Okinawa Living Magazine February 2022

February 2022 | Issue 288

contents February 2022

8

16 56 Out+About

features

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56

Quality Time… ...with Your Valentine Okinawa is the perfect place for spending time and making memories with the one you love.

Uchinānchu Cetaceans Neither dictionary nor any lexicon could be used to describe the childlike joy felt when watching whales and dolphins—especially in their natural habitat.

16

On the cover If you’ve ever felt an upwelling of elation when seeing a dolphin (or a whale), you’re not alone!

All events and offerings are subject to change/cancellation based on current HPCON safety protocols.

Sushi Bite-Sized Works of Art It would be an absolute shame to miss out on this culinary art—a treasured part of Japan’s culture.

contents February 2022

dining + entertainment 39 Valentine’s at the Clubs MCCS Chefs are setting the tables and crafting menus for elegant and exclusive Valentine’s events.

Time to spoil your love with a fabulous meal!

45 FREE Coffee!

Say what? Introducing the new Bonsai Coffee Stamp Card—with each purchase you’ll be that much closer to a hand-crafted beverage on us.

kids + parents 47 Gotta Catch ’Em All February 27 is National Pokémon Day. We “choose you” to come out and celebrate at the libraries!

services 51

27 fitness + fun

marines + families

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33

Camp Kinser Bike Race Is your competitive spirit off the chain? Stay set on winning as you cruise the 37k course on Camp Kinser.

Camp Foster Book Club Join in every third Thursday for meaningful discussions with book lovers just like you.

This month’s pick is Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead.

29 Live the Dream Make the most of your time on Okinawa and set yourself up for a new career with the PADI Instructor Development Course from Tsunami Scuba.

31 Heart Healthy Spinathon It’s Heart Health Month. Get your blood pumping at the Spinathon—three hours of moving and grooving!

37 Paint Night with Your Pals Gather your best buds and create something you love at your own private paint night event.

FREE Stuff Yep, that’s right. MCCS offers a wide range of FREE activities. Make sure to take advantage of these awesome perks!

extras 5 Mensôre

7 Feedback & Show Us!

69 Living on Okinawa

70 Marketplace Guide

FEBRUARY 2022 | ISSUE 288 COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC Major 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 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, Emeline Toole GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Giulia Pulvirenti, Mayar Mahmoud, Rebecca Lambertsen DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHER Mia Cox EDITORIAL Angie Andrews, Kiara Klein DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Roxine Ami, Jaci Mullally, Kirstin Spanu CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Roy Forster ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Terumi Nagai, Crystal Rivas, Ronshanda Perkins MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER Andrew Menges MARKETING ACCOUNTS Leah Scrybalo, Bethany Ramirez Latoya Cardona, Deanna Berg DISTRIBUTION Brian Jones

mensôre “Welcome” to Okinawa Living

A Happy Valentine Let the countdown to February 14 commence! And, I’m not talking about the Super Bowl—which will air the same day in the early morning here on Okinawa—I’m talking about Valentine’s Day, of course.

Whether you’re someone that can feel its approach warming the air, giving way to the scent of delicate blossoms, or you’re completely and blissfully oblivious to St. Valentine’s Day, one thing is certain—forget a gift for that special someone on February 14 and you may find out that camping outside in February is a cold proposition even on Okinawa.

Gifts can, of course, be of a floral nature, something distilled from cacao beans or a delicate fragrance encased in a tiny ornate (but exorbitantly priced) bottle. However, the best and most cherished gifts—Valentine’s or otherwise—oftentimes aren’t the ones that can be purchased in stores or online.

Before someone takes this as an excuse to completely bypass purchasing a Valentine’s Day gift in effort to use the monies saved on a PlayStation 5, or a year’s-worth of Apple One, that’s not what’s implied.

The answer is quite simple: quality time.

Spending quality time together is the greatest gift of all, is it not? And, what better place than a beautiful subtropical island to enjoy activities with that special someone? For more ideas on places to go and things to do with that special someone on Valentine’s Day, turn to p. 8.

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! 

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)

Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief

See our advertising rates at mccsokinawa.com

DIZANNA/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

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 ©2022

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 Lester Middle School would like to thank the management and staff of TERRA for the exceptional service that they provided at our holiday dinner in their Global Room. The manager was professional, supportive and covered every detail. She called to give us all the information that we needed and even had the room ready early for us. The chef personally came out before the meal to check on the details of our order, and the food that he prepared was delicious. Our servers in the room were also amazing, attending to all our needs with speed and precision.

Everyone at TERRA seemed to genuinely care about our experience in their restaurant. We are so pleased to have been taken care of so well.

—via ICE

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

@dannicruzz

New Year. Same Us. #okilivingmag

I really enjoyed watching the holiday parade with Santa on Camp Foster—the lights and the great presentation warmed our hearts. Thank you for taking the time to give us an extraordinary show that made spending the holidays overseas enjoyable. We really appreciate the thought, planning and effort that was put into creating such a beautiful show. It was a great way to kick off the holiday festivities!

—via ICE This place [the Camp Hansen Transition Readiness Program] is nothing short of amazing! The staff are exceptionally professional and very friendly.

—via ICE Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience with the Transition Readiness Program team on Camp Hansen—we will be sure to share your sentiments with all team members. We look forward to your continued success in the future. If you should need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you!

—Joanne Whitman, Transition Program Manager, Marine and Family Programs-Resources

@chia.1015 #okilivingmag

The 3D printer guy at the Schwab Library is really cool, and the rest of the staff is super helpful and friendly. I always enjoy coming to this library.

—via ICE I have had the privilege of attending Marine Corps Birthday Balls at many clubs and the events are always meaningful. However, The Palms on Camp Hansen was a cut above the rest! Both the food and the service the staff provided was top-notch. Many thanks to the staff of The Palms for making this special evening for Marines a memorable one.

—via ICE Will individual Marine Corps Balls mementos be available for sale?

—via Facebook

@amypauleon

Shisa – the guardian lions of Okinawa #okilivingmag

Yes! In fact, the 246th Marine Corps Birthday Ball memento, featuring volcanic sand from Green Beach on Iwo Jima, is available for only $20 at the following MCCS locations while supplies last: - Arts and Crafts Centers on Camps Courtney and Foster - Bowling and Tsunami Scuba Centers island-wide - Front reception desks at clubs and fitness centers island-wide - NAF Warehouse Sales on Camp Foster - MCCS Flea Markets - Taiyo Golf Club Pro Shop - Cul de Sac Inn on MCAS Futenma and Inns of the Corps on Camps Courtney, Foster and Hansen The volcanic sand is encased in an etched acrylic display container that can be opened—but do so carefully, per enclosed instructions. For more information about the memento, please visit a participating sales location.

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.

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 7

OUT + ABOUT

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pending quality time together is the greatest Valentine’s gift of all…and, what better place than Okinawa to enjoy activities with that special someone? The following are a few ideas to make this year’s occasion an extra-special day to remember.

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 9

Nothing beats an ocean view and a gourmet burger!

GINOZA FARM LAB Ginoza IC Kin Town IC Camp Hansen Mozzarella Mushroom Burger

Okinawa Green Chilli Spicy Burger

Ginoza Road Station 2nd floor on Route 329, by the Pacific Ocean coast on the bank of Kanna Fukuji River, next to a nice beach, large playground, and farmers’ market.

https://mitinoeki-ginoza.com/

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Hours: Weekdays 11:00-18:00 Sat, Sun & Japanese Holidays 9:00-18:00 L.O. food 17:00 / drink 17:30 TO GO Closed on Wed. OK! T E L : 098-988-5516

Okinawa Expressway

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OUT + ABOUT

Many who have had the opportunity to dine there agree: Taiyo Steakhouse, located in the clubhouse of Taiyo Golf Club, is a wonderful venue for a special occasion. Using only prime beef— a USDA quality grade only earned by two percent of all beef produced in the U.S.—for their steak entrées, Taiyo Steakhouse is sure to put a smile on both your faces.

For more information on Taiyo Steakhouse, visit mccsokinawa.com/taiyosteakhouse. For questions, call 622-2020 from a DSN or 098-954-2020 from off base.

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 11

OUT + ABOUT

Ah, chocolate: the official edible substance of Valentine’s Day that has been exalted for centuries as the “food of the gods.”

Although trading (or sharing) a box of bonbons emblazoned with Ferrero Rocher, Ghirardelli, Godiva or even Hershey’s is a treasured Valentine’s Day tradition, why not try something unique this year and hunt for something a bit more exotic?

Japan is home to legions of chocolate lovers who appreciate luxurious offerings from local brands such as Meiji, Morinaga and Lotte, which are prominently featured in just about every supermarket or shop selling food in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. While these are definitely delicious choices, Okinawa is also home to a few brands that create fresh chocolates locally.

Fashion Candy, Okinawa’s oldest leading confectioner and chocolatier, has dedicated itself to a lavish line of designer sweets and pastries since 1975. Although their main shop in Ginowan City (near MCAS Futenma) is currently closed due to the pandemic, Fashion Candy products are available at almost all San-A malls on island.

Timeless Bean to Bar Chocolate, located near Baba Park in Sunabe, has more recently gained notoriety for their original sweets. Starting with single origin cacao beans from various locales such as Cuba, Columbia, Ghana and Vietnam—handsorting them to find the best of the bags—staff members then roast, crack, winnow, grind and mélange (liquefy) the cacao and finally, add brown sugar from sugarcane grown on Okinawa and surrounding isles. After that, the chocolate is tempered and aged much like a fine wine before being carefully packaged.

Timeless Chocolate can be found in select locations such as the Resort Department Store inside the Ryubo Palette Kumoji in Naha and Timeless Chocolate Harbor View Café in Chatan.

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OUT + ABOUT

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF REBECCA LAMBERTSEN

Tucked away on the northern part of Kouri Island near Nakijin is a spectacular natural coral formation that’s a perfect place to visit during Valentine’s Day. Heart Rock, as it has become known throughout Japan, is actually two separate coral protrusions that, when lined up, form the shape of a heart. Although, they look more like whale fins separately, that’s what love’s all about right? Two halves forming a whole.

Kouri Island is connected to Yagaji Island via Kouri Bridge (Yagaji is connected to Okinawa via bridge as well). Kouri Bridge, which is one of Japan’s longest toll-free spans, is truly picturesque—all 1,960 meters of it. Driving across this bridge on a sunny day gives travelers the illusion of flying with cobaltblue-fading-to-emerald-green waters below on both sides. In addition to Heart Rock, another great place to visit is Kouri Ocean Tower. Kouri Ocean Tower features a spire that gives visitors a panoramic view of the entire island, including Kouri Bridge. The facility also features two restaurants, a gift shop and a shell museum with 10,000 specimens—some as rare as they are beautiful.

Living on Okinawa offers many opportunities to explore the island’s beauty that are not limited to warmer weather. Take advantage of the Super Bowl 96 by hiking in northern Okinawa— trekking on the steep trails together will feel refreshing with the lack of summer heat and humidity.

Sign up for a whale watching tour with Tours+ and gasp in awe together as you witness a humpback whale breach for the first time. Or, create Ryukyu glass cups for each other to use for orange juice on cozy mornings.

The investment isn’t necessarily in money…it’s time well spent because each moment is a priceless treasure in itself; a gift that pays dividends in the form of fond memories that last long after that last chocolate morsel is digested, the last rosebud has fallen or last droplet of perfume vaporized. 

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 15

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 17

ushi came about much like many other inventions—first through necessity, then tweaked for convenience and eventually elevated for enjoyment. In the 7th century, well before refrigeration was available, people used salt and rice to preserve fish, making it suitable for lunch during journeys. Mixing the rice and salt created lactic acid, making natural fermentation possible.

However, after the preservation process, the rice was discarded and only the fish was eaten. This “pickled” fish, known as narezushi, was a luxury item because it left the valuable rice inedible. As time passed, vinegar was added into the mix and folks realized this made the whole process a bit faster. With less time to ferment, the rice held up a little better and tasted better too! Discovering the delightful combo of the fish and the rice together paved the way for modern-day sushi.

In the 1820s, the first sushi stall was opened by Yohei Hanaya, who served up the first nigiri-sushi (hand-pressed sushi). He set up his stall off the Sumida River in Edo (what is now Tokyo), and topped small mounds of rice with thin slices of freshly caught fish. In his version, the rice—not the fish—was pickled with salt and vinegar and ready to go in just a few minutes. In essence, this made sushi a convenient and fast, grab-and-go food for consumers passing by and Yohei’s creation of the new standard form.

Approximately a hundred years later, sushi carts could be found all around the city and it took a natural disaster—the Great Kanto earthquake—to bring the next sushi-industry change. After the devastation, land prices dropped, thus allowing sushi vendors to find more affordable indoor locations, which in turn created the first sushi restaurants. Fast forward to the 1970s: A thriving post-war Japan witnessed a simple, no-frills cuisine elevate to an upscale and premium fine-dining level. Today, whether you choose a high-end swanky night out, sample a tray from your local supermarket or grab it off a moving conveyer at a neighborhood “sushi-go-round,” sushi is not just a culinary art—it’s a treasured part of Japan’s culture.

NAME/BIGSTOCK.COM

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 19

Just like you can enjoy ice cream in a cup, cone, or as part of a sundae or ice cream sandwich, sushi also comes in different forms.

Nigiri-sushi, is simply small amounts of rice topped with (most often) thin slices of raw fish. It’s common for this type of sushi to include wasabi ( Japanese horseradish) between the rice and fish, so you don’t need to worry about adding any extra—the sushi chef has accounted for precisely the right amount already.

Gunkan style sushi is named for the shape it takes (“gunkan” means battleship), so you’ll recognize it as the pieces that are flatter and more ovalshaped (as opposed to round). It has rice wrapped in a strip of nori (seaweed) and is then topped with fish, roe or veggies.

For sushi rolls, there are two basic shapes: cylindrical and conical. Maki are cylindrical rolls—a full sheet of nori is topped with rice and fish (or other fillings) and rolled up. When sliced, these are perfectly round, disc-shaped bites. On occasion, they’re made inside out so that the rice is on the outside instead of the seaweed—a fad that started in California. Temaki is also a hand-rolled type of sushi that resembles the shape of an ice cream cone. Fill up your sheet of nori with rice and desired ingredients and roll somewhat diagonally, creating a pointy end and an open end. This type is not sliced and always served whole.

Chirashi literally means “scattered sushi” and is just that: sushi toppings served on a bed of sushi rice—served in a bowl or a box. While each type listed above looks a bit different because of how it is created, each has a few common elements which are simple in essence, but don’t let that fool you. The complex world of sushi is full of variety and satisfying bites. What might you find in each bite?

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The rice used for sushi is short-grain rice that is prepared specifically for sushi. Temperature is a big deal (you don’t want the temperature of the rice to affect the taste of the sushi, so room temperature is best) as is what’s added: sushi vinegar, which is rice vinegar with added sugar and salt. Even the nori comes in differing qualities, or grades, so this can affect the taste of sushi as well.

For many of us, the most noticeable distinction for each bite will come from the type of fish. Known as neta, more common choices include maguro (tuna), kajiki (marlin), salmon, ika (squid) and ebi (boiled shrimp). For crab, you’ll know if you’re enjoying king crab or imitation by whether or not there’s an extra syllable (kani for king crab, kani-kan for imitation crab). You’ll also notice quite a difference in price!

Other popular sushi neta include kanpachi (Japanese amberjack) and yellowtail, which has different names depending on its stage of growth—hamachi (younger) and buri (fully mature fish). Hirame (flounder) is also commonly enjoyed, as are several types of roe: tobiko (flying fish roe), ikura (salmon roe) and kanzunoko (herring roe). On Okinawa, some special varieties to try include umibudō (sea grapes) and irabucha (parrotfish).

Adventurous sushi diners might find exotic ingredients such as uni (sea urchin) and tako (boiled octopus) more intriguing. Reserved for the seasoned sushi-connoisseurs and extremely daring is odori-ebi: live shrimp. Talk about tickling your taste buds…oh my!

Beyond the actual components found in each piece of sushi, your meal can be made complete with a few accompaniments. Gari (picked ginger) is served as a palate cleanser for enjoying between each type of sushi. Sipping hot green tea is also a great cleanser between courses. And, soy sauce has its place—on top of the fish, not the rice! (You’ll want to dip your sushi in it fish-side down because otherwise the rice will soak too much up and fall apart.)

It would be an absolute shame to miss out on such a unique cuisine while exploring Okinawa and Japan. Certainly, grabbing the premade trays from the store during your weekly grocery trip makes for a convenient and delicious meal, but be sure to make an experience out of it, too.

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For those really wanting a cultural immersion, try making your own. You’ll need a few things to get started: good fish, good sushi rice and a good teacher. Head out to a fish market, your local market for the rice and vinegar (and some nori if you like) and then find a nice teacher or watch lots of YouTube videos! Just kidding, kind of…some of that will actually be involved. To get you started, check out the sushi rice recipe below.

2 1/4 cups short-grain white rice, cooked 4 Tbsp. rice vinegar 4 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/2 tsp. salt Make sure your rice is warm, not piping hot when you get started.

1. Mix the vinegar, sugar and salt until combined.

2. Mix the rice with the vinegar mix (preferably, in a bowl, not the pan you used to cook the rice; it needs to cool down). Using a hand fan in one hand to cool the rice while stirring it with the other speeds up the process.

3. Once the rice is cooled down, cover it with a damp cloth to keep it from drying out.

4. Enjoy as the base for some DIY sushi!

Trying at home will, of course, be fun and an excuse to buy your own makisu (sushi rolling mat), but for most of us a nice meal prepared by an itamae (sushi chef) is an easier way to ensure we’re using our chopsticks to pick up perfectly bite-size works of art.

Throughout your time on Okinawa, there will arguably be three meals that become cemented in your memories of Japan forever: the first one after arriving, the last one before departing and the best one. Which one will be sushi? 

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21-0562 MMA Fight Night 2022 (MM)

FITNESS + FUN

Off the Chain And Set On Winning Were you that kid always calling out, “Race you to the finish?” If so, you likely still have a lot of the same fun-loving, competitive spirit in you and remain set on winning to this day—be it contests, competitions or athletic events. Your next challenge? The Camp Kinser Bike Race!

On Sunday, March 13 all participants should plan to arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. for check-ins and then at 8:05 a.m., it’s ready, set and go. Motivated by the clock, your fitness goals and the riders around you, there’s plenty of reasons to make it to the finish line. First up, all participants will receive T-shirts, and there are multiple awards to chase after—1st, 2nd and 3rd place in all age and gender divisions as well as for overall male and female finishers. And second, after working up a sweat,

a nourishing caloric replenishment in the form of a delicious spaghetti meal from Kinser Surfside sounds absolutely off the chain! (Plus, since you probably have your own fan club rooting for you, spectators will also have the option to separately purchase spaghetti meal tickets.)

This race is open to eligible participants island-wide, ages 15 and older. Registration is available through Eventbrite until 11:30 p.m. on March 9 for $95 per participant. Cruising around Kinser’s 37k course is the first cycling event in a series of six in 2022, so stay tuned for additional upcoming races. For more information, visit mccsokinawa. com/adultsports and if you have any questions, please feel free to email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

It’s All In the Wrist!

Camp Courtney Cornhole Tournament Cornhole is traditionally a friendly backyard game in which players take turns tossing beanbags (or bags of corn kernels—hence the name) at a raised board with a hole on the far end. The rules are simple: a bag that lands on the board is worth one point and one in the hole is worth three. Play is a leisurely and relaxing journey to 21 points. Unless, of course, we’re talking about finding out who’s the best-of-the-best with deadly accuracy and consistency, that is!

It’s time to find out who is the king or queen of competitive beanbag-tossing at the Camp Courtney Open Cornhole Tournament.

Open to eligible participants island-wide ages 16 and older, this tournament will be held at Ironworks Fitness Center February 26 and 27.

Awards will go to the top three competitors, and registration ($20) is required via Eventbrite before February 23 at 11:30 p.m.

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

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FITNESS + FUN

Live the Dream PADI Instructor Development Course You’ve probably heard the age-old career advice: do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life. Unless what you love happens to be winning the lottery you’ll likely still need to work, but the whole point is to enjoy the work you do.

If discovering the underwater world of Okinawa—full of diverse sea life, magnificent corals and spectacular visibility—has been a favorite part of your time on island, then the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) could turn your passion into a career. This is a two-part course combining interactive learning experiences and skill development that will help you teach others the joys of scuba diving.

Becoming a PADI Instructor can be a great way to supplement your income, get started on a new career path and prepare you to be a leader in the dive industry. There are over 6,500 PADI dive shops around the world, so you never know where this professional certification could take you. You might even be able to become a contracted dive instructor with Tsunami Scuba!

Use your time on Okinawa wisely, and leave with a new career option. The next course begins on February 16 with future courses scheduled for June and September. Registration is available at all Tsunami Scuba locations. To sign up, you must be at least 18 years old and be a registered PADI Divemaster with 60 logged dives.

Interested participants may request personal counseling sessions from Tsunami Scuba to see if the IDC training is right for you. Please email mccstsunami training@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-3385 (DSN) or 098-970-3385 from off base for more details. 

Hook, Hook, Swish Nothing But…Peach Bushel?!

Certainly “nothing but net” has a much better ring to it, but basketball actually got its name from the half-bushel peach baskets that were used in the first game back in 1891. Since then, b-ball enthusiasts have enjoyed the sport for 130 years.

Keep the fun going at the Camp Hansen Open Basketball Tournament. Gather your team and head to the House of Pain basketball courts on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 and 20.

This tournament is open to eligible participants island-wide ages 16 and older and follows standard NCAA basketball rules.

Here’s what to know: teams may have up to 12 players and a coach. Coaches who also plan to play will count toward the 12-player limit.

Games will consist of two 20-minute halves

with a five-minute halftime and a running clock will be used until the last two minutes of the second half, at which point a regulation clock will be used.

Players should report 30 minutes prior to their team’s first game, and please leave any jewelry (including wedding rings) at home. And of course, have fun and give it your best shot because team and individual awards will go to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers.

If your layups, jump shots and passing game are on point, bounce on over to Eventbrite before 1 p.m. on February 14 and register for $150 per team. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports or follow facebook.com/mccsokinawa.semperfit. If you have any questions, email adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org.  FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 29

FITNESS + FUN

Heart Healthy Spinathon Get Your Blood Pumping Did you know your heart has the only involuntary muscle in your body? Simply put, your heart is working hard beating over 100,000 times each day—all on its own. That’s one muscle you definitely want to take care of.

One of the best ways to do so is with aerobic (or cardio) exercise.

Semper Fit Health Promotion is here to help you get jazzed up about protecting your heart health. On February 11 from 5 to 8 p.m., the spin room at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster will be rockin’ during the Heart Healthy Spinathon.

Bust out your best moves—tap-backs, anyone?—as you pedal to the beat in these three 50-minute high-energy spin sessions. We can almost guarantee you’ll be spinnin’ “right ’round, baby, right ’round, like a record, baby, right ’round, ’round, ’round.” Ancient song jokes aside, make no mistake: your blood will be pumping at this FREE event!

If you’re up for moving and grooving to boost your heart health, do yourself a solid and register for the Spinathon. Eventbrite registration is open until February 7, and SOFA ID card holders island-wide are welcome—including individuals ages 12 to 17 (accompanied by a parent or guardian). For more information or if you need any assistance, please contact Health Promotion at 645-3910 (DSN) or 098970-3910 from off base. For more information on Heart Health Month, check out the article on p. 35. 

Football All Weekend Channel Your Love of the Game Football fans know the real reason February claims the best weekend of the year: Super Bowl! Sporting your team’s jersey, chowing down on all the game-day foods and yelling at your TV screen with excitement (or frustration) all add up to plenty of spectator fun. Now is the time to channel that love of the game into your own championship-level achievement at the Camp Foster Open Flag Football Tournament.

Gather your best team and make it a full-fledged football weekend. Spend Saturday and Sunday, February 12 and 13 at the Camp Foster football field next to Gunners Fitness Center battling for a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place award and then Monday morning, February 14 enjoying the big game with a big breakfast (see p. 45 for more info).

Open to eligible participants island-wide ages 16 and older, each team may have up to 20 players plus a coach. Coaches planning to play will count as part of your team roster. As for the tournament itself, each game will have two 20-minute halves with a five-minute halftime. All players should plan to arrive 30 minutes before their first game and wear proper attire (shorts without pockets, tucked-in shirts and shoes without metal cleats).

Register via Eventbrite until 1 p.m. on February 7 for $150 per team. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports. If you have any questions, please email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.  FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 31

MARINES + FAMILIES

Camp Foster Library Book Club Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Library Love Meet Your Book Bae If it’s been too long since you fell in love with a great book or you’re in a reading rut, then it’s time for a blind date with a book! As it turns out, February is Library Lovers Month and Cupid is hiding out in libraries at MCAS Futenma and on Camps Kinser, Foster and Courtney ready to pair you with a beloved new read.

You don’t have to worry about any butterflies in your stomach as you meet your “date,” which will be wrapped up in Valentine’s cards or poetry. Have fun unwrapping your pick, getting acquainted through a few pages and then deciding if this is the book bae for you!

Rather trust the experts than random chance?

The MCCS Library staff will happily play matchmaker and make suggestions for you.

And for those that feel more comfortable in a crowd for a first date, how about a group gathering with Harlem Shuffle (Camp Foster’s book club pick of the month)?

Whether you keep your date going with a trip to the checkout counter or part ways in search of a keep-the-pages-turning alternative, you’ll find tons to celebrate during Library Lovers Month. New programs such as STEM Club, Code Club and Homework Help can connect you with the community, Innovation Labs are stocked and ready to spur your creativity, Youth and Teen Center Art Exhibit pieces are on display and much, much more.

For library details and information, visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries or follow facebook. com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries. 

Improving your fluency, broadening your vocabulary and honing your comprehension are only a few advantages of attending a book club. Moreover, book clubs help build a sense of community. You’ll meet new people, learn and gain unique perspectives and have an outlet for self-expression.

Sound good? The Book Club at Foster Library is for you! To promote a diverse, inclusive reading list, book club members vote biannually on selections that celebrate authors and genres recognized by the American Library Association.

As a way to celebrate the Black History Month holiday, book club members have voted Harlem Shuffle

by Colson Whitehead as February’s selection. Without giving too many spoilers, it is a gripping novel of daring criminal heists and high-stake situations set in vibrant 1960s Harlem.

The book club meets every third Thursday of the month (unless otherwise stated). If you are interested, join us at the Camp Foster Library on February 17 at 6 p.m., where we will engage in group discussions that foster growth and education in a safe, respectful environment.

If you have any questions about the book club, you can contact library program@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Check out the adjacent article or flip to p. 47 to read more about library offerings this month. To find a complete list of the latest library events and contact information, visit mccsokinawa.com/libraries. 

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

MARINES + FAMILIES

Great American Spit Out Be Through with Chew Join others across the globe on February 17 to participate in the annual Great American Spit Out, a DoDwide event encouraging smokeless tobacco cessation. If the thought of dropping the dip has ever crossed your mind, now’s your chance! Commit to quitting for 24 hours or more in observance of the event; it could be the motivation you need to kick-start a healthier lifestyle.

Quitting takes a plan, so set yourself up for success by telling a friend or someone in your unit that you’re going to quit—choose someone you trust and who will hold you accountable. Be prepared for when your addiction strikes by having something to do to avoid the urge, like chewing sugarless gum or taking a walk. Utilize resources available to you; MCCS Health Promotion provides resources such as FREE tobacco cessation classes and unit briefs to help you and your Marines stay tobacco free. For more information and support, visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion or call 645-3910. 

Healthy Heart Month Show the Ol’ Ticker Some Love Here’s a heart-pounding statistic: according to the CDC, one in every four deaths in the United States is related to heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women. So, why not show that ol’ organ some love this month!

February is Healthy Heart Month, and MCCS Health Promotion is here to raise awareness on heart disease and several ways you can prevent it. You know the adage, “you are what you eat.” A diet of foods high in cholesterol and fat means a heart and blood

vessels full of the aforementioned, and blood can’t pump around that. Your heart is a muscle, like any other muscle, so to get big and strong, it needs exercise. Incorporate aerobic workouts like running, cycling, walking, or swimming. And lastly, raise those serotonin levels and decrease stress by joining one of MCCS Semper Fit’s many yoga classes offered at all fitness centers! For more information, including group fitness schedules, visit mccsokinawa.com/healthpromotion. If you have any questions, call 645-3910. 

Anger Management YOU Control the Response According to Dr. Anthony Fiore and Dr. Ari Novick, authors of Anger Management for the Twenty-First Century, “Anger management IS NOT about never getting angry.” It is actually about finding more positive ways to communicate or behave so that you become a more effective and satisfied person—one who has better relationships with other people.

Learn strategies to effectively manage anger and build conflict resolution skills in the Century Anger Management (CAM) Class—a four-consecutive-week psychoeducational workshop taught by MCCS Be-

havioral Health Family Advocacy Program’s Prevention & Education Team.

CAM Classes, which teach you how to properly manage stress, cope with feelings of anger and communicate effectively, can be taken either on Wednesdays on Camp Foster or Thursdays on Camp Hansen. Both classes will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those interested must register to attend. To register, email FAPPrevention@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-2915. For more information, including locations, visit mccsokinawa.com/ behavioralhealth.  FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 35

MARINES + FAMILIES

Be Inspired by Presidential Art With MCCS Arts and Crafts

Get Creative This Galentine’s Day Paint Night with Your Pals February is no longer only reserved for romantic lovers; you already know this if you are familiar with Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation and her made-up holiday: Galentine’s Day. The 2010 episode sparked the new tradition of celebrating your platonic loves the day before Valentine’s Day (or anytime in February).

And what better way to celebrate with your besties than making fun memories and creating something you love? Invite ten or more of your best pals to a private paint night with MCCS Arts and Crafts. Your teacher

creates the inspiration piece and guides you and your best buddies through creating a masterpiece.

You can stop by either Courtney Arts and Crafts or Foster Arts and Crafts with your preferred date (and a backup date, just in case) to schedule your private event at least two weeks in advance. If you’re not interested in a private event, check out our website and Eventbrite for prescheduled paint nights.

For more information, head to mccsokinawa. com/artsandcrafts. 

Did you know that before he was an illustrious war hero, Ulysses S. Grant fell hopelessly in love with watercolors, studying the romantic style under artist Robert Walter Weir? Or, that Dwight D. Eisenhower discovered his painting passion later in life, yet it didn’t stop him from producing 250 works—exhibited at the Huntington Hartford Museum in New York? Maybe you already knew outside of being commander in chief, Jimmy Carter—painter and woodworker—dedicated his life to the arts. He even opened the Carter Center at Emory University.

Surely you know that George W. Bush has produced quite a portfolio of animal paintings, still lifes and portraits.

But wait, before you get lost in the history books in celebration of Presidents’ Day this month—come create some artwork of your own with MCCS Arts and Crafts! Whether you’re interested in watercolors like Grant or woodworking like Carter, Courtney Arts and Crafts and Foster Arts and Crafts have you covered!

Find out more at mccsokinawa.com/ artsandcrafts. 

’Tis the Season… …the Season for Flowers!

When one thinks of flowers, they usually think of spring months with hillsides blanketed with brilliantly colored blooms after the winter’s thaw. On Okinawa, however, flowers spring to life, even during the winter months.

Ikebana, or “giving life to flowers,” is a Japanese art form that involves much more than simply placing flowers into a vase. Every flower, every leaf and every stem is deliberately placed to achieve harmony, to create beauty where there once was not. Its roots reach as far back as the 6th century when Buddhists started leaving floral offerings at temples, although the practice was more formally codified in 15th-century Kyoto with the opening of Ikenobo, an Ikebana school which is incredibly still open after all this time. Over the years, Ikebana schools have sprouted and flourished, many with their own unique styles, and lessons in this ancient art are readily available today—even on Camp Foster!

If you’d like to try your hand at the celebrated art of Japanese flower arranging, Foster Arts and Crafts is hosting Ikebana classes on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For $85, you’ll receive four two-hour sessions as well as all of the flowers you will be arranging (students will need to bring their own vase).

Registration is required at least one week before your desired start date.

If you have any questions, please call 098-970-3674 or email artsandcrafts@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. For more information, please visit mccsokinawa.com/ fosterartsandcrafts.  FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 37

SECTION NAME DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Valentine’s at the Clubs Exquisite and Delicious Full of affection and ready to spoil your love this Valentine’s Day? You could try a picture-perfect dinner for two complete with homemade chocolates and signature cocktails inspired by hours and hours of Pinterest searching. Or you could also wing it because it’s the thought that counts, right? Eh. That’s not the keenest idea. Your date deserves the best and only the best. What to do? What to do?

Turn to the experts of course! MCCS Chefs are setting the tables and crafting menus for elegant Valentine events this year. With a weekend full of romantic, exquisite and delicious offerings, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Starting on Wednesday, February 9, Taiyo Steakhouse will offer a special Valentine’s set menu in addition to their à la carte dinner menu. Dinner hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. and reservations are required, so be sure to call 622-2020 (DSN) or 098-954-2020 from off base to save your table. Available until February 14, each couple will also receive a complimentary beverage and flower.

Looking for a nice evening with the whole family?

Head to Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney! Offering up a lovely family-friendly buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 11, guests will enjoy Italian cuisine, soup, salad and a dessert bar. Reservations are recommended and prices are $16.95 for adults, $8.50 for children ages 5 to 11 and FREE for kids under 5. To reserve your family’s spot call 622-9413 (DSN) or 098954-9413 from off base.

Butler Officers’ Club at Plaza Housing and Surfside on Camp Kinser are hosting exclusive ticketed events to help you celebrate. Both events begin at 6 p.m. and are open to adults only.

On February 11, at Butler Officers’ Club, you can expect hors d’oeuvres and Champagne, a seven-course dinner, live entertainment and dancing at their “Be Mine Tonight” event. Tickets will be sold per person via Eventbrite for $55 until February 9. Optional purchases, including flowers and wine, may be added directly to your Eventbrite selections. For any questions, please call 645-7530 (DSN) or 098-970-7530 from off base.

On February 12, at Surfside, hors d’oeuvres, a cocktail hour and a four-course dinner will set the stage for a romantic evening. Tickets will be sold per couple via Eventbrite for $80 until February 10. For any questions, please call 637-3137 (DSN) or dial 098970-5555, then 637-3137 from off base.

Each location is sure to wow, so you really can’t go wrong with your pick. For more information about MCCS Clubs and Restaurants, visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs.

And may you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!  FEBRUARY MONTH 2020 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 39

ATTEND A WEBINAR TO LEARN HOW UMGC PROGRAMS ARE MADE FOR YOU Register to attend at asia.umgc.edu/webinars or scan the QR code below and get answers about earning a degree from UMGC. If you apply for admission within 30 days of attending an Intro to UMGC Asia or Graduate Programs Webinar, your $50 application fee will be waived!

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DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

FREE Coffee! …with the Bonsai Coffee Stamp Card

Big Game… …BIGGER Breakfast!

It’s coming. One of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world will be held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and the anticipation and excitement is building like a thunderstorm on the horizon. Disappointed that you won’t be there to see the titanic clash of professional gridiron gladiators? Bummed that you’ll miss seeing the even more epic collaboration between Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar during halftime?

Don’t fret, snag your seat for the Super Bowl on Monday, February 14 at participating MCCS Clubs and Restaurants. For only $12, pile your plate high at 7 a.m. at the Big Game, Big Breakfast Buffet, then kick back with your buddies and count down to the kickoff. Complimentary snacks will be served throughout the game, so no need to rush to miss a play because you have to grab more chips and dip.

BeachHead on Camp Schwab and The Palms Ballroom on Camp Hansen have the northern end zone of the island covered on game day. Hashmarks SNCO Club and Legends Officers’ Club on Camp Courtney have ample space in their huddle for you to cheer on your favorite team. Globe & Anchor inside Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster is also an eligible receiver. And, down south, both the Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma and Kinser Surfside will snag your “Hail Mary” in the back of the end zone for six.

Fast casual dining options will be offered at Thirsty’s Enlisted Club on MCAS Futenma and Bayview Enlisted Club on Camp Courtney.

For more Big Game, Big Breakfast details, visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs or call your local participating club. 

A Delightful Mess You’re Gonna Need LOTS of Napkins It’s funny how kids seem to innately know how to enjoy life—whether it’s jumping in mud puddles, going “Banksy” on their bedroom walls with crayons or making a total joyful mess when they enjoy a meal. Yes, kids are very savvy to the simple wisdom that the sloppier mealtime gets, the better it tastes. And at Bulldogs Burgers, they’re pretty sure those kids are on to something—something really good. Hence, their newest limited-time offer: the Five-Napkin Burger.

Enhanced with a double dose of cheese (both melted and sliced), smothered with chili and optionally topped with jalapeños,

Bonsai Coffee would like to treat you to a FREE hand-crafted beverage!

How do you get yours, you ask? It’s easy; just ask for a Bonsai Coffee Stamp Card at your favorite location. Each purchase of a delicious hand-crafted beverage—be it a Coffee Cream, Espresso con Panna, Café Misto, Red Eye or whatever tickles your fancy (and taste buds)—will get you a stamp bringing you closer to a FREE hand-crafted drink of any size.

What will you claim as your prize drink? Will it be the refreshing, espresso-based frozen blend known as the Coffee Cream? You know, the one that simultaneously picks you up and cools you down? Or, how about a smooth-as-silk Café Misto? Maybe a simple-but-powerful shot of espresso topped with whipped cream known as the Espresso con Panna will be your choice? Or, perhaps you’re not a morning person and need a bit of a caffeine boost in the form of the Red Eye? For non-coffee drinkers, Bonsai even offers several sublime teabased options such as the Green Tea Latté, London Fog and the Green Tea Cream. Whatever your choice is, it’s sure to be the right one!

Visit your nearest Bonsai Coffee, check out their menu to find your favorite and don’t forget to ask for your stamp card! For more information, visit Bonsai Coffee Company online at mccsokinawa.com/bonsaicoffee. 

this hearty big ’un is ready to wow with its comfort-food charms. The Five-Napkin (and let’s be real, you’re gonna need more than five) Burger is pretty much impossible to tackle without a making a delightful mess.

Fun and delicious as it sounds, you’ve got plenty of time (from February 1 to 28) to get your hands on one or—ahem, get one all over your hands! Either way, forget about trying to knife-and-fork this one. Get in there and go burger-crazy folks.

For more Bulldogs Burgers information, including the full menu, locations, hours and numbers, visit mccsokinawa.com/bulldogs.  FEBRUARY MONTH 2020 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 45

KIDS + PARENTS

Birds of Okinawa DIY Backyard Feeders In 1994 Congressman John Porter realized that February was the toughest month for birds to survive, so to help our feathered friends make it through the harshest time of the year, he introduced National Bird Feeding Month.

If you’d like to help Okinawa’s fascinating fowl, come to MCCS Libraries where you can make a DIY backyard bird feeder. This event takes place at Camp Kinser Library on February 12 at 3 p.m., Camp Courtney on February 21 at 5 p.m. and Camp Foster Library on February 23 at 5 p.m.

Okinawa’s most elusive bird, the Yanbaru kuina (Okinawa rail), is a very unlikely guest at your bird feeder. So, you might have more luck catching a glimpse of a Ryukyu robin or an Okinawan woodpecker. But, one thing’s certain, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled and camera ready as you await visitors, feathered or furry, to your brand new bird feeder.

For more information on upcoming events, head to mccsokinawa.com/ libraries and click on the event tabs. 

Gotta Catch ’Em All! Celebrate National Pokémon Day Pokémon, which is short for “Pocket Monsters,” is an international mega-franchise based on a simple concept—capturing, befriending and training fictional creatures called Pokémon for battles with other trainers. Recently celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2021, these creatures (there were 898 when this was written, with more joining regularly) appear in several games (with 380 million copies sold and around a billion mobile downloads), anime (over 20 seasons and 1,000 episodes in 183 countries), manga, movies and more. In a nutshell, Pokémon is a pop culture phenomenon appealing to both children and adults throughout the world—even with its own “holiday” known as National Pokémon Day on February 27.

Whether you’re a Level 50 Trainer, or someone just curious about the world of

Pocket Monsters, you’re in luck—the Camp Courtney Library will be celebrating all things Pokémon on February 25 at 4 p.m. with a Pokémon scavenger hunt and again on February 28 with an epic card battle!

The MCAS Futenma Library will join in on February 27 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with 3D Pokémon model painting. The festivities are FREE and open to SOFA ID card holders of all ages.

For more information on this event, call the Courtney Library at 622-9280, email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or visit the libraries online at mccsokinawa.com/ libraries. 

Learn to Swim Lessons Something for Everyone Learn to Swim (LTS) classes have something for everyone—novices, recreational swimmers and fitness enthusiasts, too. If you or your child have never tried swimming, introductory lessons with certified swim instructors are absolutely the way to go. Already got the basics down? Learn new strokes to get the most out of this total body workout.

Held at Camp Foster Aquatic Center, classes are grouped by age and skill level.

LTS is a year-round program with schedules depending upon instructor availability. Par-

ticipants can choose from two upcoming LTS sessions. Session 3 will be held from February 7 to 16 (register online January 31 to February 3). Session 4 will take place February 22 to March 3 (register online February 14 to 17).

Times vary based on class levels and may be viewed online when registering.

Detailed class descriptions for all LTS classes along with registration links are available online at mccsokinawa.com/learntoswim.

For questions, please email mccsaquatics@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.  FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 47

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

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SERVICES

Share Your Love of Okinawa… …with Your Loved Ones Back Home!

Everyone who has visited Okinawa has a favorite spot, whether it’s a perfect place to watch the sunset, a beach that the family visited every summer, the steps to Nago Castle lined with sakura (cherry blossom) trees blooming brilliantly pink or even a stretch of beautiful coastline that is so breathtaking you have to stop the car every time you pass by to take a photo.

With Omoide: Memories of Okinawa and The Best of Okinawa Living, both produced by the staff of Okinawa Living Magazine, you can share the beauty of your home-away-fromhome with friends and family in the States.

Omoide: Memories of Okinawa captures Okinawa’s beauty in a pictorial format. Broken down into geographic sections, this full-color coffee table book contains images from Hedo Point on the northern tip of the island to Chinen Cape—the southern-most point of Okinawa.

The Best of Okinawa Living, a more comprehensive compilation of everything Okinawa, uses words and images to cover the island’s history, picturesque locales, interesting cuisine, cultural curiosities, art and artists, national and local festivals and holidays and much more.

The Best of Okinawa Living and Omoide: Memories of Okinawa are available island-wide at Exchange retail facilities that sell books and select MCCS facilities. 

FREE STUFF! Yes, You Heard That Right!

MCCS offers a wide range of FREE activities that you can take advantage of to make Okinawa a better home-away-from-home for you and your family. And, in many cases, MCCS does it for zero dollars and zero cents! What does MCCS offer for FREE? We’re glad you asked.

Enjoy FREE golf clinics, swing instruction and more at Taiyo Golf Club. MCCS Clubs and Restaurants offer tons of FREE entertainment and FREE coffee, tea and soft drinks for designated drivers. Get fit for FREE at MCCS pools as well as at fitness centers which offer FREE fitness assessments and more. Learn about Japanese culture and even some of the language with FREE classes with Personal and Professional Development-Resources (P&PD-R). And, that’s just the tip of the FREE iceberg!

Want more FREE stuff? Of course you do! For a full listing of everything that’s FREE from MCCS, check out mccsokinawa.com/FREE. 

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 51

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 57

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 59

OKUMA B E AC H Ai Beach Cottage

Take a romantic stroll on a private beach, relax in a luxurious hot tub, and enjoy the comforts of this charming twoperson cottage. Enjoy a beautiful master bedroom with a queen-size bed and private bathroom with shower. Amenities include TV, DVD player, personal grill, and private golf cart. Take a virtual tour online at kadenafss.com! Must call to reserve.

Spend the weekend at Okuma

Relax on beautiful sandy beaches or take a swing on our golf course or miniature golf course. Book a trip on our glass-bottom boat and take a tour of the beautiful coral and sea life of the East China Sea. Dine in or outside at our Surfside Grill & Bar restaurant and enjoy delicious dishes like Surf & Turf, Ribeye Steak, Pesto Penne pasta and more!

Call our Reservations Office or head to kadenafss.com to book your stay today and learn about everything that Okuma Beach has to offer!

Sweet Cabana Deal

Now - 25 March Save 20% on a two-night stay in any Okuma Suite, Suite Plus, Studio, or Studio Premier. Package includes two breakfast vouchers.

Sunday through Thursdays only, holidays not included. Restrictions may apply.

Contact our Reservation Desk at 098-962-1991/1992 or 631-1991/1992 from 8 am - 5 pm to book your stay today!

Okuma Beach • 631-1990 Lodging Reservations • 631-1991 Surfside Grill & Bar • 098-962-1805 Okuma Outdoor Recreation • 631-1815 Located 51 miles north of Kadena Air Base

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Spend a romantic evening at Okuma Beach enjoying a salad & assorted cheeses, two glasses of champagne, a ribeye steak or salmon dish, and dessert!

Reservations are required. Call Surfside Grill & Bar at 098-962-1805 to book a reservation.

Enjoy our new selection of wines at the Surfside!

From bold flavors to fine bubbles, we have a wine choice for your palate.

Almost 2,000 years ago, a Greek moralist and biographer named Plutarch stated, “To the dolphin alone, beyond all other, nature has granted what the best philosophers seek: friendship for no advantage.” From the days of antiquity, dolphins have been chronicled by many as being friendly creatures and are popular subjects of literature because of it. In William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the character Arion, who is a minstrel, is forced by marauding pirates to walk the plank of his own ship far from shore.

However, the pirates not being totally inhumane decide to grant Arion’s final wish—to sing one last song, which he sings from the end of the plank. After he finishes, he jumps overboard expecting a watery death but is instead rescued by a dolphin that had been attracted by his melody. Stories aside, dolphins

and porpoises exhibit a trait that is sporadic among other creatures that inhabit the planet, including Homo sapiens—a consistent, friendly willingness to cooperate not only with their own species but with others as well.

In addition to their friendliness, dolphins seem to be blessed with a highly developed sense of humor. They have been observed silently swimming behind unsuspecting pelicans and snatching a few tail feathers leaving the seabirds indignant but unharmed. Many people, including divers lucky enough to encounter dolphins, as well as people who see captive dolphins at shows, agree to feeling elation and well-being at the sight of them.

Research into this phenomenon has led to advances in the fields of science and medicine. In 1978, research in the United States showed that dolphin therapy had FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 61

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positive effects on some of the symptoms of autism in children. This therapy, which involves supervised swimming sessions with dolphins, has also shown some effectiveness in the treatment of people with Down’s syndrome, psychosomatic diseases and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as children with psychological disorders. Dolphin therapy was first conducted in Japan in 1996 under the supervision of the Oceanic Wellness Foundation at the Renaissance Resort located in Onna Village in northern Okinawa.

Although wild dolphins can be seen around the islands to the south—including Miyako, Ishigaki and Iriomote, they are much more elusive around Okinawa.

Opportunities for viewing bottlenose and Pacific whitesided dolphins, as well as other cetaceans, are available at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu. They have free shows running daily, featuring leaps, spins, singing and dancing, and if you’re lucky, a kiss from the dolphins.

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 63

ASTEEDA FES HP

02.07 MON - 02.08 TUE OKINAWA ARENA

Featuring a Ryukyu Asteeda (Okinawa's professional table tennis team) home match,music,food,entertainment,and professional wrestling!

We're bringing you two days festival with an impressive lineup, in one of the hottest spots around Okinawa!

Tickets available on the day of the event.

Consult with III MEF/MARFORJ Leave &Liberty Guidance before attending event.

TAKE OUT OK!!

Japan is among many countries that are discovering— especially during recent years—that whale watching is not only as lucrative as commercial whaling, but far more profitable in the long run. Almost everybody who has been whale watching will testify that each and every individual whale or dolphin that they’ve been lucky enough to spy in its natural habitat—even from afar—is a treasure in itself. Whale watching is not only an educational experience, teaching the young about the beauty and grace of the sea, but an exhilarating and enjoyable form of recreation for all ages as well. All over the world, people charter watercraft and flock to whale watching venues, just for a chance to glimpse one of these graceful sea-going mammals leaping from the ocean, making titanic splashes as they land.

Although there are a great variety of whales (along with their smaller cousins, the dolphins) in the waters surrounding Japan, the whales you are most likely to spot off the coasts of Okinawa are humpback whales. Humpbacks, or zatōkujira in Japanese, range from 12 to 15 meters in length and can weigh an average of 25 to 30 tons when fully grown. It is said that the name zatōkujira comes from the whale’s shape, which resembles a Japanese lute called a biwa— the favored instrument of a famous Japanese minstrel named Zato.

Humpback whales migrate as families called pods for distances of several thousand kilometers throughout the seven seas. The cetaceans that spend the winter months off the coasts of the Ryukyu Islands travel from the ice-cold waters of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands to the warm sea off the coast of Okinawa every winter. Zatōkujira, along with other whales and dolphins, were once a principal source of food for

the Japanese people, therefore humpbacks were hunted almost to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries.

However, as more and more people see the beauty and obvious intelligence of these whales firsthand, they see the error of their ways. Each year, the whales are seen less as a food source and are treated with the awe and respect that they deserve.

Whale watching season on Okinawa begins in late January and runs through March every year. Whales have been sighted regularly in recent years near the Kerama Islands, which are located only about 40 to 50 kilometers west of Naha City. One of the Kerama’s largest islands is Zamami Island—home to the Zamami Whale Watching Association. This isle’s whalewatching season runs roughly from early February through early March. Tours taken from Aja Port in Naha average around ¥10,000, and MCCS Tours+ will also be offering whale watching tours that depart from Camp Foster during the months of February and March.

For those prone to getting woozy, queasy or seasick, the payoff received from the experience is well worth the price— seeing one of these gentle giants in their natural habitat more than offsets the costs in yen, dollars or nausea. 

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 65

LIVING ON OKINAWA

Tempura Ingredients 8 prawns (shelled and deveined) 1/4 kabocha (Japanese squash), cut into 1/4”-thick slices 4 green bell peppers, cut into 1/4” strips 1 sweet potato, steamed and cut into 1/4”-thick semicircles Batter 1 cup of flour 5 fl. oz. water Salt

Dipping Sauce 6 fl. oz. dashi (soup stock) 2 Tbsp. mirin (sweet rice wine) 2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Method of Preparation 1. Mix flour and water; add a dash of salt.

2. Mix dipping sauce ingredients in a saucepan; warm thoroughly on low heat.

3. Fill a pot at least 8 inches deep with 3-4 inches of vegetable oil. Heat to 365 °F. 4. Dip vegetables and prawns slowly into the batter (to prevent splashing), and then carefully submerge in hot oil.

5. Fry until light golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes.

6. Remove prawns and vegetables from oil using a mesh skimmer (called a spider); drain on wok rack or paper towels.

Serving suggestion: Enjoy with steamed white rice and miso soup.

Setsubun-no-Hi Setsubun is a Japanese festival that originally descended from ancient China. This event is held on February 3, two days before winter’s end according to the lunar calendar. The general idea of Setsubun is to drive evil spirits, bad luck and sickness away from the home while welcoming in good luck by throwing…roasted soybeans.

Here is how it’s done: First, throw the beans as strongly as possible outside the home from doorways and windows (be careful not to hit anybody in the eyes) while shouting “oni wa soto!” (devils out!). Then, toss beans inside of the home while saying “fuku wa uchi!” (happiness in!) to invite in the good luck.

In many places in Japan, sometimes the father (or the oldest son, if the father is tired of being pelted by legumes) will don an oni (ogre) mask, while the rest of the family members throw roasted beans to frighten the “oni” away. Although many adults believe this tradition makes the event more enjoyable for children, some younger kids dread the day because overenthusiastic oni performances can get scary—especially when their older brother is involved.

After the bean-throwing festivities are completed and all tears have dried, it’s also customary that everyone eat the same number of beans as their age in order to wish for good health during the year.

Many may be wondering “but why roasted soybeans?” It’s thought that because soybeans grow virtually everywhere while also bringing fertility to the soil, that

they contained magical powers. They were therefore believed to be an effective weapon against evil.

So, if you’re planning on joining the millions of Japanese in bean throwing for Setsubun this year, please remember to use roasted beans—unless you’re interested in growing a magic soybean farm in your yard. 

Uchinâguchi Corner English

Japanese

Uchinâguchi

Cat (Kitten)

Neko (Koneko)

Mayā (Mayāgwā)

FEBRUARY 2022 | OKINAWA LIVING 69

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