contents September 2019
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CLOCKWISE: HILLARY TAYLOR, YURIZAP/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM, BON VOYAGE, THIRD, FOURTH AND BOTTOM IMAGES COURTESY OF ANA INTERCONTINENTAL MANZA BEACH RESORT
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On the cover ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is a great place to spend an afternoon of watery fun.
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Behind the Scenes: Logistics Branch Okinawa Living Magazine’s newest section showcases the untiring work of the people behind the scenes who support MCCS operations.
Out+About: Watery Fun Enjoy summer to its fullest at ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort’s water park—featuring a floating obstacle course on the pristine emerald waters of the East China Sea.
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Okinawa’s Best Konbini Battle Royale Join us as we witness the spectacle of a true “battle royale” between the islands’ biggest convenience store chains.
Gama: The Caves of Okinawa The caves of Okinawa serve as reminders of times long past and hard lessons learned, and show off Mother Nature’s talent as an extraordinarily sublime artist.
38 Restaurant Review: Bon Voyage Embark on a culinary adventure in search of delicious French cuisine at this seaside bistro near Araha Beach.
contents September 2019
marines + families 41 Suicide Prevention and Awareness This month, the MCCS Behavioral Health Community Counseling Program will be holding workshops that will provide valuable tools for those willing to help save a life.
43 Strategic Volunteering Although volunteering may not seem like the go-to move for career building, there are some surprising benefits that could pay dividends in your future.
45 Transitioning from Boots to Books Are you preparing to transition out of the military and into college full time? This seminar is for YOU!
kids + parents 47 Youth Sports Basketball & Cheerleading Registration It’s time to sign your kids up to play basketball or take up cheerleading for the 2019 winter season.
services 53
37 dining + entertainment
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19 Beat the Pros at Taiyo Golf Club Show what you’re really made of by challenging the pros at Taiyo.
23 Fall Fit Camp Looking for a way to burn off all those scoops of summer ice cream? Look no further than Fit Camp.
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fitness + fun Learn to Swim Everyone should know how to swim. Not just for fun, but for emergencies or really anything. And there’s no better time to get more comfortable in the water than now.
Okinawa Career Fair 2019 The Okinawa Career Fair is the perfect event to help you build your network and discover exciting new employment opportunities.
Comic Con Gold Pass Exclusive If you plan on coming to this year’s Comic Con Okinawa, why not go all out and get the “golden” experience?
37 Okinapa Wine Festival It’s the wine-tasting and socializing event of the year!
Mensôre
7 Feedback + Show Us!
71 Living on Okinawa
72 Marketplace Guide
75 MCCS News
SEPTEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 259 COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC Brigadier General William J. Bowers 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 Casey Roberts CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jim Kassebaum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Daley MCCS ART DIRECTOR Henry C. Ortega OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTORS Margie Shimabukuro GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Emeline Toole, Ai Jirka EDITORIAL Amanda Carrasquillo DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHER Kailey LaValliere DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Lillion Hunt Hamilton, Hillary Taylor CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Roy Forster ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Terumi Nagai, Serge Sombie MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER Andrew Menges MARKETING ACCOUNTS Alicia Sallese, Courtney Davis, Sophie Schimke DISTRIBUTION Jason Jones
mensôre “Welcome” to Okinawa Living
Stop and Smell the Roses Time has a curious way of running away from us…2019 is already two-thirds over and for many it may still seem like we were wrestling with New Year’s resolutions made last week. For some (such as those counting down to Christmas presents or winter break), this can be taken as a good thing. But as time marches inexorably forward, dragging us along in lockstep, one should remember to “stop and smell the roses” once in a while. As timeworn as this cliché may sound, it doesn’t mean that it should be discounted. Each moment, good or bad, should be used wisely and savored like the finest vintage. There are plenty of ways to spend precious moments on Okinawa. Learned how to swim yet? No? Sign up for Semper Fit Aquatic’s Learn to Swim program and go snorkeling in Okinawa’s pristine seas. Want to learn more about the island? Take a local tour with Tours+. How about spending quality time with friends? The premier winetasting and social event of the year—Okinapa—is just around the corner! The list of amazing things to do on Okinawa is as long as it is worthwhile. Life is just too precious to be counting down the days to PCS back to the familiarity of the United States. Being on Okinawa offers a myriad of opportunities to grow and a million more moments to savor, each one more magical than the last. 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!
SUMMER INTERNS Grace Charkowski, Bryan Vigil
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 mccsokinawa.com
Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief
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MCCS MARKETING BRANCH MCB Camp S.D. Butler. Unit 35023, FPO AP 96378-5023
Okinawa Living is published by MCCS Marketing. Its purpose is to inform the military and civilian community about events and programs offered by MCCS or available in the local market. Dates and times may change. Copyright ©2019 by MCCS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transferred in any form, by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission of the copyright owner. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement of advertisers and sponsors. MCCS is not responsible for editing content of non-MCCS ads. Okinawa Living Magazine is printed with
Take us on the road Enjoy Okinawa Living Magazine on your favorite mobile device! Visit mccsokinawa.com/ol for the latest issue. Also, visit issuu.com/mccsokinawa to see back issues of the magazine.
feedback
from the ICE Program and Facebook Would it be possible for someone to take over the marketing for all the events and offerings from MCCS on the island? I’m tired of missing out on cool things for my kiddos because I didn’t see a random poster on a fence or follow one of the billion FB pages. I don’t think it’s very professional for employees to tell customers they can find out about more events if they followed a FB page. I only have a personal page to keep family updated while we are so far from home. Now I’m supposed to like and follow all the MCCS pages for information? No. How about the company starts advertising more than just their restaurants on the radio? Or on TV? Or in the housing areas? Or maybe just have a very small amount of FB pages? Something is better than nothing.—via ICE My name is Casey Roberts. I am the Deputy Director for MCCS Business and Support Operations. As such, Marketing operations fall under my staff cognizance. I have read your email, with interest, and cannot find any fault in your criticism. While I don’t want to bore you with the “statistics” I can say that this is a large organization with, literally, thousands of activities per year. As such, I ask the Marketing folks to try to exploit every “channel” of communication in hopes that each/all of our customers will be pulsed with information that is useful and timely. That said, I do think there are ways/means that we can tailor our messaging better than we do today, and will endeavor to do so. In the meanwhile, I would suggest that you install the MCCS Okinawa Liberty App on your phone (versions support iPhone or Android) as it includes a wealth of information about what’s happening on Okinawa. Likewise, Okinawa Living (magazine) is available in outlets all over the island and it too contains a great deal of info on what’s going on/scheduled to happen in a given timeframe. Even on Facebook, we have culled out the vast majority of pages and have limited them to specific subject matter, e.g., sporting events. I believe we have 10 pages left. Please let me know if one of those does not meet your need, and we can examine the notion of creating another page. However, as you point out, adding more pages may do more harm than good. We do put banners/billboards in various strategic locations, but do not cover all the geography that we could/ should. Please let me know what housing area you live in, and if it is on a USMC installation, we will increase our level of advertising in that area. I appreciate you taking the time to report. Marketing is a critical function both for our company and for our customers. I will do my best to make sure we are providing the best marketing/advertising coverage that we can. —Casey Roberts
@okilivingmag Show us your island adventures and favorite food finds!
@urs_ramos
Summer Festivals in Okinawa are in full swing, from drummers and dancers, to fireworks. It’s one of my favorite things on the island. Entire towns come out to join in the festivities, including the little ones #okilivingmag
@seductivebuffalo Taco twosday #okinomnoms
@growingupinokinawaa
Okinogu Shrine This shinto shrine in Onoyama Park has incredible views of Naha from the top of the steps and wonderful staff that gave me some information, plus drinks and a snack for Isobel I think it’s these little acts of kindness that we always remember most about a place. #okilivingmag
Domo arigatou gozaimashita and thank you for your posts! We can’t wait to see what else you love about Okinawa! —The Okinawa Living Staff
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 mccsokinawa.com and click on the ICE link at the bottom of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.
SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 7
BEHIND THE SCENES
HILLARY TAYLOR
Support branches of any organization “maintain the machine,” enabling the operators to execute their mission. Without them providing the oil for the engine, the mission would be in danger of failing. Almost never in the spotlight, being seamless and invisible is the surest sign that a support branch is successfully executing its duties. “Behind the Scenes,” Okinawa Living Magazine’s newest section beginning with the September issue, “pops the hood” of the machine and shines the spotlight on the inner workings and dedicated efforts of the people supporting Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) operations. The first branch featured is Logistics. The MCCS Logistics Branch is responsible for motor transportation, facilities maintenance, supply and safety— all vital functions of any organization, whether military or civilian. Logistics has a total of 159 employees in eight facilities working tirelessly to support MCCS’ overall mission to support service members and their families stationed on Okinawa.
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BEHIND THE SCENES
Motor Transportation The mission of MCCS Motor Transportation is to provide safe, reliable and economic transportation services and support for MCCS programs in the form of vehicles, drivers, preventative maintenance, repair and training. Motor T is responsible for a fleet of 270 vehicles ranging from passenger vans and buses that support tours for patrons to trucks and trailers that transport supplies and MCCS personnel. Well over 1.5 million kilometers are traveled annually and over 4,000 hours are spent in vehicle preventative maintenance and repair.
HILLARY TAYLOR
Facilities Maintenance Branch The mission of the MCCS Facilities Maintenance Branch (FMB) is to provide rapid and effective maintenance and repair of all facilities and equipment under its purview. The branch also oversees a full-spectrum facilities improvement program that covers design, maintenance, construction, renovation and cosmetic refurbishment. MCCS FMB oversees 245 facilities throughout the island and answers over 11,000 service calls a year. Currently, they are also responsible for 38 active NonAppropriated Fund (NAF) construction projects to support the overall MCCS mission, including the new Inns of the Corps Camp Hansen covered on p. 75.
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BEHIND THE SCENES BEHIND THE SCENES
MCCS Supply MCCS Supply oversees and accounts for all equipment used by MCCS facilities and employees. In addition, all supplies—from food and drink for the clubs to chairs and desks for workspaces— are received, stored and distributed to camps island-wide by this branch. The MCCS Supply Branch offers 121,319 total square feet of storage and warehouse space, and performs over 11,000 pick-ups and deliveries annually.
HILLARY TAYLOR
MCCS Safety MCCS Safety provides a comprehensive occupational safety and health program for MCCS operations and facilities. They are tasked with providing leadership, training and guidance to ensure adherence to all health, environmental and safety directives overseeing the many services MCCS provides for the community. Most importantly, their role is to ensure that MCCS employees, families and patrons benefit from a safe and healthy environment. To meet their mission requirements, MCCS Safety conducts regular facility inspections to make sure that facilities and employees are in compliance and the safety of personnel is the utmost priority at all times. The MCCS Policy Manual (MSO P1700.27B) states “The MCCS Mission is to make significant lasting contributions to combat readiness through the personal and family readiness of our Marines and their families.” The men and women of the MCCS Logistics Branch team, alongside the entire MCCS workforce, ensure that this mission statement is realized year-round. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 13
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FITNESS + FUN
Swim Meet Hosted by the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team The Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) is hosting a swim meet on Friday, September 20 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Foster Aquatic Center. This meet is open to both youth and adult swimmers on the team, as well as non-ODST and non-SOFA competitive swimmers. Age groups are 8 & under, 9–10, 11–12, 13–14, 15–18, 19–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 and 60 & over. Swimmers’ ages for all meets will be their age as of the 2020 Tokyo Winter Championships (March 7, 2020). Swimmers will be seeded by entry times regardless of age and gender, but will receive awards based on age group and gender. Ribbons will go to the top 8 finishers in each age group by gender for every event.
The order of events are as follows: 400 Free or IM, 100 IM, 50 Back, 100 Back, 25 Back, 200 Choice #1, 100 FREE, 25 Kick with a board, 50 Breast, 100 Breast, 25 Breast, 200 Choice #2, 50 Fly, 100 Fly, 25 Fly, 50 Free and 25 Free. Limit is three individual events per swimmer. ODST youth swimmers will have their events selected for them by their coaches. ODST adult and non-ODST swimmers will choose their own events. Entry is FREE. To enter, email your name, gender, age and events (if applicable) to odst@hotmail.com by September 18. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam.
Learn to Swim
NEJRON PHOTO /BIGSTOCK.COM , SARAH HEAD
Early Fall Session School’s back in session! For most kids, they’re getting back into the grind of class and last-minute studying. Other kids are just waiting to start kindergarten. After looking back on what you did this summer, did you accomplish what you wanted? Maybe it was learning how to swim or going to a new beach. But regardless, everyone should know how to swim. Not just for fun, but for emergencies or really anything. And there’s no better time to get more comfortable in the water than now. Come to MCCS Semper Fit Aquatics’ Early Fall Learn How to Swim sessions. The first session is from September 16 to September 26. Online registration opens on August 29 at 9 a.m. and closes on September 11 at 11 p.m. Walk-in registration (11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–7 p.m. both days) opens on September 12 and closes on September 13 at the Foster Aquatic Center. The second session runs from September 30 to October 10. Online registration opens on September 12 at 9 a.m. and closes on September 25 at 11 p.m. Walk-in registration (also 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–7 p.m. both days) opens on September 26 and closes on September 27. All classes and registration are held at the Foster Aquatic Center. The times for the classes are 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4–7:30 p.m., and all classes are 30 minutes long. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/learntoswim. — Grace Charkowski SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 17
FITNESS + FUN
Beat the Pros… …at Taiyo Golf Club Okinawa is home to many beautiful and challenging golf courses, but none more beautiful and challenging than Taiyo GC. The island is also home to many excellent and talented golfers. Are you one of them? Show what you’re really made of by challenging the pros at Taiyo. On Sunday, September 15, golfers will be offered not one but four opportunities to challenge the pros at Taiyo. First on the list is the long putt—which sounds easy, but true golfers know it isn’t. The second is even more challenging—closest-to-thepin from the tee. The third challenge is a longest-drive competition and the final challenge is another closest-to-the-pin. Winners will receive prizes (not to mention invaluable bragging rights), and challengers falling short will receive consolation prizes. Sign-ups will be accepted the day of the event, but all challengers must tee off before 9 a.m. For more information, call Taiyo GC at 622-2004 (098-954-2004). Visit Taiyo online at mccsokinawa.com/golf.
THOMAS ALAN SMILIE, MIKDAM/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
By Okinawa’s Strongest To help you get ready for this year’s Okinawa’s Strongest, Semper Fit is hosting a strength competition that’ll feature a few of the same events—the Battle of the South. This condensed version of Okinawa’s Strongest will take place on September 8 at Gunners Fitness Center Field #6 (the field adjacent to the fitness center) on Camp Foster. The entry fee is only $20, and the competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. Three strength events will be held back-to-back: the Yoke Carry, Atlas Stone Lift and Farmer’s Carry/Log Clean & Press Scramble. Each event will be timed, and those with the fastest times in each round will receive the highest points for their weight class. At the end, competitors with the highest combined score in their weight class will win FREE entry to the 2019 Okinawa’s Strongest. There will also be awards for first, second and third place in each weight category. The weight classes will be up to 150 lbs, 150–200 lbs and over 200 lbs for males, and up to 150 lbs and over 150 lbs for females. You can register at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center by September 3 (1 p.m.) or at Gunners Fitness Center by September 6 (1 p.m.). For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 19
FITNESS + FUN
Reflect & Remember 9/11 Yoga Memorial
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On September 11, 2001, a domestic passenger plane (American Airlines Flight 11) crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. And just 18 minutes later, as people were quickly evacuating the tower and its twin, a second plane (United Airlines Flight 175) crashed into the south tower. This was when it became clear—America was under attack. A third plane then crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth (which was supposed to be flown toward Washington D.C., but didn’t because the passengers fought back) crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. This was the deadliest terrorist attack in human history, and was also the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in all of U.S. history. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. This September 11, MCCS Health Promotion respectfully invites you to reflect on the 18th anniversary of 9/11 and remember those we lost on that dreadful day through a special meditative yoga session. This session will be held in the aerobics room of Gunners Fitness Center from 6 to 7 p.m. Yoga is about unity, and just as we’ve united to cope with the horrific attacks on our nation, let us unite to remember those who senselessly lost their lives, recognize all who survived and honor the brave sacrifices of every first responder and recovery worker. Join us as we send healing energy to the families and communities affected by this catastrophe. We remember and we will never forget. For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/healthpromotion.
Hosted by Foster SMP The Single Marine Program (SMP) is designed to improve the morale and well-being of all single and/or unaccompanied Marine and Sailors aboard Marine Corps installations. The program encourages single Marines and Sailors to participate in activities based on the components of the program—quality of life, community involvement and recreation. On Friday, September 27, Marines and Sailors on Camp Foster will be able to participate in several exciting activities during the Foster SMP Ultimate Battle and Fear Factor Challenge. Events include the Jr. vs Sr. Cadence Call Competition, Unit Softball Mini-Tournament, HUMVEE Pull Tug-of-War, Dunk Tank, Sensory Box Blindfolds Challenge, Blindfolded Low Crawl Pit, Hot Pepper Eating Contest and more. The Ultimate Battle and Fear Factor Challenge is open to all active duty single or unaccompanied Marines and Sailors stationed on Camp Foster. All are welcome to come cheer on the participants. For more information about this event, visit the Camp Foster SMP Center on the second floor of the Foster Community Center in Bldg. 5908 or contact your Foster SMP Unit representatives. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 21
FITNESS + FUN
Fall Fit Camp It’s Time to Get in Shape Soon it’ll be cooling down on Okinawa, and the time for eating shaved ice, ice cream sandwiches and frozen Hershey bars while chilling on the beach will be over. Not to worry, as getting help while working out will not only help you burn off all those extra accumulated calories, it’ll make you healthier and feel better about summer overindulgence. Thankfully MCCS has the solution and it’s called Fall Fit Camp. Fit Camp training sessions are perfect for those who don’t work out very often, as well as regular exercisers needing an extra kick. Fit Camp can not only help ease people into getting into shape, it can also help people achieve fitness goals in ways they might not have ever dreamed about. This six-week program takes place from September 16 to October 25. It’s a perfect opportunity for anyone with base access that’s ready for circuit-interval personal training to help fulfill their fitness needs and goals. This program takes place at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster and Ironworks Fitness Center on Camp Courtney. All sessions are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Gunners Fitness Center will hold sessions 5–6 a.m. and 5–6 p.m., and Ironworks Fitness Center will hold sessions 5–6 a.m., 9:30–10:30 a.m. and 5:30–6:30 p.m. The cost for the Fall Fit Camp is $199 per person. Registration and payment can be made at the front desk of where the patron intends to train. It’s strongly recommended that patrons do not register or pay at any other camp to prevent confusion with the staff. For more information, contact 645-3910 (098-970-3910) or visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion. —Grace Charkowski
THOMAS ALAN SMILIE
Cyclethon Domestic violence is not just physical abuse—it’s yelling, manipulation, humiliation, stalking, threats and isolation. It’s also keeping tabs online, calling someone stupid until they believe it or any other attempt to gain control over someone. Unfortunately, millions of men, women and children go through this. That’s why it’s important to unite to recognize the prevalence of domestic violence and honor those who have been affected and survived. Next month is dedicated to doing just that, as October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. From October 1 to 18, do your part in raising awareness by joining MCCS Health Promotion’s Break the Cycle Cyclethon. All you have to do is cycle and keep track of your minutes by using our stamp card, which can be downloaded from mccsokinawa. com/groupfitness. You can get your minutes in at any gym, during a cycle class or on your own bicycle! There will be fun incentive prizes throughout the event, as well as
awards for the top 3 participants. And, whoever cycles the most minutes has a chance to win an awesome prize at the end of Dance for a Cause—scheduled to be held on October 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. Dance for a Cause is a night of dance fitness classes that’s being held in order to raise awareness for both domestic violence and breast cancer. There will be MixxedFit, Zumba and STRONG by Zumba. Instructors will take turns leading the group for 10 to 15 minutes before rotating. At the end of the event, attendees will learn about domestic violence and breast cancer. They’ll also receive education materials for both men and women and learn about Behavioral Health services. For more information on either event, visit mccsokinawa.com/ healthpromotion. If you’re dealing with domestic violence or are a survivor in need of support, call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Support Line at 645-7233 (098-970-7233).
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TEXT BY AMANDA CARRASQUILLO LAYOUT BY EMELINE TOOLE
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Each store swears they have the best coffee, but any of them will do if you’re just looking for a quick, cheap and freshly-brewed pick-me-up. FamilyMart and 7-Eleven both have automatic baristas (machines, we mean). You literally just grab a cup, place it under a nozzle and press a button. In appearance alone, FamilyMart’s machine is a little less impressive. However, you can only get a basic cup of Joe (hot/iced) or latte (hot/iced) at 7-Eleven, while FamilyMart offers the same, plus caramel lattes, matcha lattes, cocoa and frappes (all hot or iced). But the downfall is, FamilyMart’s coffee is pretty mild (maybe even a little watery) when compared to the other two. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven wins for anyone in need of something stronger. At Lawson, the cashier makes your cup. It’s probably an attempt to make the service a little more personal, but it’s 2019—we want what’s faster and a little less social. Lawson, however, does have a lot more choices than the other two: coffee (regular/decaf), lattes (regular/decaf), a variety of teas, mocha and cocoa—all available hot or iced. As far as taste goes though, Lawson’s coffee is pretty middle-of-the-road—not quite mild, but not quite strong. So if we take into account both taste and variety…
Lawson has its own brand, called Uchi Café SWEETS, that’s killing the sweets game. Its award-winning Premium Roll Cakes are even giving popular cake shops a run for their money. And there’s all kinds—classic, chocolate, bran, blueberry and more. FamilyMart and 7-Eleven sell their own versions, and they’re good and all, but they don’t really compare. FamilyMart has Famima Premium Series, which offers a nice variety. There’s cookie cream puffs, crème brûlée cakes (the cheesecake one is amazing), pudding and more. This chain is also known for their custard cream taiyaki (the fish-shaped cake often sold at festivals), which are served cold—unlike the ones at festivals. And it seems like the size of many of FamilyMart’s sweets are bigger than its competition. That’s always a plus. 7-Eleven seems a little weak in the cakes department. There wasn’t much that stuck out, and most of their items can be found at Lawson or FamilyMart. But what this store lacks in the cakes game it makes up for with frozen desserts. The store has a large variety of its own specialty frozen desserts like popsicles, ice cream cups, waffle cones, parfaits, macaron ice cream sandwiches—we could do this all day. And although the other two have their own branded range of frozen treats, 7-Eleven appeared to have way more to choose from. Still, nothing is better than a Premium Roll Cake by Lawson…
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NATALIIAK,TONGWONGBOOT,TORSAKARIN, PIYATO/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
Onigiri (rice balls), sando (sandwiches), oden (the heated square metal hot pots near the register filled with yummy delights during the chilly months), pastries, cup noodles, manjyu (steamed buns), salads…the konbini food selection is serious.. But for the sake of time, we rated the typical favs: onigiri, sando and fried chicken. If you don’t know, onigiri is a rice ball stuffed with a filling and wrapped in nori (seaweed). Lawson, FamilyMart and 7-Eleven all generally sell the same thing, with 7-Eleven offering a bit more of a variety, but they all have their own style and flavor. We tried the pickled plum, tuna with mayonnaise and salmon from each store. For the filling, Lawson’s had the least amount, FamilyMart had the most and 7-Eleven was somewhere in the middle. As for the nori, Lawson’s was much softer and thicker than the other two, while FamilyMart and 7-Eleven’s were super crispy. FamilyMart had the best-tasting rice, and 7-Eleven’s onigiri could use a little more flavor. So it’s safe to say FamilyMart blew this one out of the water. Now for sando, there’s all sorts with delicious fillings stuffed between slices of fluffy, soft white bread, but since the egg salad sandwich seems to be everyone’s favorite, that’s what we tried. Lawson, again, had the least amount of filling. The bread, however, was a little thicker than the rest, and the eggs were super creamy with just a hint of sweetness. FamilyMart’s version had a little bit more filling, but the mayo was overbearing. 7-Eleven had the most eggs, but they were less creamy and not as flavorsome as Lawson’s. So since Lawson’s was the best tasting, it gets the W here. FamilyMart won the fried chicken round hands-down with their Fami-chiki. It was by far the tastiest, juiciest and most tender of the bunch. And, they have a lot to choose from, even pieces bigger than your face. Lawson came close with those Karaage Kun fried chicken nuggets though.
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They’re practicality at its finest. And whenever you walk through the konbini doors with a growling stomach, it’s like a holy light shines on them. So you’d probably be happy grabbing one anywhere, especially since most stores carry the usual staples like donburi (rice bowls), curry, soba, udon, tamagoyaki (rolled egg omelet), simmered vegetables, salad and fish. But we’re going to rate by variety and taste. Lawson and FamilyMart are about the same when it comes to selection. And out of the few we tried, Lawson’s seemed to be more of a hit-or-miss, as the rice was a little on the hard side for some. FamilyMart’s rice was nice and fluffy, but in terms of flavor the bento were a little bland. Don’t get us wrong, none of them were bad. They’re definitely still a good choice if you’re looking for a fast, low-cost fix to hunger. When it comes to bento, 7-Eleven has a reputation for being top dog. Take a step inside and you’ll see why. There’s literally twice as many with way more choices, and to top it off, there’s more options when it comes to portion sizes. You can get the usual, somewhat small size or big ones. The salads alone make Lawson’s and FamilyMart’s look tiny. 7-Eleven seems to be more generous with their ingredients too. So since we’re hungry…
All of our challengers carry the same basics—toiletries, stationery items, batteries, clothing, cosmetics, magazines, pet food and medicine—really whatever you can think of. Lawson seemed to have the least amount of options, and FamilyMart had a better variety of hygiene products than its competitors. FamilyMart also carries the oh-so-popular Kanebo Media Cosmetics, which is a lifesaver for anyone who needs a touchup on the go. But this section of each store varies by location (those closer to the beach, for example, offer things like sunscreen, towels, beach balls and other beach-related things), so it’s hard to say who really does it best. The same goes for services—what’s offered generally depends on the location. But you can usually find copy machines (that you can also use to print photos), a ticket machine that allows you to reserve or print tickets for local events, the ability to pay utility bills and ATMs. You can even send or pick up letters and packages at some, or forward your luggage. So we’ll call this one a tie…
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WINNER Of course, it’s all preference—there are many members of Team FamilyMart or Team 7-Eleven each naming their own champ. So what’s the best solution? Try these stores yourself and crown your winner of your own konbini battle royale!
SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 33
SteakN I G H T F E AT U R I N G
Roasted
PRIME RIB S E P T E M B E R 13 KINSER SURFSIDE 5 : 3 0 – 9 P. M . Carved to order. $2.50 per ounce (6 oz. minimum)
A buffet accompanies all entrees and includes au gratin potatoes, penne with vodka cream sauce, garlic green beans, Caesar salad, tomato bisque soup, dinner rolls and butter, iced tea, and coffee as well as assorted homemade desserts. R E S E RVAT I O N S H I G H LY R E CO M M E N D E D .
Alternate entrée options of
Roasted MISO-GLAZED SALMON AND 1/2 Rotisserie CHICKEN Kid’s Menu also available.
637-3137 | mccsokinawa.com/surfside
DINING + ENTERTAINMENT
Comic Con Gold Pass Exclusive Get Yours While You Can! If you plan on coming to this year’s Comic Con Okinawa, why not go all out and get the “golden” experience? The Comic Con Exclusive Gold Pass grants holders special prizes and benefits unavailable to the masses. But get them quick, because the Gold Pass is limited to 300 people. Gold Passes are $25 for adults and $15 for children 2–12. Tickets will go on sale Monday, September 2 via Eventbrite (link on mccsokinawa.com/comiccon). The Comic Con Exclusive Social Event (open only to Gold Pass holders) will be held on Saturday, October 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) at the Globe & Anchor inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. The Gold Pass offers Comic Con enthusiasts the opportunity to socialize with
some Comic Con talent. Get the chance to interact with Gurihiru (a manga artist team), Michael Golden (artist for characters such as Batman, Doctor Strange, G.I. Joe and the Punisher), Peach MoMoKo (a Japanese illustrator published widely with Marvel, Upperdeck and Heavy Metal), Rodney Ramos (artist who has worked on Amazing Spiderman, Iron Man, Green Lantern, Batman and Wonder Woman), Renee Witterstaetter (writer, editor, publisher and colorist who has worked on books featuring Guardians of the Galaxy, Thanos Quest, Hercules, She-Hulk and many others) as well as other talent visiting from mainland Japan and the U.S. This event also includes plenty of exclusive giveaways provided by sponsors and
participating talent. In addition to the giveaways, all Gold Pass holders will be given an exclusive Okinawa Comic Con tote bag full of goodies, which will be distributed at the beginning of the event. Not only that, Gold Pass holders will also be provided exclusive early entry to Comic Con the next day. Comic Con starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 13, but for Gold Pass holders, doors open at 9:30 a.m. Also, exclusive priority entrance at meet-and-greet sessions and preferred seating at all discussion panels will also be provided. For more information on Comic Con Okinawa and the Comic Con Exclusive Gold Pass, visit mccsokinawa.com/comiccon. —Grace Charkowski
SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 35
DINING + ENTERTAINMENT
Okinapa Wine Festival …at Butler Officers’ Club
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At the time of print, tickets were almost completely sold out. However, tickets may become available. For the latest information on availability, call Butler Officers’ Club (BOC) at 645-7530 (098970-7530). For just $45, you can sample fine wine from around the world at Okinapa—a premier wine-tasting and food-pairing event that takes place annually at the BOC on Plaza Housing. This year, Okinapa will be on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14. Both days will run from 5 to 10 p.m. What makes this festival so popular are the exquisite vintages from vendors all over the globe. Attendees can try wine from top wine destinations such as Italy, Argentina, the US (and not just from California), Austria and more. They can also pair their choices with a sensational selection of culinary delights carefully crafted by experts. This is a classy event, so the preferred dress is cocktail attire. In other words, please dress comfortably, but leave the flip-flops, t-shirts and tattered jeans at home. Also, please be responsible; don’t drink and drive. Taxi and daiko services will be available, as well as FREE transportation by MCCS bus shuttles. These buses will run to and from BOC and other on-base locations. To view the bus schedule, visit the MCCS website. Okinapa is open to SOFA personnel, and U.S. and Japanese citizens ages 20 and older. All non-SOFA guests must be accompanied by a SOFA-status individual. Tickets must be purchased by a SOFA member and are limited to four per authorized buyer. Please make sure to bring your ticket or use the Eventbrite app on the night of the event. For more details, visit mccsokinawa. com/okinapa.
First & Third Fridays …at the Habu Pit We all know Friday is the best day of the week. It’s the beginning of the weekend, so how could it not be? Plus, the anticipation of spending a couple days away from work puts pretty much everyone in a good mood. This is why it’s a great day to go out and have fun. Leave catching up on chores and sleep for Saturday and Sunday. Unwind and welcome the weekend every first and third Friday of the month with karaoke, drinks, FREE appetizers and more in the Habu Pit SNCO Lounge on MCAS Futenma. Both first and third Fridays will begin at 5:30 p.m., with FREE hors d’oeuvres being served. A karaoke DJ will begin spinning at 8 p.m. Remember to drink responsibly! Taxis and daiko services are always a phone call away. These events are open to officers, SNCOs, civilian equivalents and authorized guests. Attendees must be 18 or older. For more information, call 636-3081 or visit mccsokinawa. com/habupit. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 37
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Bon Voyage Poolside French Restaurant Text by Amanda Carrasquillo
LEFT PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HILLARY TAYLOR, BON VOYAGE, HILLARY TAYLOR, BON VOYAGE, BON VOYAGE RIGHT PAGE: BON VOYAGE
Hours of Operation Breakfast 6:30–10 a.m. (LO 9:30 a.m.) Dinner 5:30–10 p.m. (LO 9:30 p.m.) Instagram @restaurant_bonvoyage Phone 090-4471-7274 Location 2-16-1 Chatan, Chatan-Town Directions From Camp Foster’s Spot Gate (Gate 4), turn left onto Route 130. Head straight through the next stoplight. Then, at the following stoplight, take a left. Bon Voyage is about 500 meters down the road on the right (just past Hale Noa Café, which is on the left). Payment ¥,CC
Located inside Beachside Condominium adjacent to Araha Beach in Chatan is a little piece of France with a magnificent view of both the pool and ocean—Bon Voyage. Serving true French fare carefully-crafted by Chef Hiroshi Komesu (who boasts over 35 years of experience), Bon Voyage offers a classic ambience with a minimalistic approach to charm. Even so, you’ll find that the best touch isn’t the wall of flowers outside the front door, artwork or relatively cozy choice of furniture—it’s the large glass doors that allow the sun to light up the room. And when the weather is nice, these doors are opened to let in the ocean breeze along with its refreshing scent. It was Beachside Condominium’s Executive Director Rumiko Tamada who decided to bring a taste of France to her establishment—she even traveled to Paris to research the cuisine. While dinner is definitely French haute cuisine, breakfast is actually a mix of Japanese, Chinese and Western food. This, says Rumiko-san, is to accommodate their guests who come from around the world (but don’t worry, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy their breakfast or dinner). Breakfast is served buffet-style with over 20 options, so you can eat to your heart’s content. The menu changes daily, but they usually serve popular dishes like lasagna (yes, for breakfast), pasta, miso soup, pork, tofu tempera,
gōyā tempura, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit, salad and more. You can also enjoy various types of cheese, like naturally smoked and camembert. And, all produce is sourced fresh, local and organic. Dinner is where Chef Hiroshi-san’s expertise truly shines. But before it begins, the restaurant transforms into the perfect romantic setting. White tablecloths are laid out, diligently arranged flowers become centerpieces and napkins are folded with artistic technique, while—if you go at night—the moonlight glistens off the surface of the water. So if you’re looking for somewhere elegant to celebrate a special occasion or to simply impress someone with a classy date night, Bon Voyage is sure to give you an evening to remember. There’s no set menu for dinner (it’s only the chef ’s recommendation), so Chef Hiroshi-san prepares something unique just for your table. And if you’re planning something special, he’s also happy to create the perfect surprise—he’s even helped with several marriage proposals. Guests can enjoy their meal inside the restaurant or out by the pool. Bon Voyage also hosts wedding receptions (there’s a chapel on the 14th floor), banquets and other group settings. Private rooms are available as well, and you can purchase breakfast meal cards to give as gifts or to simply keep until the next time you’re looking for a delicious, all-you-can-eat breakfast. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 39
MARINES + FAMILIES
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
SCHEDULE Sept 9 MCAS Futenma Theater 8–9:15 a.m.
Learn How You Can Make a Difference Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the U.S. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, over 47,000 Americans took their lives in 2017, with an estimated 1,400,000 attempts. Although suicide is a problem that should be addressed openly, there’s still an unrelenting stigma to talking about mental health issues. Because of this, those troubled by thoughts of suicide are often ashamed to talk about it or seek treatment. It’s everyone’s duty to overcome this silence and make a difference—one that could mean the difference between life and death. But how, you ask? This month, the MCCS Behavioral Health Community Counseling Program will be holding workshops that will provide valuable tools for those willing to help save a life.
These workshops are in the form of interactive performances facilitated by Pure Praxis—a contracted agency of performance facilitators and actor-advocates that specialize in Performance Education Workshops. At these workshops, participants will learn how to better define and understand depression, suicide and empathy as well as learn to recognize suicidal signs and behaviors and how they can positively influence an at-risk individual. Participants will also learn how to encourage the individual to seek assistance and how to ask the hard questions that can possibly save them from self-harm. For more information on Pure Praxis Suicide Awareness and Prevention Bystander Intervention, call 645-2915 (098-970-2915) or visit mccsokinawa.com/communitycounseling.
Camp Kinser Theater 10:30–11:45 a.m. Camp Courtney Theater 2–3:15 p.m. Sept 10 Camp Schwab Theater 8:30–9:45 a.m. Camp Hansen Chapel Two 1–2:15 p.m. 3–4:15 p.m. Sept 11 Camp Foster Theater 8–9:15 a.m. 1–2:15 p.m. 3–4:15 p.m.
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Walk for Life Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5k Run & Walk Join the MCCS Community Counseling Program on Saturday, September 7 at Gunners Fitness Center for the Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5k Run & Walk. The event will begin at 7 a.m. This event will spread awareness of suicide prevention and unify the community. The 5k walk/run is open to all SOFA status personnel. Also, strollers and pets are welcome. To join, register at Eventbrite or on-site on the day of the event. For more information, call 645-2915 (098-970-2915) or visit mccsokinawa.com/communitycounseling. For those struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, FREE and confidential emotional support is available any time by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For those wishing to chat online, help is also available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Active-duty Marines and their beneficiaries can also contact the DSTRESS Line. This call center provides 24/7 anonymous phone and chat referral services using a Marine-to-Marine approach. Help is available via phone at 1-877-476-7734 or 645-7734 (098-970-7734), or online via chat at usmc-mccs.org/services/support/dstress-line. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 41
MARINES + FAMILIES
Strategic Volunteering Build Your Resume and Help Your Community!
(From left to right) Hikaru Gray, Kelly Rockwood, Aya Espiritu and Captain David Krulak, Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Ombudsman Appreciation Day Ombudsman Appreciation Day is on Saturday, September 14. So if you have a chance, make sure to thank those who work tirelessly to improve the lives of Sailors and their families. What is an ombudsman? In the US Navy, ombudsman are volunteers appointed by a commanding officer (CO) and trained to work in informational and referral services to serve as a liaison between command families and the command. They help command family members gain the assistance that they need to succeed as part of the extended Navy family. An ombudsman’s role is crucial, as they safeguard the rights and well-being of the Navy community through their many duties—such as keeping the CO informed regarding the health, morale and welfare of the command families, attending monthly assembly meetings to stay up-to-date with Navy policies and training, serving as a source of information during emergencies and so much more. September 14 is set aside to thank these volunteers for helping take care of Sailors and their families. Kelly Rockwood and Aya Espiritu,
pictured above, are the latest additions to the ombudsman family—both completed their Ombudsman Basic Training in July, 2019. Selected by Captain David Krulak, Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, they were subsequently mentored by resident ombudsman, Hikaru Gray. Interested in joining the ombudsman team? The U.S. Naval Hospital on Camp Foster is looking for an enlisted spouse, and Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa (CFAO) is looking for one or two spouses who are eager to serve Sailors and their families of CFAO and their tenant commands. To inquire, please communicate with the respective command ombudsman or Command Master Chief. You can also attend the three-day Ombudsman Basic Training during Navy Support Week (September 30–October 4). To register, visit mccsokinawa.com/mcftb. For more information on ombudsman, as well as other Navy support services available on Okinawa, visit mccsokinawa. com/navysupport.
When coming to Okinawa, finding a job can be difficult. You either don’t have the right qualifications, the positions are all taken or there simply aren’t any jobs available that you’re interested in. What’s the next best thing that’ll help you reach your career goals? Volunteering! Volunteering may not seem like the go-to move, but there are some surprising benefits. For example, it helps gain employment and fill resume gaps. Not working for a while doesn’t look too good on your resume. It can create gaps, which then makes it harder to get hired and reach your career goals. Volunteering also provides experience and networking that prepare you for your ideal job. Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to learn about a work environment and culture, before actually joining a team. While volunteering, you might realize that working in a particular work field just isn’t for you. No matter your role while volunteering you will be doing some good in your community. There’s always something to be done or fixed around you. Luckily on Okinawa, there’s the perfect opportunity to start on your career goal journey. The MCCS Volunteer Program is dedicated to identifying and connecting volunteers with opportunities for military spouses and families on Okinawa. To start volunteering today, identify your passion or career goal, then collaborate with the MCCS Volunteer Coordinator to align your career goals with volunteering opportunities. To register for one of our upcoming workshops to find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you, visit mccsokinawa.com/volunteer. —Grace Charkowski
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MARINES + FAMILIES
Transitioning from Boots to Books Going From Active Duty to Full-Time College Student
Make Okinawa Home Learn How to Speak the Language! Is this your first time on Okinawa? You may be a bit unsure (and possibly apprehensive) about what’s in store outside the gates. Maybe this is your second or third time on Okinawa and you want to learn more about the Okinawan and Japanese cultures. Whether you’re an islandneophyte or weathered veteran, it’s important to learn more about Okinawa and Japan and better understand the local etiquette, culture
and traditions to make us better ambassadors and guests on this tropical paradise. And, there’s no better place to start than learning how to speak to our hosts in their own language! The FREE Japanese Survival Writing class offered by MCCS Personal & Professional Development-Resources (P&PD-R) is a great place to become more familiar with the language of your home-awayfrom-home. This class teaches
the basics of Japanese writing used in everyday signs—including hiragana, katakana and some kanji characters. The next class will be held September 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the P&PD-R Center (Bldg. 445) on Camp Foster. For more information on this offering and more, call 645-2104 (098-970-2104) or visit mccsokinawa.com/ culturalawareness.
Are you preparing to transition out of the military and into college? This seminar is for YOU! MCCS Education Centers will be hosting Transitioning from Boots to Books Lunchtime Seminars on September 11 at the Foster Education Center and September 18 at the Hansen Education Center. Both seminars will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will cover topics such as choosing a college, funding your education and college admissions. The seminars will include a career assessment. No registration is required to attend. Call 645-7160 (098-970-2160) for details.
Change Your Life
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…Through Better Money Management Gain control over your finances by attending a Money Management workshop hosted by the Personal Financial Management Program. This interactive hands-on workshop will teach you how to develop a personal budget, detail your income and expenses, establish a savings plan, determine your debt-to-income ratio and learn how to build or rebuild a credit record/rating. This workshop will be held September 6 in the P&PD-R Center on Camp Courtney (Bldg. 4425), September 18 in the P&PD-R Center on Camp Hansen (Bldg. 2339), September 24 in the P&PD-R Center on Camp Foster (Bldg. 445) and the MCAS Futenma Education Center (Bldg. 407), September 25 in the Camp Schwab Education Center (Bldg. 3429) and September 26 in the P&PD-R Center on Camp Kinser located inside Bldg. 1220. All sessions run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please bring to class a current LES, bank statements, investment statements and statements of debt/obligation. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/finance. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 45
KIDS + PARENTS
2019 Youth Basketball & Cheerleading
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Register NOW! Participating in team sports at a young age has lasting positive impacts—both physically and emotionally. For starters, it promotes cooperative play, teamwork and sportsmanship. It also helps improve motor skills and self-esteem. And, of course, it’s also a great and fun way to make new friends. Registration for the Youth Sports 2019 Winter Basketball and Cheerleading season is almost over! Your last chance to sign up your athlete is September 15, so make sure to head to your nearest staffed MCCS Fitness Center or visit mccsokinawa.com/youthsports. All basketball players and cheerleaders ages 5 to 18 are welcome to join. Children 4 years of age are also welcome, but only if they turn 5 before the final day of the season. A $60 fee along with proof-of-age (ID, passport, birth certificate, etc.) is required and can be paid at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center. Practices begin October 14, and the official season runs from October 25
to January 25. If you’re an adult athlete that would like to pass your knowledge on to the next generation, or you’re a parent who would love to spend more time with their child, MCCS Youth Sports is looking for fun and dedicated individuals to coach. Make a positive impact in both the community and in a child’s life, and teach life-lessons they’ll carry into adulthood. After all, to coach is to play an active role in a child’s future. You’re more than just a coach; you’re a mentor, a hero and a friend. So challenge yourself and motivate kids with this rewarding undertaking. Youth Sports recruits coaches all-year-round—not just during registration period. If you’re interested, download an application from mccsokinawa.com/coachescorner and turn it in at your local staffed MCCS Fitness Center. For more information, visit the MCCS Youth Sports website, call 645-5333 or email youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 47
KIDS + PARENTS
Bouncy Houses A Cure for the End-of Summer Blues Summer is winding down; the vacation is over and kids are once again on the dailyschool-grind. While school can be fun (and is definitely worthwhile), many tykes are probably daydreaming about having a blast with friends romping outdoors. Why not make their daydream come true with a Saturday or Sunday afternoon of bouncy fun? The ultimate cure for the back-to-school blues— namely bounce houses—are available for rent through MCCS Special Events. Not just for birthdays and special occasions, bounce houses are the perfect tool for bringing a smile to a kid’s face and making their eyes go aglow with happiness. Invite the neighborhood kids for a bouncy block party. Bounce houses are, customizable to fit any occasion. Choose from 12 different themes including Marvel Avenger characters, Disney Princesses, Hello Kitty, Jurassic Park and more. For more information, call MCCS Special Events at 645-5828 (098-970-5828) or visit mccsokinawa.com/bouncers.
End of Summer Luau Family Fun Nights
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Because There’s Lots to Celebrate! Summer is coming to a close and we’re welcoming autumn with open arms. Sure, summer has been filled with excitement and memories that we will continue to share, but it’s no secret that we’re a little tired of the Okinawa summer heat and ready for a change in weather. Besides the fact that we’re transitioning from summer to autumn, “moving season” just ended! Meaning there’s a lot of new families on island—whether they’re returning to Okinawa or they’re new to the overseas adventure. Needless to say, there are quite a few things to celebrate! With celebration in mind, MCCS is hosting End of Summer Luau Family Fun Nights—a great way for new families on island to have fun while mingling and meeting other families. Participants can enjoy an all-you-can-eat, kid-friendly, Hawaiian-themed buffet; prizes and giveaways, and for the whole family including cereal lei-making crafts and hula hoop and limbo contests. As the theme is “End of Summer Luau,” families should come dressed in their favorite tropical getup. The cost for the End of Summer Luau Family Fun Nights is $7.95 for adults, $3.95 for children (5–11) and FREE for kids under 5. The event will take place at Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster, September 18, as well as at Surfside on Camp Kinser September 26. Both events run from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, call a participating club or visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs. —Grace Charkowski SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 49
SERVICES
MCFTB Featured Classes
Foster Custom Shop Engraved Gifts for all Occasions
GSTOCKSTUDIO/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
Looking for a going-away present, retirement gift or maybe even a custom-engraved trophy? The Foster Custom Shop is here to help! They specialize in plaques, trophies and engraving on a variety of materials such as acrylic and wood. They can add custom logos and even write in kanji to give gift items a unique Japanese feel. Know any winners? Whether it’s to honor the world’s greatest dad on Father’s Day, the MVP of the inter-office softball tournament or 20 years of dedicated service to the USMC, greatness and great deeds should not go unrecognized. The Foster Custom Shop is open Monday– Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and is located in the Camp Foster Community Center (Bldg. 5908). For more information on engraving services and their other offerings, call 645-0126 (098-970-0126) or visit mccsokinawa.com/customshop.
Okinawa Career Fair 2019 Featuring Over 30 Potential Employers Make sure your resume is ready to go for the Okinawa Career Fair! Scheduled for October 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium, this is the perfect event to help you build your network and discover employment opportunities. The Okinawa Career Fair will feature over 30 employers—both MCCS and non-MCCS—offering a vast variety of career opportunities: General Schedule (GS), Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) and contracting; parttime, full-time and flexible; and remote, telecommute, stateside and local. Attendees can also attend various workshops, such as a private employer information session with Amazon Web Services, and seminars on the MCCS employment/hiring process, MCCS Volunteer Program (a great place to start for anyone in need of experience or who may have some resume gaps) and much more. If you’re planning on taking advantage of this event, here’s a few tips to help you succeed: dress for success, bring supplies (a few pens, a notepad and extra copies of your resume), collect business cards and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s also a good idea to follow-up with employers, as they’ll be receiving quite a few applications. The Okinawa Career Fair is open to anyone eligible for SOFA employment. For more information, call 645-3052 (098-970-3052) or visit mccsokinawa.com/jobs. SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 51
SERVICES
Columbus Day Sale …at Foster Framing and Fine Arts From October 8 to 12, get 15% off all materials for your custom frame when you place an order at Foster Framing and Fine Arts. Foster Framing and Fine Arts carries over 500 custom frames and 800 mats, leading to a dizzying possibility of designs. But don’t worry, the staff is there to help guide you through the process and ensure you’re happy with how your artworks looks. And with ball season coming up, this is a great time to transform military uniforms, awards and accomplishments into distinctive displays. Foster Framing and Fine Arts is located inside the Camp Foster Community Center (Bldg. 5908). The hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This sale is only applicable to same-day purchases and excludes all preorders. This sale also applies to all materials bought for DIY customers who have taken the Build Your Own Frame class. For more information, call 645-3674 (098970-3674) or visit mccsokinawa.com/ framingandfinearts.
Sale!
Ikebana Class AVLNTN/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
Learn the Art of Flower Arranging The word "ikebana" translates to the Japanese art of flower arrangement—a 500-year old tradition that consists of combining living individual works of art (i.e. flowers) into a single sublime masterpiece. Ikebana, which was practiced by ancient samurai warriors, was not only used to create art but also as a way to meditate. So if you’re looking to decorate your home with a bit of Zen, join us for our Ikebana Japanese Flower Arranging classes at Foster Framing and Fine Arts (located inside Bldg. 5908, the Community Center on Camp Foster)! The class is $85 for four 2-hour classes and the flowers will be provided at each class. Classes are available on Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Students will be required to provide their own flat vase and kenzan (base). To register for a class or for more information, contact 645-3674 (098-970-3674), email artsandcrafts@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or visit mccsokinawa.com/framingandfinearts. —Grace Charkowski
Computers, Furniture and More! Did you know that MCCS conducts weekly sales of excess Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) property every Wednesday? Items such as computers, monitors, furniture, sporting equipment, recreational equipment and more are usually available. These sales take place on Camp Foster in Bldg. 5601 (up behind the Commissary) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are open to SOFA-status personnel only from 8 to 11 a.m. All other shoppers may make cash-only purchases from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about these sales, contact MCCS Supply at 645-3636 (098-970-3636). SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 53
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watery
OUT + ABOUT
SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 55
TROY’s Military and Family Scholarship caps the cost of tuition at $250 per credit hour for active military. Also, your spouse and dependents receive up to 50% in tuition savings. CONTACT THE PROGRAM
COORDINATOR NEAREST YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION
KADENA AB kadena@troy.edu DSN 634-7464
OSAN AB osan@troy.edu DSN 784-5141
MISAWA AB misawa@troy.edu DSN 226-3748
CAMP HUMPHREYS humphreys@troy.edu DSN 755-3534
troy.edu/pacific
for
Troops Center
TERM II, 2019 Oct. 14 - Dec. 15, 2019 Application Deadline: 10/04/19 Registration Begins: 09/23/19 TERM III, 2020 Jan. 6 - Mar. 8, 2020 Application Deadline: 12/20/19 Registration Begins: 11/25/19 TERM IV, 2020 Mar. 16 - May 17, 2020 Application Deadline: 03/06/20 Registration Begins: 02/24/20 TERM V, 2020 May 26 – July 26, 2020 Application Deadline: 05/15/20 Registration Begins: 05/04/20
CLOCKWISE: ANA MANZA, EVGENIIAND/BIGSTOCK.COM, ANA MANZA
OUT + ABOUT
ana InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is located on a cape near one of Okinawa’s mostrecognized and oft-photographed landmarks—Manzamo. A mecca for tourists, Manza Beach Resort is, of course, equipped with pools. However, the best part of the resort features H2Orelated fun on a scale that's several digits higher than ever possible in an enclosed body of water. Imagine, if you can, a vast inflatable playground afloat in the shallow pristine waters of the East China Sea anchored right off a beautiful beach.
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OUT + ABOUT
Manza Beach Resort features an ocean park with over 20 floating mini-islands of delight bobbing atop the fish-filled waters off the sandy coastline. Originally opened in 2014, Manza Beach Resort’s Ocean Park has grown into the largest of its kind in Japan—with the most beautiful locale by far. The park is separated into two sections—a kid’s course and an adult’s course modeled after the American Ninja Warrior (known in Japan as "Sasuke"). The "Ninja Warrior" course is divided into A, B, C and D sections, which vary in difficulty and are open to children. The kid’s course remains for smaller tykes, though. From mock-rock climbing and tower scaling
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Both children and kids-at-heart will be in a watery state of nirvana
to mini slides and jungle gyms, both children and kids-at-heart will be in a watery state of nirvana for the whole day—wearing the requisite personal flotation device (available for free) of course.
For more information, visit ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en.
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MCCS PHOTO
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M
any envision a yawning pit that seems to lead to the center of the earth. Some think of tunnels that can only be traversed on hands and knees and passages that get skinnier with every nudge forward. Others shudder at the sounds of dripping water and the scuttling and squeaking of thousands of bats. A few people may even envision caves as a gaping maw of a subterranean beast lined with long fangs waiting to slam shut the moment they step into range. Although caves are definitely not for the claustrophobic, sometimes a small aperture can open up to a cathederal-esqe place of solitude teeming with life and breathtaking beauty. On Okinawa, caves—which are known as gama in the native language Uchināguchi—have served as places of worship, hospitals and clinics, places of burial, shelter from bombs, defensive positions for Japanese forces as well as hiding places for Okinawans during and after World War II. Today, the caves of Okinawa not only serve as reminders to all that enter of times long past and hard lessons learned, they also show off Mother Nature’s talent as an extraordinarily sublime artist. Caverns are formed when acidic groundwater slowly dissolves limestone over thousands of years—and the bulk of Okinawa is composed of coral fossilized into this selfsame mineral. The composition of rock coupled with plentiful rainfall created numerous caves throughout the island ranging from minor crevasses to 5 kilometer long gama with hundreds of thousands of colossal stalagmites and stalactites, myriads of strange formations and intricate multicolored pillars. Most of the entrances to the larger caves on Okinawa are blocked off, usually for safety reasons. And although many of the larger, more intricate caves (as well as ones that contain artifacts or carry historic significance) are open to the public, they aren’t open to collectors of relics or for unsupervised spelunking. There are many caves in the remote parts of northern and southern Okinawa as well as the outlying islands that remain untouched since the war—other than ones which local Okinawans use for purposes such as the storing and aging of awamori. These caves, which are located both above and below the ocean, can almost be classified as belonging to another dimension—worlds filled with extraordinary beauty, life forms that could star in a science fiction film and natural formations that seem to defy both logic and gravity with nonchalant impunity.
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There are still quite a few alive on Okinawa who experienced World War II firsthand as children, and many of them remember seeing the inside of a cave at one time either during or after the conflict. While there are many sad stories and countless tales of horror, there are just as many stories of courage and redemption—all of which occurred in or around gama. Many people who survived these difficult times learned important lessons inside caves during and after the war, and these lessons are passed on from generation to generation. The importance of caves such as Abuchiragama and Todoroki-gama, as well as those that housed the Haebaru Infantry Field Hospital cannot be measured. Mere mention of some of the gama names are enough to bring tears to many people’s eyes. Abuchira-gama, located in Tamagusuku Village, is a fairly large cave around 269 meters long. A small stream and the remains of a tiny earthen oven remain, along with soldiers’ shoes, ammunition remains and bone fragments. These artifacts give mute testimony to the horrors the cave saw during the Battle of Okinawa. Towards the end of the war, Todoroki Cave, which is located in Itoman, served as a refuge to thousands of Okinawans and its confines still seem to echo with the cries of refugees and the war wounded. The caves that previously housed the Haebaru Infantry Field Hospital Third Surgery Unit is now marked by Himeyuri-no-Tô—a monument built to honor and remember 201 students and 16 members of the teaching staff from Okinawa Women’s Normal School and First Prefectural High School who were conscripted as nurses and died close to these caves during the war.
Almost everyone knows a little bit about stalactites and stalagmites from elementary school—whether they have ever set foot in a cave or not. These formations are the most recognizable attributes of a cave. Stalactites are known as shōnyūseki in Japanese and a typical specimen usually resembles an icicle hanging from the ceiling turned to stone (or the aforementioned long fangs). Both icicles and shōnyūseki are formed in a similar manner— which explains the resemblance. Both stalactites and stalagmites, or sekijyun, grow from the ceilings and floors of caves and are formed over thousands of years by water laced with dissolved calcium dripping from the caverns’ ceilings. Sekijyun and shōnyūseki can grow to monstrous sizes and come in every imaginable shape, from spindly broomsticks and broad, flat disks, to multi-tiered columns that would not look out of place in an ancient Greek temple. The shape of the formation is usually determined by the height and the atmospheric conditions of the cave, and the amount and composition of water dripping from the ceiling. The colorization of formations is also determined by water composition—mostly by different kinds of impurities in the water building up over the centuries. Stalactites usually have pointed tips because of water dripping off of them, and stalagmites are usually rounded, sometimes even flat, because they are being dripped on—both good things to remember when pictures of stalactites and stalagmites are taken without any reference to up or down.
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Some caves on Okinawa are known as sacred places of power where supplicants pray for fertility, success in business or a break in bad luck. Many believers think of these places of power as utaki—a kind of portal to the supernatural world. And on auspicious days, this door is opened and various deities communicate with villagers. Although the most holy of these places are off-limits to men, and entrance to some are forbidden to everyone but a few select yuta or noro (seers and mediums) offering prayers on behalf of a client, some are accessible to all supplicants. The cave located behind Futenma Shrine in Ginowan City is one such place. With a total length of 280 meters, this gama is made up of three open grottos. The largest of the three is 15 meters wide and its ceiling is 6 meters from the ground. Many Okinawans come to this chamber, which is known as the inner shrine, to pray in front of two large stones representing fertility to be blessed with children. Niiyateiya Cave, which is located on the western coast of Ie Island is another sacred gama. The people of Ie Island believe that if a husband and wife without children visit this cave and are able to lift the heavy stone inside, they would be blessed with a child within a year. Niiyateiya Cave is also known as “Sennin-gama” (a cave for a thousand people) and was used as an air-raid shelter during World War II.
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Gyokusendo, located in Haebaru Town in southern Okinawa, was also used as a shelter during the war. Although many remarked on the size and beauty of the cave, they never knew at the time just how long the cave actually was. When Gyokusendo was finally surveyed in 1967, it was found to be about 5,000 meters in length, and was the second longest cave yet discovered in Japan. Approximately 890 meters of the cave was opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1972. Today, the cave that once provided safety from danger teaches children of this generation about the patience and beauty of nature. The cave boasts over 900,000 stalactites, grown over many thousands of years, hanging from the ceilings— reputedly the most in Japan. Gyokusendo has one of the largest collections of stalactites and stalagmites of any cave in Asia. Although some may never overcome their fear of caves, more and more today are recognizing the value and significance of them. They are natural museums filled with priceless, one-of-a-kind sculptures that cannot be seen anywhere else. And because of their history and importance during the war, the gama of Okinawa are also places of learning lessons about history that should not be repeated. The memories that they house will continue to echo offering lessons for generations to come. MCCS Tours+ offers several regular tours to several caves on Okinawa. For more information, call them at 646-3502 (098-971-3502).
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LIVING ON OKINAWA
Yakizakana (broiled teriyaki-style fish) Ingredients 4 slices of deboned fresh fish (filets of salmon or other favorite—cut to 3/4 to 1 inch thickness) 2 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp. sake (Japanese rice wine) 3 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. mirin (sweet cooking wine) 1–2 tsp vegetable oil Preparation 1. Mix together the sugar, sake, soy sauce and mirin and set aside. 2. Heat oil in a medium-sized pan and slightly brown fish on one side (not the skinned side if applicable). 3. Flip over fish, add condiments and quickly cover. 4. Lower heat and simmer until liquid evaporates. Then turn over gently to prevent the fish from breaking apart. 5. When done (approximately five minutes depending on the size of the slice), lightly broil the skin side of the fish until crispy.
PIYATO/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM, EBFOTO/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
Tsukimi—Moon Viewing When you were a child, did you believe the moon was made out of a lunar variety of Swiss cheese? Or, did the shadowy shapes represent the face of the “man in the moon?” In Japan, many children also see a shape on the surface of Luna—a rabbit. To Japanese children’s eyes, the dark shape on the moon resembles a large lunar hare pounding rice into dumplings called mochi with a wooden hammer. Although the patterns on a full moon are pretty much the same throughout the world, people often see different things depending on their country of origin. For example, people in some parts of the world see a Native American’s face and others see a crab. Many Chinese see the same rabbit that Japanese children describe, only the hare is grinding herbs. The people of Japan have been admiring the moon since ancient times. Many enjoy moon-viewing parties called tsukimi during mid- to late-September. Modern day tsukimi are, of course, for enjoying the beautiful moon with friends. However, during the days of old, tsukimi was a solemn occasion when farmers prayed to the moon for a bountiful harvest by offering mochi dumplings with pampas grasses. Tsukimi parties were popular during the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom, high above Naha on the ramparts of Shuri Castle. Regardless of ancient superstitions, the full moon is especially beautiful this time of the year, mostly because the late summer air tends to be very clear. Chushu-no-Utage, the mid-autumn banquet that's still held at Shuri Castle today, is an excellent opportunity to catch the rising of the full moon in one of Okinawa’s ancient castles.
Uchinâguchi Corner English
Japanese
Uchinâguchi
Do you speak English?
Nihongo hanasemasu ka? (Do you speak Japanese?)
Uchinâguchi hanasabiimi? (Do you speak Uchinâguchi?) SEPTEMBER 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 71
Commercial Ad Directory
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MCCS NEWS
The new Inns of the Corps Camp Hansen held its grand opening on August 19. The new facility is located behind the Exchange in Bldg. 2413, close to the Hansen House of Pain Fitness Center, Aquatic Center and Strikers Bowling Center. Guests can now enjoy pristine rooms at a convenient location for all activities on and around Camp Hansen. This facility is the first build of the newly designed Inns of the Corps brand standards. It has a total of 36 rooms, with 26 standard rooms and 10 extended-stay suites. All standard rooms come with two queen-sized beds, a refrigerator and a microwave. Extended stay suites come with a private bedroom with a queen-sized bed, living room with a pullout sofa and a full kitchen. There are also two petfriendly rooms (one standard and one extended stay). Pet fees are only $10 per night, and all room rates are seasonal. However, starting in September and lasting until December 31, all standard rooms and extended stay suites will be just $160 per night. Inns of the Corps Camp Hansen is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Check-in time is 3 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. (late check-out is available upon request). The Guest Reception Desk has a small selection of retail items such as toiletries, snacks, beer and wine. Guests
above 18 years of age can also have some fun in the game room, which features slot machines and is open 24/7. Future guests will be happy to know that a complimentary continental breakfast, provided by The Palms, will be available every morning in the dining area for all guests to enjoy. The food will be served buffet-style and the menu items rotate daily—giving guests a nice variety and a great start to their day. No matter the reason for traveling—whether it is for a getaway, a permanent change of station or temporary additional duty—Inns of the Corps Camp Hansen is committed to ensuring guests are as comfortable as possible. “I think the new Inns of the Corps Camp Hansen is a beautiful facility. The rooms are extremely comfortable and fit the needs of Marines, Sailors and their families perfectly,” says MCCS Lodging Program Manager Sid Hattangadi. “We are beyond excited for future guests to have a refreshing experience and look forward to providing unmatched hospitality and comfort.” For more information about the new Inns of the Corps Camp Hansen, call 623-4511 (098-969-4511) or visit mccsokinawa.com/ hansen_lodge.
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