Okinawa Living Magazine May 2023

MBC internet modems are pre-installed in every dorm and barracks room across Okinawa. Activate MBC internet through the link below.

features

8

Climb Mount Fuji : A Quest for Immortality Strike out on a once-in-a-lifetime quest and journey to the top of Mount Fuji. With tour dates offered throughout July and August, Tours+ makes planning the trek to the top of this iconic peak a breeze.

16

Explore the Best Burgers on Okinawa Okinawa’s burger scene is sizzling! See our picks for some of the juiciest (and mountainous) selections the island has to offer.

56

Children’s Day Traditions

In Japan, several holidays are specifically designated for children. One of these—known as Kodomo-no-HI , or Children’s Day—will be celebrated on May 5 with fanfare and carp flags known as koinobori

May

restaurant review

44

Peri Peri Chicken Okinawa

Looking for intricately seasoned chicken flame-grilled to perfection, warm, golden turmeric rice and intoxicating sauces? Head to Peri Peri Chicken Okinawa for some inspired fare.

May 2023

37

fitness + fun

26

Honor the Fallen with… Foster 5K Memorial Run and Memorial HITT Workout

Fire up those endorphins and honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion at community fitness events hosted by MCCS Semper Fit.

29

Tsunami Scuba Charters

Take a break from your usual dives at Sunabe Seawall and Maeda Point and discover unique underwater territories anew with Tsunami Scuba’s dive charters!

31 Futenma Open Softball Tournament

Find your lucky socks and start organizing your team because it’s time to play ball on MCAS Futenma!

33 Home & Home Challenge

Taiyo Golf Club golfers, it’s time to defend home turf, defeat the challengers from the Banyan Tree on Kadena AB and bring home the traveling trophy at the Home & Home Challenge.

marines + families

35

Confessions of a First-Time Coach

Read about how Okinawa Living Magazine writer Dani has grown in her role as a volunteer coach and how coaching a team of four- and five-year-olds can make a lasting, positive impact on the community.

37

Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party

Join the movement to read more with MCCS Libraries Summer Reading Program and join us at a super-fun kickoff party with activities and giveaways in-line with this year’s theme— “Find Your Voice.”

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May is Physical Fitness Month

Commemorated nationwide to promote the benefits of physical activity, your Semper Fit Health Promotion Team is here to help you celebrate by getting active!

dining + entertainment

43 Kitchen Warriors

Amateur chefs and home cooks, sharpen your culinary skills because this year’s cooking competition will be the fiercest and hottest one yet!

47

Habu Pit Final Friday: Disco Fever

Hustle on over to the Habu Pit to express yourself with your grooviest dance moves while enjoying fondue and disco-era themed beverages.

kids + parents

49

13th Annual Ages and Stages

If you find parenthood as perplexing as folding a fitted sheet, the New Parent Support Program is here to provide helpful information and invaluable resources.

51 Youth Baseball and Softball

Let your kid get that much-needed break from the couch and Nintendo Switch by signing them up for this season’s baseball or softball team!

services

53 Driver Education Program

Say goodbye the Green Line and so long to riding shotgun! The MCCS Driver Education Program is here to get you certified for your SOFA driver’s license.

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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, 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 MANAGER

John Dailey

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

As my junior year ends, and my internship with MCCS Marketing concludes, I have the opportunity to reflect on everything that I have learned by participating in the career practicum program. Career practicum is a class offered at Kubasaki High School that allows juniors and seniors to build up their resumes for college and entering the workforce by improving interview skills and allowing students the opportunity to gain a year’s worth of work experience in the career path of their choosing.

My wish when signing up for this class was to explore the variety of different career options in my high school years and alleviate the stress of last-minute job searching in my future. It only took a few classes for that wish to come true, as my research into different career paths and countless practice interviews eased my mind, leaving me with an idea of what to expect after my graduation.

This time spent researching various jobs is what lead me to MCCS Marketing. The work place is filled with creatives from different places who take different approaches for every project, offering and sharing new ideas with each other every day. Hopping between the different departments in Marketing showed the tremendous scale of what it takes to compile both physical and digital media into entertaining offerings that everybody on island can enjoy.

MCCS Marketing has helped me greatly in learning what work environments are best suited for me. Without this opportunity, my vision of an office, what it takes to be a team member and what life might hold for me after college would be unclear to me. This stress no longer remain as my dedication to the job has helped me make use of my creative strengths, while getting the chance to try new things with the help from others, such as writing for Okinawa Living Magazine.

As the cheery and sun-drenched island of Okinawa transitions into the summer months, most kids are ready for their much-needed break from school. This exciting time unfortunately also means that my time with MCCS Marketing is ending. However, what I learned during my time as an intern and student in the career practicum program, will continue to remain with me for the rest of my life. I hope you enjoy my final issue, as much as I greatly enjoyed contributing to this team. Thank you MCCS Marketing and Kubasaki High School.

—Austin Martinez

feedback from the ICE Program and Facebook

I just wanted to give the FMEAP/TRP staff a huge shoutout for a job well done with the Spouse Transition and Readiness Seminar held on March 16. The facilitator, Ms. Diana Hernandez, was well prepared, welcoming and knowledgeable. She did a great job connecting with participants, answering our questions and ensuring everyone understood the information and resources being shared. The additional presenters and Education & VA Benefits Advisor were equally well received and provided a wealth of information invaluable to the transitioning process. Kudos FMEAP/TRP team on a job well done!

—via ICE

The staff employed at the Outdoor Recreation Center on Camp Hansen is outstanding. They have supported efforts which directly contributed to the success of multiple training and recruiting events for 3d Marine Division and III MEF. We are greatly appreciative of the support that has been provided.

—via ICE

Thank you for opening the Power Dome Fitness Center [on Camp Schwab] until midnight! It is so nice to have another hour to work out and not have to compete for the equipment! Great change and truly appreciated.

—via ICE

I am unsure of what section the MCCS Okinawa Drivers Education Program falls under, but the course facilitator is outstanding. Although I am not enrolled in the course, I find myself late at work hearing a true professional engage her students in the most exciting of ways in the training classroom near my office. In my 20 years of service with the Marine Corps and MCCS Okinawa, many of which have been as a facilitator myself, I have rarely seen a teacher so proudly, comfortably and so confidently speak on a topic. This is especially demonstrated by her ability to get students excited about a driving course; not just because they’ll be able to drive soon, but because they have a great teacher. The students are always happy and seem to be having a good time while learning the cautions of driving. Truly the embodiment of exceptionalism.

—via ICE

The staff at NAF HRO were incredibly kind, professional and knowledgeable. I was particularly appreciative of the front desk staff. Every interaction I had with them was positive and helpful.

—via ICE

@tasha_schulze

FiFi’s first time taking interest in a boogie board—beach life runs strong in these genes

9 years of pinning you the wrong way, congratulations 1st Lt.!

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.

CLIMB MOUNT FUJI: A QUEST FOR IMMORTALITY

M OUNT FUJI , Japan’s tallest mountain (and active volcano) has ignited adventurous spirits and people’s imaginations for a millennium, so much so that there are many stories and myths surrounding the peak that parts the sky.

Text by: DANI LIVESEY Design by: MARGIE SHIMABUKURO

One such legend postulates how the mountain was named; it tells of a bamboo cutter who discovered an infant inside a shining stalk of bamboo who grew into a beautiful young woman named Kaguya-hime. The emperor Mikado fell deeply in love with the young woman, but alas, it was a love that could not be, for Kaguya-hime was of the moon people and needed to return home. To comfort the emperor, she sent him a letter and attached to it a small taste of the “Elixir of Life” which granted immortality, hoping it would help mend his broken heart. Life without Kaguya-hime, however, was not worth living forever in the emperor’s eyes, so instead he sent his guard on the arduous journey of finding and climbing the tallest mountain so the letter might be burned where it could be seen from the moon. The legend concludes that even now, the smoke of the ever-burning elixir can be seen from the top of the peak. And, because of this, the word for immortality—fuji—became the name of Japan’s most iconic mountain.

Following the path of the emperor’s guard and summiting Mount Fuji is a point of pride for many who are stationed here. The hiking stick sold at Station 5 and branded at huts along the way serves as a memento that must be earned over the course of a once in a lifetime experience. If the mountain of immortality is calling to you, then it’s time strike out on your own quest with Tours+ this summer with their five-day Mount Fuji adventure (dates are offered throughout July and August).

The itinerary of the trip is as follows:

Day one of your journey begins by departing Okinawa for Tokyo, before checking into the New Sanno Hotel and attending a class on how to navigate Tokyo using the subway and trains.

Day two includes a walking tour of Asakusa, complete with a bird’s eye view of the area, before heading to Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), one of the most photographed locations in Japan, famous for its huge red lantern. Next, there’s a visit to Shrine Street, full of vendors selling sweets and souvenirs, before passing though the Hozomon Gate and entering the courtyard of Senso-ji temple. The day concludes with self-guided exploration of Tokyo.

Day three starts with a walking tour of Ueno Park where folks will learn about Saigo Takamori, the real last samurai. The park includes shrines, temples, art museums, history museums and the National Museum of Nature and Science which has a life-size whale outside. The tour ends with a visit to Ueno Tashagu shrine, built in 1627 to honor Ieyasu Tokugawa the first shogun of the Tokugawa.

Day four is when folks begin their epic journey up the mountain at 2:30 a.m. by boarding a bus and heading to Mount Fuji’s 5th Station (arriving at approximately 5:30 a.m.) where walking sticks may be purchased, and preparations can be made for the climb. Climbers will make the summit and witness the stunning views of the valley floor as the sun rises, washing everything in glowing golds and reds. The bus will depart the mountain at 6 p.m. that evening for the drive back to Tokyo to enjoy some well-earned rest.

Day five, travelers leave the wonders of Tokyo and fly back home with new stories of adventures, feeling immortal and brandishing their hard-earned walking stick.

For more information on this tour, and other upcoming offerings, call 646-3502 or visit Tours+ online at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/tours. 

July Prices

Single Occupancy: $930

Double Occupancy: $800

Triple Occupancy: $780

Child (3-11) No Bed: $610

August Prices

Whether it’s gourmet, grilled on a backyard barbeque or flat-pressed and served diner-style, most who have ever had a hamburger, love them. These meaty (or meat-free, if you prefer) handhelds are so exalted that May is observed as National Hamburger Month in the U.S. Lucky for you, Okinawa’s burger scene also is sizzling with these delicious “American-centric” delicacies, so let this article serve as your fork-free passport to some of the best burgers on island.

If gourmet burger prices sound daunting and the thought of going to a stuffy sit-down place just sounds too time-consuming, we’ve got an alternative—Bulldogs! Besides being reliable and consistent, Bulldogs Burgers is just plain satisfying. For the famished, there’s the Double Stack—two beef patties, all the fixings and a special sauce. For those intrigued by global pops of flavor, there’s the Bacon and Bleu Cheese, and for vegetarians/vegans looking for the occasional indulgent eats, there’s the Beyond Burger. With appetizing and satiating options for everyone, Bulldogs Burgers is a one-stop-shop that’ll fulfill all your summer burger cravings. To read more about their menu items, visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/bulldogs.

If your longing for a magnificent burger is a treasure map, then quaint and stylish burger joint, Burger Cafe Gnoti is the ‘x’ that marks the spot.

Daiki Sunakawa-san, proprietor of Burger Cafe Gnoti, opened his restaurant’s doors April of last year. Although more recently opened, Sunakawasan’s enthusiasm for bold flavors and perfect meatto-bun proportions are timeless, and are prominent features of all his burgers, but especially so in the Yanawara Burger.

First, a juicy patty crafted from Sunakawa-san’s secret signature meat blend is stacked between freshly baked buns from Aien Bakery. This work of burger-art is then topped with melted cheese, grilled onions, a thick slab of house smoked bacon, fresh jalapeño slices and a fried egg. The umami provided by the slow-smoked bacon and burger patty, the pickled jalapeños which contribute a little bit of acidity and spice to the creaminess of the egg yolk and sauces, make the Yanawara Burger one self-indulgent experience. Those with spice aversions need not fret because Burger Cafe Gnoti has a variety of other delectable selections—including the Bacon Cheese, which features the same bacon (which Sunakawa-san smokes for over an hour), the Wanpaku Burger, which showcases an entire hash brown, among many more. A very short jaunt from Camp Foster Hospital Gate, Burger Cafe Gnoti is a stylish and comfortable joint to enjoy a burger with a robust, meaty flavor and picture-perfect ratios.

—Kiara Klein

What thoughts come to mind when you think of the best burger you’ve ever had? Is it the juiciness of the patty, the toppings or just how it feels to hold the sandwich? Whatever your criteria…Sandbox Burgers has found a way to beget the sheer feelings of burger bliss. Located in Chatan, a few minutes from American Village, Sandbox Burgers has been gracing Okinawa with its handcrafted burgers since 2014.

When you walk in, you’re immediately met with the aroma of burgers sizzling on the grill, a friendly face and a robust-but-chill atmosphere. The owner, Jan Shimizu-san, believes in the commitment of “farm-to-table” and you can taste it in everything that comes out of their kitchen. From their burger patties to their veggies, everything is locally sourced (Jan-san even grows his own potatoes!).

While their menu is filled with a spectacular array of scrumptious burger options, the Lamb Burger is the one that will send one’s palate over the edge. It consists of a lamb patty which is 75% lean and 25% fat, broccoli sprouts, a thick slice of organic feta cheese and just the right amount of whole grain mustard. Hands down, their burgers are true contenders for the title of “best burger on island.” I highly recommend you putting Sandbox on your places to visit while here and I guarantee it’ll become your new favorite spot.

—Latoya Cardona

“Good things come in small packages,” or so they say. While this might be the case for a diamond ring, such sentiments will never hold true when referring to a burger. If you’re looking for burger-eating experience that is one part unconventional (in the best way), two parts inimitable and all parts larger-than-life, the Mother of all Burgers (or MOAB, for short) at Tradewinds is sure to satisfy. Just like its namesake, “The Mother of all Bombs,” this MOAB is also an explosion of flavors.

This massive feast features a grilled half-pound, all-beef patty seared on both sides to perfection, a fried chicken patty, both ham and bacon, a fried egg and three kinds of cheeses (mozzarella, pepper jack and cheddar). All this deliciousness is stuffed between toasted brioche buns slathered with both Dijon mustard and a garlic mayonnaise and finished with a bamboo sandwich pick adorned with a sizable, deep-fried bacon wrapped jalapeño popper, two fried pickle slices and a little MOAB flag. This turret of tastes and textural experiences will challenge the best burger eater’s ability to finish a sandwich, but beyond being flavorsome and gargantuan, this burger is one of the most unique creations and best food finds on island—just make sure to bring your appetite (or a friend to help).

—Kiara Klein

The staff at Captain Kangaroo have a belief they hold true above all things in the food world—a burger should have an impact on you. This is why the creators of their specialty burgers literally traveled the world, from Osaka to America, to find inspiration for their distinctive blend of tastes and flavors. Partnerships have been developed for over 15 years with bakeries and butchers that ensure a superior quality of buns and their 100 percent Wagyu beef. Each patty is prepared carefully and lovingly by hand one at a time, before being seasoned and seared to perfection. Sauces are simmered for a minimum of two days so that flavor is maximized.

In a restaurant filled with carefully cultivated burgers it’s hard to know what to choose, but there are two burgers that stand above all others on the island, the Roo’s Special and the Sparky. A celebration of sauce, the Roo’s Special is adorned with typical fixings, dressed first with the Roo’s special sauce and then teriyaki sauce which creates a masterpiece of delight for the taste buds. Slightly sweet, kind of messy and very delicious, it is a burger that celebrates beef.

The Sparky Burger may remind you of a typical cowboy style burger, but there’s nothing typical about it. Six inches tall, this burger demands you come hungry, so that you can devour dynamite fried onion straws, bacon and tomato topped with a BBQ sauce so good, you won’t care that it’s smeared across your face.

—Dani Livesey

One person whose word you can trust for finding the best burgers on island is the self-proclaimed burger fan who sets herself the goal of finding the best burger in every city, state and country she visits. That burger enthusiast is me. No matter where I live or travel to, I always have my eyes (and stomach) set on finding the best burger available, and I can tell you that Atabii’s in both Chatan and Yomitan have got it. Atabii’s first opened its doors in 2017 on the waterfront complex of Depot Island in American Village. A nostalgic memory from his adolescence inspired Nampei Yanagida-san to open Atabii’s. In Uchinaguchi, the endangered language of Okinawa, Atabii means frog, which can be seen in many of the art and stickers filling the walls of the restaurant.

The most popular burger, which I ecstatically devoured on a beautiful sunny Oki day, is the Neo Bacon Cheeseburger. A quarter-pound beef patty topped with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, fried onion crisps, mayo and mustard and sprinkled with taco seasoning between fluffy, buttery buns makes this a beautiful and delicious burger. My favorite ingredient of this concoction was the relish, an ingredient that I never would have thought to add to a burger before.

If relish on a burger isn’t your style, Atabii’s offers a variety of other burgers to fit your cravings like the Double Patty Burger if you want more meat, the Grilled Apples Burger if you like sweet with your savory, the Veggie Burger for vegetarian-friendly diets and so much more. The Yomitan location also offers milkshakes and coffee. If you’re looking to try a new spot with amazing burgers—run, don’t walk, from Atabii’s parking lot because this restaurant surely draws a crowd.

—Roxine Ami

Foster 5K Memorial Run and Memorial HITT Workout

While some folks consider the three-day (or four days if you’re a service member stationed on Okinawa) Memorial Day weekend the herald of summer—usually signaled by the opening of pools/waterparks and the recommencement of solstitial festivities— Memorial Day at its core is a solemn day, one of reflection and remembrance, highlighted by honoring those who served in the U.S. military and paid the ultimate sacrifice to our nation.

There are countless ways one can pay tribute to the heroes who’ve fallen during wars or while serving our nation. One such way is by spending the day with family, friends and fellow service members to reflect on many of the sacrifices made or recount memories; or one could also volunteer to speak at schools, celebrations or community gatherings, planting a seed of respect in others through example, which may encourage many to come up with traditions of their own. If you’d like a Memorial Day tradition of you own, one that combines both remembrance and fitness, MCCS Semper Fit has some events you’re sure to enjoy: Semper Fit is honoring those who gave the last full measure of devotion with two different community fitness events—a Memorial Day 5k Run and a Memorial HITT Workout.

The Memorial Day 5k run takes place May 27 and is open to SOFA and non-SOFA runners ages 12 and older island wide. With participants convening at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse. Check-ins are held from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., with a mandatory brief taking place at 7:45 a.m. and the race beginning at 8:05 a.m. There will be awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each gender and age division, as well as awards for the overall male and female finisher. Those interested may register at any staffed MCCS Semper Fit facility before May 24 (11:30 p.m.) for $40.

Those that wish to honor our fallen while firing up some endorphins can join a FREE Memorial HITT Workout on May 26. The Memorial HITT Workouts will take place at all MCB Butler Camps and are slated for 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. There’s no registration required, so just show up ready to work.

For more information about Semper Fit Memorial Day events, email Semper Fit at adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To learn more about Semper Fit’s happenings this month like Physical Fitness Month and Fit Camps facilitated by Health Promotion, flip to p. 39, follow them on Facebook by searching ‘MCCS Okinawa – Semper Fit’ or head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion.

Tsunami Scuba Memorial Day Expo and Sale

Kick Off the Summer Diving Season!

Okinawa is a diving Mecca. And, summer months on the island are perfect for scuba divers to see sea turtles, tons of fish, coral gardens and many of the other remarkable creatures that inhabit the subtropical waters off the coast.

Tsunami Scuba Charters

Upcoming Boat Dives

Calling all certified divers! Looking for a break from your favorite main island dive spots? Join Tsunami Scuba for two unique upcoming charters that will leave you with memories that’ll last a lifetime.

First up on May 13, well-experienced divers (Advanced Open Water certification required with Deep Diver certifications preferred) can join in for a trip to explore the USS Emmons, the WWII destroyer which rests in the waters off Kouri Island. As the last naval fighting ship commissioned before the United States joined WWII, the USS Emmons was damaged and sunk as a result of kamikaze attacks that occurred on April 6, 1945, just a few months shy of the war’s end. Divers should exercise extra precautions when diving this memorial shipwreck because the site boasts depths of approximately 150 feet. Safety measures for this excursion are based upon weather and sea conditions, and therefore, this dive could be rescheduled or moved to an alternate location if necessary.

Next, head to the Kerama Islands— which are designated as a national park due to their massive coral gardens on May 21. Available to those with Open Water Diver certification, you’ll be off to explore the vast

variety of sea life (including manta rays, fire dartfish, sea anemones and much more) that call the spectacularly clear waters around the Keramas home. Because of the many coves and protected waters, the Keramas are home to many sea turtles—if you’re very lucky, you might even encounter a hawksbill, a member of a critically endangered species.

For both trips, divers must furnish all necessary equipment (regulators, BCDs, tanks, exposure protection, tanks, masks, fins, booties, snorkels and dive tools such as lights, knives and cameras) and will meet up at each boat’s departure port. Water and snacks will be available on both trips. While you are welcome to bring your own additional food, please refrain from bringing coolers due to space considerations.

Registration is available at any Tsunami Scuba location two days prior to each charter but be sure to book soon! There are only 12 spots available for each of these fabulous dive adventures. For more information and additional dive charter dates, please visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/scuba and follow facebook.com/tsunamiscuba. 

Many dive points, each more amazing than the last, are available— including hovering above gardens of soft corals off Sunabe Seawall, gazing into the depths of the deepest azure off Maeda Point (trying to see the bottom 30+ meters below), or marveling at the expanses of branch and table corals offshore from Onna Village. At most venues, sea life can be seen in multitudes—eagle rays, clownfish and anemones, turtles, reef sharks and fish in every shape and color imaginable and then some. Breathtaking glimpses of marine life are available to divers of all experience levels, so don’t miss your chance this summer.

To ensure that you’re ready for the season, Tsunami Scuba locations on Camps Foster and Hansen will be holding a Memorial Day Expo and Sale, offering 15% off all in-stock retail items from May 27 to 29. Stop by between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. to outfit yourself with all of the gear you’ve had your eye on. With popular brands like AquaLung, SCUBAPRO, Suunto and Bare available, you’ll be equipped for the summer in no time. Meet with manufacturer reps, attend seminars and try scuba and freediving before picking out the perfect mask, fins, gloves or wetsuit. Don’t forget to grab some gadgets, too—regulators, dive computers and knives all belong in your gear collection.

Although this sale excludes educational materials, don’t let that stop you from signing up for your next certification course. Ask our staff about upcoming classes and fill your summer with the dives of a lifetime as your skills improve. You can also enhance your dive life with the resources available on our website which include a dive site map, site descriptions eLearning opportunities and more. For more details, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/scuba

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

Term V 2023

May 30 - July 30, 2023

Registration begins: May 8, 2023

Term I 2023

Aug. 14 - Oct. 15, 2023

Registration begins: May 8, 2023

Term II 2023

Oct 16 - Dec 17, 2023

Registration begins: Sept. 25, 2023

Term III 2024

Jan. 8 - March 10, 2024

Registration begins: Nov. 27, 2023

Term IV 2024

Mar 18 - May 19, 2024

Registration begins: Feb. 26, 2024

troy.edu/pacific

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

Serve Up Some Fun!

Did you know there are bagels and breadsticks in tennis? They don’t actually refer to delicious carbs but rather are colloquial terms for scores that are 6-0 or 6-1, respectively. It’s no wonder folks are often bamboozled by the scoring (is love an actual number?) used in tennis matches. There are those, however, to whom the words “ace” and “deuce” don’t refer to types of playing cards but rather shots and scores, and for them all that tennis jargon isn’t just gobbledygook, but rather music to their ears.

If you count yourself among those who have a love of the game, crazy jargon and scoring and all, then you should make your way to the Camp Foster tennis courts on May 13 and 14 for the Foster Open Tennis Tournament. This community competitive event is open island-wide to all tennis aficionados 16 years and older. To register, visit any staffed Semper Fit Fitness Center prior to 1 p.m. on May 8. For more information, email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-4866. 

Futenma Open Softball Tournament

Find Your Lucky Socks—It’s Time to Play Ball

Softball players are a superstitious bunch. Some will use the same hairband for a whole season, others might need to field 10 perfect grounders before they hit the showers, teams might need to play a hype-up song and many have a specific order in which socks then shoes are put on and tied. While no one can be certain if these pregame traditions actually bring good luck, one thing is certain: a little confidence boost never hurt anyone.

Whether you are the kind of softball player whose team has a special locker-room dance or someone who eschews tradition altogether, you are welcome to join the Futenma Open Softball Tournament. Open island-wide to all teams and players ages 16 years and older, this community competitive event will take place Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21. Teams interested in participating can register at any staffed Semper Fit Fitness Center until May 15 at 1 p.m. For more information, email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 636-2672. 

Foster Tennis Tournament

Hit the Pitch!

Courtney Open 6v6 Soccer Tournament

Calling all midfielders, strikers, defenders and goalkeepers! It’s time to gather your teams and set up your strategies because the Courtney Open 6v6 Soccer Tournament is on the horizon! On Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, join Semper Fit at the Camp Courtney Bowl for an extravaganza of goals, super-saves, off-side traps and banana kicks.

Home & Home Challenge

Time to Defend your Turf!

Golfing, like other sports and competitive endeavors, can breed intense rivalries—especially when it comes to defending the honor of one’s turf. For many golfers stationed on Okinawa who frequent Taiyo Golf Club and the Banyan Tree Golf Course on Kadena Air Base, this friendly competition was formalized into the Home & Home Challenge—a tournament that has pitted the best golfers of Taiyo against the Banyan Tree’s finest. The first shot of this epic battle was fired during the spring of 1995 (moving from Awase Meadows Golf Course to Taiyo in 2010) and both bragging rights and the traveling trophy have traded hands several times.

This year’s challenge will take place May 20 and 21 with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m.

each day. The tournament is open to SOFA personnel and is $120 per person. The entry fee includes green fees and a cart for both days, range balls, tee gifts, breakfast both days, beverages during the event, a post-tournament banquet and fabulous prizes for the winners courtesy of event sponsors Ashibinaa Outlet Mall Okinawa, Moon Ocean Ginowan Hotel & Residence and Longhu Asian Kitchen. Sign-ups for the Home & Home are being accepted at the Taiyo GC Pro Shop and are limited to the first 100 golfers. The sign-up deadline is May 17. For more information, call 622-2004/2006 (098-954-2004/2006 from off base or a mobile phone) or visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/golf.

Diamonds, Dugouts and Dingers

Camp Hansen Open Softball Tournament

Join us at the Camp Hansen softball fields on June 3 and 4 for a weekend of diamond runs, dugout fun and plenty of dingers. You’ll have your chance to hit one right out of the park! This event is open to everyone island-wide ages 16 and older.

Looking to join in on the games, but don’t have a team? Pitch the idea of starting one up to your friends! As you organize your team, consider these tournament guidelines: teams should have a minimum of nine players, but no more than 15 players on their rosters, plus a coach. Coaches who will also play count

towards the 15-player roster limit. Games will have 60-minute time limits, except for the final games which stretch to 75 minutes. The play will be in double-elimination fashion (two losses and you’re out). Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing teams. Teams can register at any staffed Semper Fit Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on May 29 for $150 per team. For more information, visit okinawa.usmcmccs.org/adultsports or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. Questions may be emailed to adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Fútbol aficionados ages 16 and older island-wide may participate and must register at any staffed Semper Fit Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on May 15 for $150 per team. You may have between 6 and 12 players on your team plus a coach, with six players allowed on the field at any given moment (you are allowed unlimited substitutions). If your coach is also playing, that counts toward your 12-player limit. At the conclusion of the tournament, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams will receive awards.

For more information, please visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsports or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. If you have any questions, please email adultsports@okinawa.usmcmccs.org or call 622-7297.

Confessions of a First-Time Coach

Last October, I was asked to write a piece about all the reasons why one should volunteer to coach. My words were so compelling by the end of the write-up, I had talked myself into it; a visit to the coaches’ corner, a few answered questions on the application, a quick trip to get a background check and one purchase of Coaching Soccer for Dummies and I was set.

A team parent who previously played soccer stepped up to be my assistant coach (which was great because I had to learn what a corner kick was), and together we set out to make our practices fun and helpful. After our first practice, I was feeling pretty great about the high fives my team was sharing with me and felt warmth spreading through my heart when at the end of practice the kids ran up with a simple, “Thanks, Coach!” before disappearing.

The morning of our first game, I was ready—prepared with a spreadsheet to help me remember which players went in at what time so that everyone had equal game play, but that went right out the window with bathroom visits, trips and falls on the field and one tearful plea of exhaustion. The game was a whirlwind of little feet, filled with fervent reminders that they were running in the wrong direction. The highlight of the game was when our goalie who had been scored on seven times excitedly jumped up and down and proclaimed, “Did you see me stop the ball?! I’m really good!”

At this point in our season (about six games in), I’m starting to see big changes in my tiny athletes. Kiddos once afraid to run toward a ball are now stealing it, and this past Saturday, our team scored its first goal. I literally jumped for joy. What’s even better, I can

see the kids cheering each other’s successes and encouraging one another when they fall short—if we don’t score another goal for the rest of the season that will be enough for me. I’m so proud of their progress and the big difference our short time together has made. The season has been an unexpected joy, filled with high fives, stickers, grateful parents and more smiles than I can count.

I’m so glad I decided to be a youth sports coach, and if you’re ready to try your hand at making a big impact on little lives, the next sport to sign up for is Youth Baseball/ Softball which runs from July 17 to October 7. You can find more information at okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/youthsports. Hopefully I’ll see you on the field! 

—Dani Livesey

Find Your Voice

Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party

Our voices have power; they provide us with the power to express ourselves, tell our stories, and, through our stories, spark change. Change is often a critical element of personal growth since it’s how we readjust our worldview and even transform habits. MCCS Libraries wants to help you transform yours with this year’s Summer Reading Program themed “Find Your Voice.” There is so much literature out there featuring countless heroes whose voices sparked change.

Join this movement to read more and, through reading, find your voice. On June 10, from noon to 2 p.m., all the MCCS Libraries on island will be hosting a Summer Reading Program kickoff party, where participants will have the opportunity to win prizes! To receive one of two raffle tickets, all you have to do is

Innovation Saturdays

sign up for the Summer Reading Program. For the second raffle ticket, complete a scavenger hunt at the event.

In addition to the scavenger hunt, readers of all ages can enjoy other activities in-line with this year’s theme. Participants may attend anytime within the two hours, but please note that the raffle will be held towards the end of the party. To get an early start, head to okinawabutler.beanstack.com and create your account. For more information on these events, as well as more on this year’s Summer Reading Program, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/libraries or head to Facebook and search ‘MCCS Okinawa – Education and Libraries’ and give them a follow. The 2023 Summer Reading Program is sponsored in part by California Sunshine.

The late Arthur C. Clarke, science-fiction writer and Kalinga Prize recipient (an award given by UNESCO for the popularization of science), famously said, “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” If you’re someone who enjoys pushing your limits to realms previously unseen, stop by the Camp Foster Library’s Innovation Lab. On Saturdays, folks can learn about 3D printing, robotics, iPhone tips and tricks and even more! The first Saturday of the month (May 6), from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., innovators of every age can expect to tinker with robots such as NAO, a fully programable autonomous, humanoid ‘bot with a made-to-measure operating system that allows users to explore programming languages such as HTML drag-and-drop, C++, Python and Java. Unlock your inner developer by enabling NAO to adapt to the world around it through human-robot interactions.

Additionally, on the third Saturday of the month (May 20), from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., creators can enjoy an introduction to 3D printing and design by powering up their imagination and watching their ideas come to life before their own eyes. Articulate creatures, 3D models, circuits, pop its and more—it’s all possible at Innovation Saturdays! Innovate, create or just come to explore—folks of all ages and abilities are welcome to check out the Innovation Lab. For more information about Innovation Saturdays and other library events, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/libraries. If you have any questions, call 645-7178. 

May is Physical Fitness Month

Get Up, Get Moving, Get Healthy!

During the month of May, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is commemorated nationwide to promote the benefits of physical activity, and this month your Health Promotion Team is here to help you celebrate. It’s no secret that physical activity is a major component in both physiological and mental well-being. Getting up and moving your body reduces stress, lowers your risk for chronic ailments and can help mitigate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Keep a look out for more information on Physical Fitness month at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ healthpromotion, on their Facebook at facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit/ or in any of your Semper Fit facilities.

Looking for a way to get active outside of the gym? Think about joining one of the many Semper Fit happenings this season such as the Foster Tennis Tournament May 13–14, the Courtney Open 6v6 Soccer Tournament May 20–21, the Futenma Open Softball Tournament also May 20-21, the Foster 5k Memorial Run, the June 11 Kinser Bike race, or the Memorial HITT Workout on May 26. If you’re interested in finding more information on any of the above, you can visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/adultsport or okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/semperfit

If you’d like a way to ease into more physical activity and want to make a big impact on little lives at the same time, consider being a youth sports coach. Coaches may find themselves running up and down the sidelines cheering on their team, demonstrating drills and leading stretches by example. It’s a great way to add a couple of active hours to your week. To find out more, go to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/youthsports 

Spring/Summer Fit Camp Stay Motivated While Getting Fit

Given that May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, you may be thinking “I want to get into better shape, but where do I start?” Workout goals and plans may be readily available online, but there’s no accountability to keep you motivated. Well, never fear—Fit Camp is here!

Fit Camp is a six-week program designed to help you build strength, confidence and motivation to keep you going with your fitness goals. With an emphasis on circuit-style workouts, you’ll quickly pick up new exercises to incorporate into your long-term routines. What’s better, is that you’ll be joined in the program by a small cohort of fellow fitness friends whom you can lean on for motivation to help you stay accountable to your goals. Fit Camps run year-round, but there’s no time like the present to get started.

So, if you’re ready to accept the challenge and spring into action, the next Fit Camp runs May 15–June 28 and will be held on multiple Marine Corps installations. Register before May 10 by visiting the front desk of the Semper Fit Fitness Center where you’d like to attend. Pricing for Fit Camp is per person and depends on the number of sessions you select. Choose either 12 sessions (2 per week) for $130 or 18 sessions (3 per week) for $199. Those with base access ages 18 and older are eligible to participate. For more information, please visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion or call 645-3910 from a DSN or 098-970-3910 from off base.

SAPR Services

With Ms. Vanessa Mattice-Allen

“Our role is not to judge. […] We are not there to investigate in any way; we are strictly there for supportive services. We are there to believe our clients and support them to the best of our ability.” states Ms. Vanessa Mattice-Allen. As one of the civilian Victim Advocates with Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR), she’s here to serve service members and their families during times of dire need.

SAPR aids active-duty service members and adult family members who’ve experienced unwanted sexual acts. Ms. Mattice-Allen explained that there are two options for reporting: restricted and unrestricted. Expanding on the two reporting options she added, “coming in to speak to a SAPR VA does not necessarily mean that someone has to make a report; everything that comes to me is confidential, unless there are imminent safety concerns.”

“With the restricted report it remains

confidential, the command is not notified and there will not be an investigation, but if the client so chooses, they can convert it to unrestricted; with the unrestricted report, that cannot be reversed. So, once it’s unrestricted it’s that way forever.” But the ball is in the court of the individual who files the report, “they can choose not to participate in an investigation, but law enforcement will investigate what’s going on, and the command is notified,” Ms. Mattice-Allen continued. Although with either reporting option, individuals seeking SAPR services will still be referred to further resources, such as Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC), a sexual assault forensic exam (safe kit), medical and Chaplin services.

Ms. Mattice-Allen explained that there are some resources that you can only get with some reporting options. “For example, with the unrestricted report, the victim can request an expedited transfer, so they can

have a fresh start, and typically, we can get them off island in 30 days.”

What does Ms. Mattice-Allen enjoy most about her position? Empowering her clients, “most of all I want them to know that I’m here for you. […] Whatever you need, if I cannot do it, I’m going to communicate that to you. I won’t make you promises I can’t keep, but what I can do for you is give you one hundred percent.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from SAPR resources, call the DoD safe helpline at 1-877-995-5247, or for an immediate response, call the 24/7 MCB Butler Support Line helpline at 645-HOPE (4673) from a DSN or 098-970-HOPE (4673) from off base. SAPR is here to help DoD Civilians, their adult family members, and contractors rate limited SAPR services in an OCONUS environment. For numbers to other services such as VLC and more, head to okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/sapr. 

Kitchen Warriors

It’s BACK!

It’s the cooking competition of cooking competitions, where the best two-person teams made up of local amateur chefs and home cooks compete in a series of challenges striving for the vaunted title of…Kitchen Warrior!

The path to kitchen supremacy is littered with the broken dreams of defeated pretenders. And, with each consecutive battle, victorious teams must climb higher and higher, sharpening techniques and perfecting strategy as each matchup will be more difficult than the last. In the end, there can be only one team left remaining.

It’s truly a spectacle to behold, and the good news is that it’s back! Once again, MCCS proudly presents Kitchen Warriors—the cooking battle royale where 12 culinary teams compete for supremacy.

Spectators of this event will once again be given the opportunity to marvel at this two-round battle, where teams receive “mystery boxes” containing the magic ingredients that they’ll need to transform into elegant award-winning dishes in-line with each round’s theme in the allotted 60 minutes. This year, however, the stakes will even higher! Kitchen Warriors 2023 will welcome a special guest judge—Chef Megan Gill, runner up of Hell's Kitchen: Young Guns! Having dreamed of being a chef as a child, Chef Gill honed her skills at country clubs and hotels before going to work for the Dallas Cowboys and then assuming her current role as the Executive Chef at Hotel Marcel in New Haven, Connecticut. Chef Gill will also be holding a cooking demonstration during the competition. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of Kitchen Warriors, and the first place and runner-up teams will also earn an industrial refrigerator ’s worth of bragging rights that will last the whole year along with one-of-a-kind customized chef ’s jackets..

With access to a continental breakfast, dynamic action stations for lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the duration of the event, spectators will also all be winners at Kitchen Warriors.

Want to learn more about entering or witnessing this spectacle happening on May 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.? Visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/kitchenwarriors. Registration for spectators is also limited (and last year’s event pretty much sold out), so don’t wait! 

Hours of Operation

Monday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Location 1F-3 Forest Market 403 Rycom

Kitanakagusuku Village

Nakagami-gun

Okinawa 901-2306 [Peri Peri Chicken Forest Market Rycom]

Instagram @perichicki.rycom

Website periperichicken-okinawa.com

Payment Yen and Card Accepted

Peri Peri Chicken Okinawa

It’s our experiences that shape our identity and purpose, and this concept is exemplified by Yuto Nakachi of Peri Peri Chicken Okinawa. Nakachi-san’s zest for world flavors and astute culinary knowledge was apparent from the moment we approached the establishment. After warm greetings and introductions were exchanged, I inquired about his inspiration for his dishes.

Nakachi-san worked in Canada and Australia at higher-end restaurants for a while before embarking on a cuisine-driven expedition, visiting countries such as Turkey and France. He was largely inspired by the chicken kebab and Turkish flavors during his travels and these influences show themselves in the form of the robust seasonings used in his dishes.

My own expedition at this establishment began with the Chicken Over Rice, which featured bite-sized, intricately seasoned morsels of succulent chicken served over warm, golden turmeric rice. Drizzled with a creamy yogurt-based sauce and punctuated with notes of dill along with a mild Peri Peri sauce (which is perfect for those with a spice sensitive palate), the dish was a medley of complementary flavors. The addition of cheese and fresh lettuce brought cohesion to the plate, with the nuttiness of the cheese pairing beautifully with the warm Eastern seasonings, and the crisp lettuce adding a welcome textural element.

I watched in wonder as the Peri Peri Chicken staff buzzed efficiently around the galley kitchen like worker bees infusing their enthusiasm and passion into each dish. Accompanied by a friendly smile, the next dish was presented: Peri Peri Chicken. Before this review, I had never contemplated consuming an entire chicken in one sitting. And, as outlandish as this may sound, the freshly grilled meat was so enticing I had to force the urge to try from my head.

The Peri Peri Chicken is flame-grilled to order as “original” or “spicy” and served either as a half or whole bird. Ordering the spicy version means the bird is coated with spicy Peri Peri sauce before getting to juicy perfection. Now, there’s no wrong way to order it, but Nakachi-san recommend I order it as original and dunk it with the piquant sauce which is available at no additional cost; this is exactly what I did. An impeccable vessel for the cayenne-forward sauce, each bite of rotisserie-style chicken burst with building heat from the sauce and warmth from the blend of seasoning in which the chicken is marinated.

Last, but certainly not least, I sampled the Chicken Burrito, a fugue of the Chicken Over Rice plate, but equally astonishing. The seam of the flour tortilla was seared shut, encasing all the deliciousness inside. The Chicken Burrito may also be ordered with either spicy or mild sauce and is basically a handheld version of the Chicken Over Rice plate, which is a win-win in my book since it makes it easier to consume. Dousing the burrito with all three of the sauces, I thoroughly enjoyed this burrito and its supreme protein-to-rice proportions. Heartily stuffed with the delicious chicken, this burrito stands head-and-shoulders above different burritos I have had at other establishments.

Nakachi-san shared with me that when he left the high-end restaurant industry to open his own establishment, there was one thing that was clearest to him—he wanted to create cuisine that was nourishing, delicious and appropriable for everyone.. I believe he’s done just that. The Peri Peri Chicken group has three locations, one in Misato, Okinawa City; another one that’s to-go only in Ishikawa, Uruma City; and in “Forest Market” right next to AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom. 

Text by: Kiara Klein | Photography by: Kathlene Millette

Habu Pit Final Friday

Disco, a short-lived craze that inflamed the music industry with catchy, repetitious vocals and danceable, syncopated beats took the underground club scene by storm in the early ’70s. Developed as a way for marginalized communities to escape injustice, discotheques provided a positive atmosphere where folks could feel safe to express themselves. For the next two decades, people adorned in psychedelic and exuberant fashions gathered to boogie down to funky jams by groups like Earth Wind and Fire, the Bee Gees, Sister Sledge and many more at these popular nighttime dance venues furnished with reflective mirror balls and flashy neon lights.

Are you interested in expressing yourself through some groovy dance moves? If so, hustle on over to Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma on Friday, May 26 for this month’s Final Friday event, Disco Fever!

This event will be out-a-sight—including the prerequisite DJ spinnin’ continuous disco music and even some fondue during breaks from the dance floor. After demonstrating a fabulous funky chicken to your friends, dip some complimentary hors d’oeuvres into a pot of melted cheese to fuel your disco fire!

Beginning at 5 p.m., Disco Fever inside the SNCO Lounge is open to SNCOs, civilian equivalents and their guests. Additionally, patrons ages 20 years or older may (sensibly and responsibly, of course) sip on disco-era themed cocktails such as the Foxy Momma, Psychedelic Sour or classic Harvey Wallbanger, which will be available for purchase at the bar. Head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.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. 

Order Up!

New Offerings from Chef Shack

Nothing’s kicks off the summer season better than a good ‘ol hot dog—the tried-and-true comfort food that makes you feel like you’re spending a relaxing afternoon at the ball game (even though you’re stuck at your desk finishing weekly reports). If you’ve ever sighed in delight while biting into one of these all-American favorites, then you’re going to love what Chef Shack’s got in their new lineup because this food truck will travel stocked with a loaded line-up that’s worthy of the World Series.

The lead-off hitter is The Classic—an all-beef dog topped with onions and relish for $3.75. On deck is the Chili Cheese Dog, another all-beef hot dog topped with Chef Shack’s house chili and cheese for $4.25. The slugger in the hole is The German—a classic bratwurst served with stone-ground mustard and topped with sauerkraut for

$4.50. The clean-up hitter is the mighty Italian, a spicy Italian sausage topped with grilled onions and peppers also for $4.50. And, last but not least, is the ace on the mound—the Chicago Dog. This all-beef hot dog topped with mustard, tomato, Chicago-style relish, sport peppers, celery salt and a pickle served on a poppy seed bun is ready to strike out the side with blazing fastballs!

All of Chef Shack’s dogs can be turned into a combo with chips and a drink for $3 and bottled water or canned soda is available for $1. For more information about Chef Shack—including its availability to support command, unit or other special events on Marine Corps installations island-wide—send an email to mccsfoodtrucks@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To see the latest schedule, visit okinawa.usmcmccs.org/chefshack.

Disco Fever

13th Annual Ages & Stages

Supporting and Educating Families

It’s been said that being a parent is like folding a fitted sheet—no one really knows how, and indeed there are enough quotes about the ups and downs of parenthood to match the piles of unfolded onesies and burp cloths in a newborn’s household. For instance, Chrissy Teigen once stated, “My biggest parenting conundrum: why is it so hard to put someone who is already sleepy to sleep?”

If this is resonating with you, know that you are not alone and that the New Parent Support Program (NPSP) is here to support you. NPSP is comprised of a team of nurses and licensed counselors designed to be a reliable source of information and answers for parents. They offer free home or office visitations, classes, and groups to promote positive parent-child bonding and attachment as well as balancing family and military life.

Offered courses include Baby Boot Camp which teaches everything a new parent needs to know about caring for a baby from birth through the first months after delivery (offered monthly from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Camp Foster), Parents in Uniform which covers Marine Corps policies related to becoming a parent, housing information, legal requirements, community resources, leave policy, on-island child care options, DEERS and other family readiness issues (offered monthly from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Camp Foster),

Infant Massage which teaches parents massage techniques that have different benefits for parents and baby (offered Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. on Camp Foster four sessions) and Play Morning—an educational and interactive playgroup to assist parents in learning developmentally appropriate play techniques (offered Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Camp Courtney).

In addition to NPSP’s regular offerings, they will host the 13th Annual Ages and Stages Open House on May 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium. This FREE event is open to all families and is intended to increase awareness of how children develop and grow along with the availability of community resources that serve expectant parents and families with young children. Approximately 20 resource groups will be in attendance with offerings and information to provide a fun, family-friendly event aimed at increasing protective factors toward the prevention of child abuse. There will also be activities at stations such as infant massage demonstrations, arts and crafts and a fun obstacle course.

For more information on the New Parent Support Program or the 13th Annual Ages and Stages Open House, please email NPSPokinawa@usmc.mil

Youth Baseball and Softball

Other than a much-needed break from the couch and the Nintendo Switch, team sports—especially at a young age—can go a long way in improving both mental and physical health. Sports not only promote cooperation, teamwork, sportsmanship and critical thinking skills, but they also help improve motor skills, lower stress, build endurance and facilitate muscle growth. Socially, sports are a great way to make new friends (especially important for military kids when overseas), build self-esteem and develop feelings of belonging to the community. And oh, by the way, kids can also have a blast! It’s time to go to bat for your kiddos by registering them for Semper Fit Youth Sports’ baseball and softball season.

Practices begin July 17 and the season’s opening games are scheduled for July 29. Each team will play games once or twice per week on Camps Courtney, Foster or Kinser with the seasonending October 7. Team-specific schedules will be announced by individual coaches.

Registration is open to children ages 5–18 (of SOFA ID card holders island-wide), including 4-year-olds who will turn five before the season ends on October 7. To register, visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/youthsports or stop by any staffed MCCS Fitness Center before June 30. If you have any questions, feel free to touch base with Semper Fit Youth Sports staff by calling 645-3533/34, emailing youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or visiting their office on Camp Foster in Bldg. 5952.

Where Young Readers Explore

Children’s Storytimes

MCCS libraries offer programs geared toward the island’s youngest book enthusiasts which include weekly Kangaroo Storytime, Play to Learn Storytime, Once Upon a Storytime and Yomikikase. Kangaroo Storytime (for babies and children who are not yet walking) is designed for parents and caregivers to learn tools for the development of early literacy through lapsit activities. Play to Learn Storytime is for children of all ages and stages of development (from infant to elementary school), and as the name suggests, it is an event where little ones can explore language through movement, play and interactive stories. Once Upon a Storytime is tailored to pre-readers who are eager to listen to longer stories and is designed to help them develop a love of books and gain an understanding of more complex plots and concepts. Kiddos will explore the language through words, spelling, rhyming and conversation. Yomikikase is

an all-ages storytime where children can learn about the Japanese language, culture and holidays through stories and song.

The aforementioned storytimes are held at Courtney, Foster, Hansen and Kinser Libraries and typically happen in the morning but dates and times vary, so to find scheduled events, head to okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/libraries. In addition to storytimes there’s plenty to do for the whole family at your local library, and patrons of all ages can get lost in a good read or plug into an audiobook. MCCS Libraries are home to hundreds of books, periodicals, graphic novels and multimedia, and each library also has special programs and events offered throughout the year including book clubs, survival language courses, crafts and presentations and more.

For more information on Storytime and other offerings at MCCS Libraries, visit them online at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/libraries

Typhoon Motors Sales

Upgrade Your Road Trip

An old road trip movie troupe is that of teens jammed into a car, listening to the same songs over and over again (because the tape deck is stuck) while sweating up a storm because there’s no AC. While watching it on the television might be a good way to indulge in some schadenfreude, reliving that experience is not something anyone wants to do. If your ride is starting to give you that high school road trip vibe, then perhaps it’s time you head on down to Typhoon Motors.

For the entire month of May, Typhoon Motors is offering a Pre-Summer AC Special where you can get 25% off AC Tune Ups (recovery, recycle & recharge) at all their locations so you can keep cool while temperatures outside are hot, hot, hot! Not only that, from

…Kiss Riding Shotgun Goodbye Learn to

Drive, and…

May 28 to May 30 on Camp Foster and May 30 on Camps Hansen, Courtney and Kinser, you can take advantage of the $1 Lift and Stalls Memorial Day Special.

If it’s time to upgrade that sound system that sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher every time your turn up the volume on the radio, then you will want to be at the Camp Foster Typhoon Motors May 27–31 for the Memorial Day Special Sale of 15% off subwoofers, because—let’s face it—we all know, it’s all about that bass!

For more information on these amazing sales, or to find out more about what Typhoon Motors has to offer, check out okinawa.usmcmccs.org/typhoonmotors. 

Tired of spending hours on the Green Line? Sick of begging your buddies to give you a lift? Ready to claim some independence and experience the freedom of long drives wherever you want to go, just for the sake of feeling the air roll in through that open window? Then it’s time to sign up for the Driver Education Program and earn that license.

The Driver Education Program is tailored to aid Marines, Sailors and their families stationed on Okinawa with their POV licensing needs. This program features the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)/AAA-certified courses which include 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 from 6 to 9 p.m. R efresher courses as well as classes for active duty are held at the Driver Education Office (Bldg. 5677).

In-person classes are held on Camp Foster, while behind-the-wheel instruction takes place at both Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base. Additionally, please note that behind-thewheel 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. 

Kodomo-No-Hi

CHILDREN’S DAY TRADITIONS

t is no secret that parents on Okinawa and in Japan love their kids—much like everywhere else in the world. For centuries, holidays have been dedicated to the success and happiness of the nation’s children. Parents take great pains in ensuring that their kids enter the best schools, and inordinate effort goes into finding the perfect names for their children—all the way down to the number of brush strokes it takes to write them.

Text by: Mike Daley Design by: Tiffany Kim

In Japan, several holidays are specifically designated for children. While some traditional anniversaries, such as Hyaku-nichi-sai—a special ceremonial visit to a local Shinto shrine commemorating the baby’s 100th day on earth—are held informally by individual families, some holidays and festivals are actual national holidays. Every year in Japan, a holiday called Kodomo-no-Hi (Children’s Day) is celebrated on May 5 as a part of the string of Japanese holidays called Golden Week. Visitors to Japan will know it’s close when they begin to see two Kodomo-no-Hi mainstay traditions—koinobori (carp flags) flapping in the breeze above homes and department stores prominently displaying dolls of fierce, elementary school-aged, samurai warriors.

Koinobori

According to an ancient Chinese legend, a golden carp that had the courage to brave the numerous rapids and waterfalls of the Yellow River, and the strength to leap over the Dragon Gate at the rivers head, was rewarded for its perseverance by being transformed into a celestial dragon spending the rest of its days flying majestically above the land. Many in Asia believe that because of this legend, the carp represents the epitome of courage, strength and perseverance. It is popularly thought that the custom of flying carp-shaped flags called koinobori during the holiday also finds its roots in this myth.

Kodomo-no-Hi, (which was known as Tango-noSekku or “Boys’ Day” until 1948), falls on the 5th day of the 5th month in Japan, and was originally only a holiday for parents with sons. Parents with daughters would celebrate Hina Matsuri on the 3rd day of the 3rd month. Tango-no-Sekku, which was also known as Shobu-no-Sekku (The Iris Festival) during ancient times, had close ties to the warrior class. Many in Japan postulate that Tango-no-Sekku was originally set aside in commemoration of an allied samurai force defeating an invading army on the 5th day of the 5th month during the days of antiquity. As time passed, it is thought that this holiday was combined with parents’ collective wishes for their children to grow up strong and successful—and eventually became the holiday known as Kodomo-no-Hi

In Japan, it is said that the origin of koinobori were the flags and streamers carried into battle by samurai warriors during medieval times. Initially, the design of the streamers flown during Boy’s Day weren’t based upon carp (which are known as koi in Japanese)—at first, the flags emulated the crests of various notable

samurai families. However, because the carp had qualities admired by the warrior class, koinobori began to be raised during the holiday beginning in the Edo period (1600–1868) to symbolize parents’ wishes that their sons grow up with the attributes of the legendary golden carp. Today, during Kodomo-no-Hi, carp flags are proudly raised on tall poles in front of Japanese households with children in the hope that all of them—regardless of gender—will emulate the carp’s virtuous qualities of courage, perseverance and strength.

A typical, modern-day set of family koinobori consists of a multi-colored streamer called a fukinagashi on the top representing the tumultuous waters of the Yellow River. It is followed by a large black carp called a magoi representing the father of the family, a large red carp called the higoi representing the mother followed by a number of smaller carp (usually colored blue, yellow, green, or purple, and other hues) representing the children.

Koinobori are an inseparable part of Kodomo-no-Hi, even during the 21st century. However, the carp itself is still an important creature to modern Japanese society as well. Sayings such as “koi-no-takinobori” (which literally translates into “koi climbing a waterfall”) are equated to “succeeding vigorously in life.” And, if reading the above reminds anyone of a Pokémon named “Magikarp” (which can evolve into a river dragon with enough TLC), they would be right on target as it was also inspired by the same legend.

Gogatsu Ningyo

Like Hina Matsuri in March, which features special dolls called Hina Ningyo decorating the homes of families with daughters, Kodomo-no-Hi celebrations also feature a special doll. These dolls, often seen during the month of May are called Gogatsu Ningyo, or “May dolls.” Gogatsu Ningyo take many forms with the popular versions resembling Kintarō (Golden Boy), a legendary character from Japanese folklore, astride either a great brown bear, a golden carp or a white warhorse.

Many legends about this quasi-mythical figure dot both Japan’s history and its folktales. Many historic tomes say that Kintarō is based on an actual person named Sakatano-Kintoki, a faithful retainer of the 10th century warlord Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu (also known as Minamoto-noRaiko) who served the Emperor of Japan as a commander of a regiment.

While Sakata-no-Kintoki can be found in history books, most people in Japan associate the name Kintarō with a popular kid’s legend, a story that many heard as a bedtime story as a child. Long ago, in the capital city of Kyoto, there lived a brave samurai warrior named Kintoki. As many

do, he fell in love with a beautiful lady and married her. However, not long after this joyous day, he fell into disgrace at court through the machinations of jealous rivals and was dismissed, taking his own life shortly after to pay for his shame. Fearing her husband’s enemies, Kintoki’s widow fled to the Ashigara Mountains, and there in the lonely forests, a little boy was born to her who she named Kintarō. The child was born with great strength, a gift of the gods, and he grew stronger by the year. It is said that by the time he was eight, he could cut down trees as quickly as the local woodcutters and often traveled with them to help fell trees.

Unlike other boys, Kintarō grew up in the mountain wilds without kids his own age to play with, so he became friends with all the animals and learned to communicate with them. One day, Kintarō went up into the mountains, followed by his friends the bear, the deer, the monkey and the hare. After some walking they reached a grassy plain— the perfect place for a sumo match. After much discussion, and a few preliminary tussles, it was decided that the two strongest would wrestle, Kintarō and the bear. After a titanic struggle, Kintarō threw the bear to the ground, victorious.

After a bit of rest, the animals headed down the mountains, taking a alternate route. And after walking a bit they found themselves on the banks of a river flowing through a valley. Although they looked for a shallow point to cross, there was none to be found. The animals began to fret as the afternoon light was beginning to wane. Kintarō suddenly perked up, struck by an idea. “I see a bridge!” Mystified, the animals cried that there was no bridge, only tall trees lining the river. The animals’ puzzlement soon turned to awe as Kintarō walked to the tallest tree and proceeded to rip it out of the ground with his bare hands. “There,” said Kintarō, “what do you think of my bridge? It is quite safe, so follow me," and he stepped across, followed closely by the four animals. While this was going on, an old man dressed as a woodcutter rubbed his eyes in amazement at the incredible feat of strength. He happened to be passing by on his way down the mountain with two other woodcutters. “Who is that amazing boy?!” he exclaimed. The other woodcutters replied, “that’s just Kintarō; he lives with his mom at the base of the mountain.”

After walking his friends to their respective lairs, Kintarō arrived home to the greetings of his mother as always.

Days past as news of Kintarō’s amazing feats spread far and wide. One day, the man dressed as a woodcutter arrived at Kintarō’s home and revealed himself as Sadamitsu, a vassal of the powerful lord Minamoto-no-Raiko. “I have been under orders to travel the land in search of suitable candidates for samurai warriors; the disguise enables me to travel freely throughout the countryside, because my face is not unknown.” he said. “If you would like, I will take you to meet Lord Raiko.” Both mother and son were overjoyed and agreed.

Although Kintarō’s mother was extremely saddened to part with her only son, she hid her grief, because she knew that it was for the best. Kintarō promised that as soon as he was a true samurai he would build her a home and take care of her in her old age. Kintarō trained as a samurai and soon joined their ranks amazing all with his stupendous strength.

Kintarō rose to be one of the greatest heroes of his country, with great power, honor and wealth. He of course kept his promise and built a comfortable home for his mother, who lived happily with him in the capital to the end of her days. 

Tuna & Avocado Donburi

Serves Two

Ingredients

1/2 lb. raw tuna, cut into cubes

1 avocado, cut into bite-sized cubes

1 sheet of nori (dried seaweed), cut into thin strips

2 bowls of steamed white rice

Marinade Mixture:

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. mirin (Japanese cooking wine)

Sauce:

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/3 tsp. wasabi paste

1 tsp sesame seeds

Preparation

1. Marinate tuna slices in marinade mixture for at least an hour in the refrigerator.

2. Place marinated tuna and diced avocado on rice.

3. Sprinkle nori strips over tuna and avocado.

4. Pour sauce over nori.

5. Serve.

Okinawa Reversion

Some may wonder why quite a few residents of this island prefecture prefer calling themselves Uchinânchu , or “Okinawans,” over being called Japanese—even though they are very much citizens of Japan. The reasons for this lie in the island’s past. Okinawa was overseen by the United States for 27 years after the Battle of Okinawa until it was returned to Japan on May 15, 1972. Before reversion, the currency that was used on the island wasn’t yen, but the U.S. dollar. Automobiles drove on the right side of the road (this was switched to left-hand side six years later) and people from mainland Japan needed to pack their passport to enter the island. Of course, appropriate documentation and vaccinations were also needed when Okinawans traveled to mainland Japan. Because of this unique

situation, most Okinawans were not treated as actual citizens of the country during this period.

Even before the war, Okinawa had only been an official part of Japan for a relatively short time—until 1879, it was a sovereign kingdom called “Ryukyu.” Many aspects of the island’s traditional culture show influences from several neighboring nations including Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and others. Modern Okinawan culture also shows heavy influences from the United States—especially in the central part of the island where several military installations still stand. Today, for quite a few islanders, their culture still defines their identity, just as it did during the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom. And these people wear the title “Uchinânchu” with pride. 

Congratulations to EGA athletes Ava and Esra!

Two Level 6 athletes from the MCCS Excellence Gymnastics Academy (EGA) team competed at the Bangkok Gymnastics Invitational Meet (also known as the “Moose Games) in March of this year and Ava Leuthardt placed 7th (All Around) and Esra Solano placed 2nd (All Around). A total of 33 competitive teams from Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Thailand and Japan participated in the competition with a total of 751 athletes vying for medals. Ava placed 9th on the vault, 5th on the uneven bars, 8th on the balance beam and 7th on floor exercise. Esra placed 4th on the vault, 2nd on the uneven bars, 2nd on the balance beam and 4th on floor exercise.

Both Ava and Esra represented EGA with pride, and Coach (and MCCS Gymnastics Program Manager) Tiffany Mills is immensely proud of their progress. “Esra Solano and Ava Leuthardt have been training with me since I opened the competitive training team in January 2021. Their hard work, determination and commitment to EGA’s gymnastics training processes have produced amazing results in their strength and skills. They both set a phenomenal example of balancing gymnastics training, academics and a desire to grow as individuals. Words cannot adequately express how proud I am of

them both, their competitive achievements as well as both of them being such amazing young ladies. I am blessed to have the opportunity to train them and that they’re a part of our EGA gymnastics family” she said.

EGA officially opened to the public on November 16, 2020, and is the first and only gymnastics program on a Marine Corps installation. The program offers both recreational classes and competitive training, with something for toddlers 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 such as Ava and Esra focus on self-discipline, sportsmanship and the value of hard work paired with a can-do attitude.

Both Ava and Esra, along with the rest of the 30-person EGA team, were subsequently invited to compete in an invitational taking place in the Philippines in 2023. The entire EGA team was also invited to compete at the Moose Games in 2024.

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