kids hunting eggs, finding different shades of colored dyed ones or plastic versions filled with candy around lawns, inside homes…and underwater?

Yes, you read that right; MCCS will once again be hosting their Underwater Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt at the Foster Aquatic Center

on March 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but hunters must be between the ages of 5–15 to participate. Cheer for your favorite egg-hunter as they gather eggs filled with goodies on both land and in the pool. Hunters should be sure to wear swimsuits and bring their goggles for better underwater visibility—who knows, they may even find the elusive prize eggs! Prizes will be awarded to the hunter of each age group that collects the most eggs. Each age group will compete at different times. No pre-registration is required but swim tests are required for children to be in the water without a parent. For more information, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/aquatics or call 645-2787/3180.

The Building Blocks of Life

LEGO Building Competition at the Foster Library

LEGO blocks…if you were lucky as a child, you had a boxful that gave you the god-like ability to create anything—from a giraffe or Jeep to a full-fledged Death Star and everything in between. If you were unlucky as a parent, you’ve probably stepped on an errant block during a midnight restroom expedition at least once.

Join the Camp Foster Library as they celebrate the world’s most popular building blocks with a no-holds-barred build-off on March 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. Compete as an individual or as a team or bring one of your best creations from home—the winners will have their builds on display inside the Foster Library for the rest of the month! For those not competing, there will be stations set up for everyone to enjoy LEGO-inspired activities.

Registrations will be accepted until March 18 in-person at the Foster Library or via phone or email. Interested? Call 645-7178, send an email to libraryprogram@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or visit the Foster Library today! 

Read Across America

Ready, Set…Read!

Reading is a pastime for many where the written word transforms into knowledge and vivid mental imagery. Reading is vital in our daily lives—for passing classes, doing our jobs and keeping up with the news. For many of us, literacy is crucial to all that we do. Reading is a skill specific to humans that stimulates the brain to develop growth in cognitive, linguistic and phonological awareness. Exposing ourselves to diverse reading materials is necessary in order for us to better understand the world around us.

Join MCCS Libraries as they participate in Read Across America story time to help families and children use available resources on Okinawa— their home away from home. Read Across America promotes and celebrates a nation of diverse readers while garnering a lifelong love for reading and building a community. Reading can be challenging, but with the help of libraries on Camps Foster, Kinser, Courtney and Hansen, it can become fun, exhilarating and rewarding as you feel seen, heard and leave confident and wealthier in knowledge.

Open to all SOFA ID card holders, patrons can join in on Read Across America by visiting Foster or Kinser Library on March 2 at 10:30 a.m., Courtney Library on March 4 at 11 a.m. and Hansen Library on March 28 at 5:30 p.m. Multiple services and programs are available to support you and your family. Registration is not required, and walk-ins are welcome! For more information on what library is best for you, email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs. org, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/libraries or call 645-6055. 

Play Mornings

Building Better Families, the Fun Way

In the bustling world of parenting, finding support and guidance can be invaluable. Luckily, the New Parent Support Program (NPSP) offers a welcoming haven for families with children under six—Play Mornings. This interactive playgroup isn’t just about play; it’s also designed to foster developmental growth while nurturing social connections.

Every week, parents and their little ones gather for a morning filled with purposeful play and learning. Led by seasoned home visitors, Play Mornings introduce parents to developmentally appropriate techniques aimed at enhancing their children’s social, cognitive, motor and language skills. From sensory exploration to group activities, the curriculum is thoughtfully structured to empower parents with practical tools and insights.

Beyond skill-building, Play Mornings are also a place where families can forge

meaningful connections with other families as they engage in sharing experiences and parenting tips. These connections often extend beyond the playgroup, blossoming into lasting friendships and support networks.

With its rotating array of activities, Play Mornings promise fresh experiences each session, ensuring both parents and children remain engaged and inspired. It’s not just an educational endeavor; it’s a journey of discovery and camaraderie.

Play Mornings take place in Bldg. 4408 on Camp Courtney every Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and are open to all branches, DoD civilians and their family members. Registration is required to attend. For more information and to register, call 645-0396. To learn more about Play Mornings or other NPSP offerings, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/npsp 

Say Goodbye to Squeals and Hello to Deals!

Typhoon Motors March Sales

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

Have you been waiting until you had a little bit of cash to spare before getting that super-scary squeak your brakes make when you stop checked out by a professional? Well, with the March Safety Special featuring 10% off all brake services and repairs happening all month long at Typhoon Motors locations on Camps Hansen, Courtney and Kinser,

you can say goodbye to that scary squeal and hello to peace of mind.

By the way, did you know that the highpitched squeaking sound that you hear is your brake pads trying to tell you something? They have a built-in mechanism to let you know that they’re getting worn (usually when they have around 10–15% of life left) and need replacing.

Speaking of sound, are you frustrated with an audio system that never allows you to jam out with maximum volume and clarity? Then March 25–31 is the perfect

time to head to Typhoon Motors on Camp Kinser because they will be offering a St. Patrick’s Day Car Audio Sale. This sale will feature 20% off all amplifiers so you can listen to U2, The Cranberries, The Pogues, Flogging Molly, Enya, The Chieftains (or T. Swift) as loud as your heart desires!

For more information on these sales and other Typhoon Motors offerings, visit them online at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ typhoonmotors 

Stay Informed

With the MCCS (e)Newsletter

Do you feel a bit behind the times? Are you often the last among your friends to hear about a festival or fun event? It might be because you haven’t subscribed to the MCCS Newsletter yet! MCCS offers hundreds of events per year, and with such a constant flow of dates, times and locations, it’s nice to have all of this event information organized in one convenient location so you can stay up to date.

Head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/newsletter and sign up to gain access to information on events and activities offered by MCCS Okinawa— from FREE workshops and classes, special sales and holiday events to

Beautiful Gifts

For Sharing the Island Life

updates about festivals, entertainment, sporting events and more.

MCCS Newsletter subscribers will also be eligible to enter special promotions to win giveaways, prizes, as well as special access to meet-and-greet passes to interact with visiting celebrities—including Grammy Award-winning musicians and rappers visiting Okinawa to entertain service members and their families at MCCS festivals.

For more information on the MCCS Newsletter, call 645-3970 or visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/newsletter. 

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 DM a few photos you snapped, but that will only leave them with a faint memory of your conversation and a tiny image on their phone. 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. Did any of the times you were out and about remind you of your mom and dad? Think about how happy they would be to see (and learn more about) your beautiful home-away-from-home. 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.

For more information on The Best of Okinawa Living and Omoide: Memories of Okinawa, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/publications. 

Term IV 2024

March 18 - May 19, 2024

Registration begins: Feb. 26, 2024

Term V 2024

May 28 - July 28, 2024

Registration begins: April 3, 2024

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

Contact the program coordinator nearest you for more info.

KADENA AB kadena@troy.edu · DSN 634-7464

MISAWA AB misawa@troy.edu · DSN 226-3748

OSAN AB osan@troy.edu

As a photographer, I always find myself wishing I had my camera at all times, which would allow me to capture countless moments of fleeting beauty to share with others. Sadly, many of these moments escape uncaptured, living only in my memory.

One of these “snapshot moments” that will forever remind me of Okinawa happened last summer as I was driving home from work in the evening. I was almost home after an exhausting day, cruising slowly down a small side road with sugarcane fields on both sides. As I made one of the final turns towards home, I saw two older men, perhaps in their 60s or 70s, sitting side-by-side on a ledge in front of a farm, calmly taking in the fiery orange and pink sunset, presumably after a long workday.

It was a perfect, quintessentially Okinawan scene. And I hope to always remember it for its simple beauty. Since that day, I have noticed more and more of my elderly neighbors going on their daily walks, gardening and farming, being generally active despite their old age.

This is quite typical for Okinawa, which was—until recently—considered a “blue zone” for many years.

Blue zones are known to have statistically higher numbers of centenarians; they are distinct areas of the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives in comparison to the world’s average. Although the increasingly popular “modern diet” full of processed foods and synthetic ingredients has ousted Okinawa from the small list of blue zones, the tenets of blue zone living— minding what you eat, finding a purpose and investing in relationships—can be applied by anyone.

One obvious key to living a long and healthy life has to do with what we consume. Contrary to more modern or Western diets, meals in blue zones tend to be composed mostly of whole foods—ingredients that are relatively close to their natural state—namely fruits and vegetables.

The traditional Okinawan diet—the one that helped put Okinawa on the blue zones list to begin with—is more than 90% plant-based. This includes sweet potatoes, beans, cabbage, other green and yellow vegetables, plus some fresh fruits and whole grains. Fish and meat are only a small portion of the diet, though they have their fair share of benefits as well. However, it is the sweet potato that makes up the majority of the traditional diet and is so highly regarded that there are shrines and statues dedicated to the precious imo (which is Japanese for "tuber" or edible roots).

For example, one sweet potato-related shrine in Kadena is dedicated to Noguni Sokan, who introduced the healthy carbohydrate to the Ryukyu Islands from China in 1605 to stave off famine amongst the popu lace. Other dedications can be found all around the is land. One of my favorites is the giant Okinawan sweet potato statue located outside the Yomitan JA Farmer’s Market. Given this root vegetable’s island-wide fame, it’s no wonder the locals adopted the greeting “ kamatooin?” or “Are you getting enough imo?”

Okinawan sweet potatoes, like health benefits according to the authors of the book Okinawa Diet Plan and the article "Nutritional Facts for Japanese Sweet Potatoes," which was reviewed by a registered dietitian with over a decade of experience. For one, they are full of antioxidants—the molecules responsible for countering the damaging free radicals that can harm our cells. Beni-imo also contains four times the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A; half the RDA of Vitamin C and manganese; Vitamin B6; copper, iron and potassium; and plenty of dietary fiber. Because of their sweet taste, imo are quite versatile and can be eaten baked, steamed, mashed and in both savory dishes and desserts.

Another unique and important food in the traditional Okinawan diet is You might have seen this long, gourd-like fruit with a rough, bumpy green exterior at grocery stores in the spring and summer. Although it has a strong, bitter taste, gōyā is rich in many of the vitamins and minerals needed in a healthy diet. This vegetable contains high

levels of Vitamin C, and has twice the potassium of a banana and twice the calcium in spinach. Gōyā improves heart health, strengthens liver enzymes and helps to regulate blood sugar. A popular Okinawan dish often containing the gourd is gōyā champuru—a type of stir-fry with tofu, egg and pork.

Besides eating a mostly plant-based diet—what

nent to a long and healthy life.

You may be asking yourself, “How the heck can I find my purpose in life?” The good news is that it simply takes a little self-reflection. First, ask yourself what you love. Next, ask yourself what you’re good at. Then, ask yourself what the world needs. And finally, ask yourself what you can be paid for. The answers to these questions can give a person a starting point to determine their purpose. For example, if you love sports, you could

fill the other categories. The amazing thing about finding your passion in life is that, according to blue zones experts, this could lead to upwards of seven years of additional life expectancy.

One important thing to keep in mind when it comes to your ikigai, and blue zone living in general, is maintaining an appropriate level of stress. Chronic stress, from work or other sources, can shorten a person’s lifespan, rather than extend it. In order to live a long and healthy life, be sure to take a moment or two each day to unwind and decompress.

The final tenet of blue zone living is all about relationships, especially with family, friends and your community.

Blue zones experts found that “successful centenarians in the blue zones put their families first.” They give their children ample attention and care, have a long-term partner and keep their aging parents in the home or nearby.

On Okinawa, aging family members are also celebrated. Upon reaching their 97th year of life, residents are honored in a celebration called Kajimayā—which means pinwheel—that commemorates their longevity. During special ceremonies, 97-year-olds are given pinwheels by their community, which represent the circle of life and a return to innocence and youthfulness.

Okinawans also treasure their friends and community. An example of this are their social support groups called moai, which translates to “meeting for a common purpose.” Originally, these groups started as a financial support system where community members pooled money together to help those in need. Today, many Okinawans meet for the common purpose of building friendship, sharing advice or simply enjoying life together.

A final common denominator amongst all blue zones is a sense of faith or belonging to a faith-based community. “Denomination doesn’t seem to matter,” explain blue zones experts. On the island, traditional Okinawan religion, or Ryūkyū Shintō, is distinguished through ancestor worship, and respecting relationships between the living and dead, gods and spirits in nature. While faith is subjective and a matter of personal

preference, “research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy,” according to blue zones experts.

The more I contemplate on what moved me about the older farmers watching the sunset last summer, the more I realize that I want a life where I can continue serving a purpose surrounded by friends, family and community. Kajimayā, here I come! 

Okinawan-Style Seafood Salad

Serves Two

Ingredients

50 ounces of umibudo (sea grapes)

5 lettuce leaves, torn into bite-size pieces

1 cabbage leaf, shredded

1/4 carrot, shredded

1/2 tomato, diced

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 cayenne pepper to taste

Method of Preparation

1. Combine dressing ingredients and chill.

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

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

4. Mix vegetables and umibudo 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.

Black Pearls

It is said that the chances of finding a naturally occurring black pearl of any quality in the wild are approximately 1 in 400,000. Because of this, the black pearl has always been considered a prized gem, equaled in its beauty only by its monetary value. Large specimens have adorned the crowns and jewelry of royalty since ancient times. Although known worldwide for their value, many don’t know that black pearls were first cultured, or successfully “grown” artificially, in Kabira Bay on the island of Ishigaki, located in the southern reaches of the Ryukyu Archipelago. During the early 1900s, multitudes of Japanese pearl-producing companies (including the world famous Mikimoto Pearl Company of mainland Japan) raced to be the first to perfect the process of growing the rarest of pearls in the warm, crystal-clear waters surrounding Okinawa. However, because of the extreme difficulties involved with the process (the failure rate was regularly 90% or more), as well as the onset of WWII, most ventures were unsuccessful. It wasn’t until 1963, after almost 50 years of disappointment and exorbitant expenditure, when a small locally owned business named the Ryukyu Pearl Company successfully produced the first cultured black pearls. The pearls were sent to New York (which was considered to be one of the leaders in the jewelry fashion world at the time) and exhibited in boutiques in 1968. As they

Uchinâguchi Corner

became more readily available, their notoriety spread quickly throughout the world and necklaces made with these black pearls became coveted by many. Cultured black pearls come in many different sizes and although their name may suggest they only come in one color—black—this is not the case. While all are certainly dark in color, some examples may have a bluish cast, others are tinged chocolate or russet, and some even have a metallic silvery hue. Today, black pearls can be purchased at most jewelry stores and in larger department stores located in Naha. Prospective buyers can also go straight to the source—and perhaps vacation—to one of the most beautiful bays in Japan. The black pearl farm of the Ryukyu Black Pearl Center is in Kabira Bay—a mainstay on the list of the 100 most beautiful spots in the country. 

Uchinâguchi Harusaa

Japanese Nouka

English Farmer

EGA Athletes Compete in Las Vegas

Gymnasts from MCCS Okinawa’s Excellence Gymnastics Academy (EGA) competed at the Lady Luck Invitational 2024 Gymnastics Competition held at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 12–14 this year bringing back medals and accolades as well as continuing to grow as athletes.

The EGA team last competed internationally at the 8th STY International Gymnastics Cup 2023 in the Philippines. EGA gymnasts competed in Levels 2-6 and brought home a medal in bronze and/or silver in each category, tallying up 14 medals combined.

This year in Las Vegas, Ersa Solano, a Level 6 gymnast, once again showed her mettle—placing 3rd all-around and taking 1st place in bars and floor exercise as well as 2nd in the balance beam. In addition, Level 3 gymnast Bria Goyings placed 4th all-around (taking 3rd in the floor exercise) and Level 4 gymnast Kinzley Goyings placed 5th all-around and took 3rd in the beam. All told, the three gymnasts accumulated 15 medals in the meet as the EGA team continues to grow and spread their wings.

“One important aspect of this trip was the ability for EGA athletes to showcase their competitive training to extended family” says MCCS Gymnastics Program Manager and EGA Coach Tiffany Mills. “With this competition being stateside, family members flew into Las Vegas

from around the U.S. to see their gymnast compete. The value of having a support system and cheering section while stateside is amazing! For a lot of the extended family members, this was the first time that they were able to see their loved ones in a competitive environment. I believe this added an extra special touch, in addition to all of the medals and the excitement of competition,” Coach Mills concluded.

Located on the second floor of Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster, EGA officially opened to the public on November 16, 2020. EGA offers both recreational classes and competitive training—with something for infants all the way to adults. Starting with gymnasts as young as 10 months old, EGA offers classes that focus on safe mobility that support hand, arm and core control. While younger students learn life skills such as sharing, following directions and how to be encouraging to others, older gymnasts focus on self-discipline, sportsmanship and the value of hard work paired with a can-do attitude.

The EGA team will next travel to Bangkok, Thailand April 6–7 to compete once again in the 2024 Bangkok Gymnastics Invitational Meet (Moose Games).

For more information on EGA and available classes, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ega 