Okinawa Living February 2024

February 2024 | Issue 312

contents February 2024

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8 56 features Cambodia: Explore the Mysteries of an Ancient Civilization Embark on a voyage to visit the marvels of architecture and ancient history spread throughout Cambodia and its capital, Siem Reap.

Ohanami: Enjoying the Flowers of Winter 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 can be enjoyed (and photographed) year-round—even during the dead of winter.

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restaurant review

KIRSTIN SPANU

LEFT PHOTO BY KIRSTIN SPANU

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On the cover While stationed on Okinawa, many take advantage of the island’s proximity to many exotic locales— such as Cambodia. Why not plan your adventure today!

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Quality Time… … on Valentine’s Day Whether it’s with a significant other, with close friends on a Galentine’s excursion or with the whole family; this year—why not mark your calendar for a Valentine’s adventure? We’ve got some suggestions!

42 An Unforgettable Evening: Teppanyaki Valentine’s Day at Habu Pit Gorgeous views of the glimmering East China Sea, hearty portions and a teppanyaki experience featuring sumptuous, authentic fare—what more could one ask for on Valentine’s Day?

contents February 2024

39 Hansen Festival Commemorate the spring as you sing along to catchy tunes and rockin’ vibes at the annual Hansen Festival—this year is especially special as 2024 marks the festival’s 30th anniversary!

kids + parents 47 Dungeons & Dragons for Kids Do strategic games like Dungeons & Dragons excite your children, but they have a hard time grasping the mechanics of the game? Fear not, at Camp Foster Library, your child can learn the basics to kickstart them on their journey!

services 49 Stay in the Loop with the Liberty App! The MCCS Okinawa Liberty App is like having a whole platoon of information about being stationed on Okinawa—and right at your fingertips.

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27 fitness + fun

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Whale Watching Season Is Here This time of year brings much-appreciated cool weather along with some fun guests—humpback whales! Pay them a visit on a Whale Watching Tour with Tours+.

Four Lenses Sip & Paint Strengthen you and your partner’s connections and sharpen up your painting skills at Four Lenses Sip & Paint. An enjoyable evening for couples, this event will also include a relationship-building workshop hosted by Marine Corps Family Team Building.

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Courtney Open Kickball Tournament Attention, kickballers! Assemble your all-stars, and “thump” your way to victory at the two-day Camp Courtney Open Kickball Tournament!

marines + families 35 Camp Foster Career Summit Mark your calendars and prepare your resume because Hiring Our Heroes is coming to Okinawa to help transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers find meaningful employment.

Blind Date with a Book Make February extra special by doing something out of the ordinary—like taking a leisurely stroll down the library aisles and going on a blind “date” with a book.

dining + entertainment 39 Celebrate the Big Game…with a Big Game Breakfast Enjoy Super Bowl Monday and America’s mostpopular sport with a Big Game Breakfast Buffet at participating MCCS Clubs and Restaurants.

Warehouse Sale!

Did you know that MCCS conducts weekly sales of excess Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) property—including items such as computers, furniture, sporting equipment and more—every Wednesday on Camp Foster?

extras 9 Feedback & Show Us!

69 Living on Okinawa

70 Marketplace Guide

FEBRUARY 2024 | ISSUE 312 COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC Major General Stephen E. Liszewski ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS, MCIPAC Edward S. Hutsell DEPUTY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS DIRECTOR, MCCS, MCB CAMP BUTLER Michael S. Gieseck DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR MARINE & FAMILY PROGRAMS Carlos J. Saldaña DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR BUSINESS & SUPPORT Hyun Woo Chang CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jim Kassebaum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Daley MCCS ART DIRECTOR Henry C. Ortega OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTORS Margie Shimabukuro, Emily Wright GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Alora Wilson, Meghan Johnson, James Rieth DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS Mia Cox, Kirstin Spanu EDITORIAL Swetha Gogue, Laura C. Pita DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Tiara Supakit, Claire Wilkinson CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER John Dailey ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Ada Tovar, Tsutomu McCoy, Aimee Taira MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER Andrew Menges MARKETING ACCOUNTS Eduardo Sanchez Perry, Amber A. Padilla DISTRIBUTION Wataru Yamanoha, Shohei Ikene MARKETING INTERN Austin Martinez

We welcome your comments.

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

mensôre “Welcome” to Okinawa Living

Heralds of Springtime Although March is the official start of spring on Okinawa, you may have already met one of its unofficial ambassadors. While strolling under the cherry blossoms this year, did you notice the beautiful chirping sounds that made you feel that spring had arrived early?

It was most likely coming from the tiny Japanese herald of spring known as the mejiro.

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

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

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

Once spotted, mejiro are fun to watch as they acrobatically hang upside-down (or sideways) when making a meal of insects or fruit nectar. They consume large quantities of bothersome insects such as gnats, fly larvae and spiders, and they are also good pollinators, darting from tree to shrub in search of a sweet treat, like a giant green honeybee.

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

See our advertising rates at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/advertise MCCS MARKETING BRANCH MCB Camp S.D. Butler. Unit 35023, FPO AP 96378-5023

PHOTO BY JAMES RIETH

Mike Daley Editor-In-Chief 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 ©2024

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

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Visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ol for the latest issue. Also, visit issuu.com/mccsokinawa to see back issues of the magazine.

feedback

from the ICE Program and Facebook

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

CLB-4 hosted a Christmas party on Dec 21, 2023, and received support from the Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center staff. They were amazing and made the process easy and efficient. The equipment was well managed and helped to make our Christmas party successful. On behalf of CLB-4, we would like to thank all the employees who work at that facility every day.

—via ICE We went to Courtney Library to make book ornaments [at a Your Home for the Holidays event]. We had such a wonderful time, and I really hope to take part in an event like that again. Angelica Gonzalez was the one teaching, and she did such a great job showing us how to make our own ornaments at home. It’s always so great to see her in the library because her bubbly personality makes my family and I feel so welcomed there.

—via ICE

@lydia_costello

Camryn [Collier] has been outstanding in his customer service since the first time we visited the Hansen Bowling Center. He’s super-fast when responding to requests and keeps everyone laughing with his jokes and high spirits. The way he works, he needs a raise in pay and should be looked upon on as a top-tier employee. Thank you for everything you do, Camryn—your outstanding customer service will keep bringing us back to the Hansen Bowling Center again and again.

—via ICE My wife and I have been having Sunday brunch at the Surfside [on Camp Kinser] at every opportunity. The food is excellent, with a very good selection, but the most appealing aspect of their Sunday Brunch is the staff. They are courteous and helpful, and they remember us every time we come back. We had been so pleased with the food and the service that we decided to enjoy both our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at Surfside. It was an excellent choice; they surpassed our expectations, and we are grateful that we took advantage of what Camp Kinser had to offer.

I want to specifically call out Mai Kotani—she is a big part of the reason we continue to come back. She always greets us with a smile and makes us feel welcome. Even though I missed the Eventbrite sign up deadline for Christmas dinner, she somehow managed to squeeze us in.

She is pleasant, friendly, professional and good at what she does.

I also want to mention the Japanese chef who makes the omelets on Sunday. Unfortunately, I don’t know her name, but she makes a perfect omelet, and she does it with a smile. Atsuko Maruhashi is also a fixture at Surfside who we see on Sundays (as well as during Christmas dinner).

She is constantly moving and checking with customers to ensure they’re enjoying the best dining experience. And she too, always works with a smile on her face.

—via ICE

@boridosis

Yaedake Sakuranomori Park

@_simplynikkie

sending all my love this holiday season

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 okinawa.usmc-mccs.org and find the ICE link in the “MORE” section of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.

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Text & Photography by: Kirstin Spanu Design by: James Rieth

While many are familiar with Egypt’s famous pyramids and Mexico’s Mayan ruins, fewer are aware of the utter marvels of architecture and ancient history spread throughout Cambodia and its capital, Siem Reap.

Bordering the southeast of Thailand, Cambodia is home to numerous ancient temples, many of them located in Angkor Thom, or the “Great City” in English. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the mighty Khmer Empire that ruled much of what is now Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, from the 9th to the 15th century.

In the past, Angkor was the largest city on Earth— roughly the size of modern-day Los Angeles— making the mystery surrounding the fallen Khmer empire all the more interesting.

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One of the most well-known temples within Angkor Thom is Angkor Wat. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) crowned this giant sanctuary a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 for being one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Southeast Asia.

Angkor Wat, which translates to “City of Temples,” is a huge temple complex situated on more than 400 acres, making it the largest religious structure in the world, according to the Guinness Book Of World Records.

The complex was built by Khmer Suryavarman II in the 12th century as a Hindu temple, dedicated to the god Vishnu. Following the rise of a new king, Jayavarman VII, Angkor Wat was gradually converted to a Buddhist site as Buddhism was the official religion during his reign. Evidence of both religious influences can be seen through the architecture of the intricately constructed temples, as well as through the visiting Buddhist monks, adorned in their signature orange robes called kasaya.

Today, visitors are encouraged to take in Angkor Wat’s 1,200 square meters of elaborate carvings called bas-relief, which depict extravagant tales such as the creation of the universe and battles of good versus evil. Practicing Buddhists are also invited to pray at the various statues found within. Other must-see temples, which are just a tuk-tuk ride away, include the Bayon Temple and the Ta Prohm.

Bayon, a 12th century temple located in the heart of Angkor Thom, is known colloquially as the “face temple” due to the more than 200 smiling faces that surround it, casting glances at tourists, passersby and the monkeys who frequent its ancient ruins.

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You’ll know you’re entering the Bayon Temple when you cross a bridge lined with stone carvings of various characters pulling on a giant snake. One side of the bridge is composed of devas (gods), and the other, asuras (demons), depicting the ancient Hindu myth of “Churning the Ocean Milk.”

Legend has it, the devas and asuras worked together using Mount Mandara as a churning rod and the Snake King Vasuki as a churning rope. By churning the ocean milk, the devas and asuras hoped to obtain an elixir of immortality called amrit.

After a million years of churning, the amrit was finally revealed. The devas and asuras resumed their rivalry and, in the end, it was the devas who gained possession of the elixir of immortality and were destined for everlasting life.

Some historians and archaeologists argue that the 216 smiling faces that make up the actual temple itself represent Buddha and King Jayavarman VII, but others argue the four-headed towers represent the four-headed Hindu god of creation, Brahman. Nevertheless, just like most other Angkor temples, elements of both Buddhism and Hinduism can be found within Bayon.

Another intriguing location to visit in Angkor is the Ta Prohm Temple. This temple is also known as the “Tomb Raider Temple,” a nickname which came about after the popular 2001 movie featuring Angelina Jolie was filmed there.

After its construction in the 12th century, Ta Prohm was a Buddhist monastery and university bustling with scholars studying the way of enlightenment. Today the temple has been partially overtaken by nature, as tree roots have augmented the ruins with their natural beauty.

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Despite being slowly swallowed up by the Cambodian jungle, the visible carvings and statues of the Ta Prohm Temple remain impressive, and even controversial. One of the most fascinating bas-relief carvings that leave people questioning its meaning is one that appears to be a stegosaurus.

That’s right—among the chiseled carvings of ancient gods is an ambiguous piece of artwork depicting a creature with four legs and spikes along its back. While some citizen theorists claim this is proof that dinosaurs walked alongside humans, others believe the depiction to be that of another animal—possibly a rhinoceros or a wild boar amongst foliage. Its true representation is just another mystery in the greater enigma of the ancient Khmer Empire.

Curious about exploring these ancient temples, but need assistance planning your Cambodian vacation?

Visit your nearest MCCS Tours+ office and speak with a travel agent today for help booking flights and accommodations. For Tours+ locations and hours of operation, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/tours. 

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PHOTO CREDIT

Did you really think we could leave out chocolate? Leaving out these beloved morsels—the official edible substance of Valentine’s Day exalted for centuries—would truly be a crime!

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 with luxurious offerings from local brands such as Meiji, Morinaga and Lotte which are prominently featured in just about every store or shop selling food in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. While these are great 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. Fashion Candy products are available at almost all San-A malls on island.

Timeless Bean to Bar Chocolate, located in Chatan, 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—hand-sorting 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, the Timeless Chocolate Harbor View Café in Chatan and the Seaside Chocolate Factory near Baba Park in Sunabe.

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Tucked away on the northern part of Kouri Island near Nakijin is a spectacular natural coral formation that’s a perfect place to take a stroll 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 on 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.

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PHOTO S BY KIRSTIN SPANU

If a romantic city escape is what you had in mind, look no further than the Hyatt Regency in Naha! Your sweetheart deserves a Regalo from MILANO GRILL—located high above the Naha skyline on the 18th floor. This luxury Italian fusion dinner course includes seven dishes made with seasonal and high-quality ingredients from Japan and abroad.

The meal begins with a greeting from the kitchen, following a series of hors d’oeuvres with delicacies like foie gras, caviar and truffles. The seafood portion of the course includes abalone, lobster and seasonal fish. The main dish—which is cooked right in the dining room—features melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu Beef from Saga Prefecture. End the night with their seasonal winter dessert comprised of matcha cake, black soybeans, chestnuts and meringue. Visit tablecheck.com/en/shops/hyattregencynaha-milano-grill/reserve to book your reservation.

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PHOTO CREDIT

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLAMDAY STYLE OKINAWA YOMITAN HOTEL & RESORT

Glamday Style Okinawa Yomitan Hotel & Resort, located on the picturesque coast of Yomitan, is a perfect spot to spend an extra-special Valentine’s Day, or even days! For dining, Glamday Style will be offering a special Valentine’s Dinner at RYUKYU DINING TASTE, the resort’s main dining room. The meal begins with an assortment of pinchos, the “Okinawan Colorful Box” (which consists of eight traditional Okinawan appetizers) and gōyā champuru. For the main course, diners can choose from agū pork shabu-shabu, Wagyu beef simmered in awamori and brown sugar or roasted Ishigaki beef. The meal is finished with a dessert of a delicate Blancmange made with Okinawan black sugar and jasmine tea with a twist of bubbly tea. To complete the evening, a bouquet of roses can be ordered as an option to be delivered during or after the meal.

Those looking to extend their Valentine’s Day can take advantage of Glamday Style’s Special Valentine’s Accommodation Plan which features an overnight stay in a deluxe semisuite twin room with breakfast, dinner and all-you-can-drink with snacks at the Infinity Pool Lounge. The Infinity Pool is heated and can be used by hotel guests all-year-round.

Both Glamday Style Okinawa Yomitan Hotel & Resort Valentine’s Specials are available via reservation only. To make yours, contact reservation@glamdaystyle.jp for accommodations and taste@glamdaystyle.jp for dinner with your name, desired date and contact information. For more information on either plan, visit them on Instagram or Facebook at @glamdaystyle_hotel_and_resort.

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Looking for a close-to-home dining experience that offers luxury without an overly luxurious price tag? Let MCCS take care of it all with minimal stress on you and maximum effort from their expertly trained chefs! All bases are covered—regal dinners fit for a king and queen, a Galentine’s date night with friends and Family Fun Nights for everyone to enjoy! Choose from spending your Valentine’s at Taiyo Steakhouse February 9–14, where you can enjoy an extravagant prime cut accompanied with your choice of sides, or head to Kinser Surfside February 14—where they’ll be serving up a spectacular fourcourse dinner for adults only.

Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster will be offering a special Valentine’s Date Night Dinner on February 14, and a fireblazing Valentine’s teppanyaki show will take place at the Habu

Pit on MCAS Futemna (for more on that, check out p. 42). If you feel like spending the night with your girlfriends—Butlers Officers’ Club will be hosting their annual “Be Mine Tonight” event where you can eat, dance and have a great time with your best gal pals. If you’d like to spread the love amongst your family members, come to Family Fun Night at Tengan Castle or Kinser Surfside on February 15. Tengan Castle will be offering Valentine’s Day crafts, movies and desserts for the whole family. Kinser Surfside will have a bounce house, games, raffle prizes and a Valentine’s Day cookie decorating station.

All MCCS Valentine’s Day specials require reservations and/or tickets, which are available online. For more information about each restaurant’s hours, phone numbers, prices and reservations, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/clubs.

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Living on Okinawa offers many opportunities to explore the island’s beauty—not limited to warmer weather, pristine beaches or seemingly endless colorful reefs teeming with sea life to explore.

Extend a weekend by a day and go hiking in northern Okinawa.

Trekking on the steep trails together will feel refreshing with the cool winds and lack of summer humidity.

Sign up for a whale watching tour with MCCS Tours+ and gasp in awe together as you witness a humpback whale breach for the first time.

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 final chocolate morsel is digested. 

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FITNESS + FUN

Picking Strawberries … …with MCCS Tours+

Whale Watching Season Is Here The Perfect Winter Water Activity Okinawa may be synonymous with the summer season thanks to its warm temperatures and beaches with crystal-clear waters, but don’t sleep on the winter season. This time of year brings much-appreciated cool weather along with some fun guests— humpback whales!

Adult humpback whales are typically around 60 feet long and weigh roughly 80,000 pounds. They have long pectoral fins that can grow up to a third of their body length and help propel them gracefully through the water. They are well known for their crowd-pleasing aerial behaviors, which can be witnessed around the Kerama Islands during your MCCS Tours+ Whale Watching Tour.

You might be asking yourself…why do they come to Okinawa of all places? These majestic creatures live in all oceans and have one of the longest

migrations of any mammal on the planet. They spend their summers feeding in the northern seas around Russia and Alaska, then in the fall they begin trekking south to the warm waters of Okinawa to mate and give birth. Female humpbacks raise their young during the winter before they begin their return northward, where the cycle begins again. These roundtrip journeys can be up to 10,000 miles long!

If you are prone to seasickness (or just cautious), we strongly recommend taking anti-motion sickness medicine before your whale watching tour. For booking and more information visit okinawa.usmcmccs.org/tours. Participants must be ages three years and older to join the tour. The registration deadline is one week prior to your preferred tour date. For more information, call MCCS Tours+ at 646-3502. 

Ahhh, the cool breezes of Okinawa enveloping your body as you’re bundled up for the chilly month of February preparing for the arrival of the sweetest holiday of the year. Speaking of sweet, did you know that it’s also strawberry season on island? Take advantage of the cool breezes and the aforementioned strawberry season and head out on a sweet Strawberry Picking Tour with MCCS Tours+. Head to Chura Ichigo Nanjo House where you’ll enjoy an all-you-can-eat 40-minute session relishing in farm-fresh strawberries until your heart bursts with happiness! Takehome packages are also available, so make sure to bring some yen to buy some strawberries for those unlucky enough to miss this tour. The deadline to register for this tour is one week before your desired tour date and prices are $38 for adults, $25 for children ages 7–11, $22 for children ages 3–6 and FREE for kids 2 & under. For more information, email MCCS Tours+ at tours@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call them at 646-3502. 

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FITNESS + FUN

Courtney Open Kickball Tournament “Thumping” Your Way to Victory There’s nothing more enjoyable than an afternoon of kickball—the nostalgic sound of the ball’s distinct “thump” when you make perfect contact, teammates cheering you on as fielders scramble frantically to grab the ball and touch you out, while you cross home plate triumphantly scoring the winning run. Are you longing to hear that magical echoing thump as you kick your team to victory or just missing the competitive aspect of playing with others? Well, you’re in for a treat because Camp Courtney will be hosting an Open Kickball Tournament on March 9–10 at their athletic field for all SOFA and non-SOFA ages 16 and over!

Register online via okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/adultsports by Monday, March 4 at 1 p.m. for $125 per team. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. For more information, check out facebook.com/semperfit. If you have any questions about the tournament or other upcoming Semper Fit events on Camp Courtney, email adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 622-7297. 

Youth Swim Team Tryouts Lifelong Passion While it’s true that taking your little one for a dip in the pool is a great way to de-stress and exercise, why not help turn their love for swimming into a lifelong passion by trying out for the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST). Who knows, they may be a budding 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte or 7-time Olympic gold medalist and 21-time world champion Katie Ledecky in the making! Youth Swim Team Tryouts for the spring season are slotted for February 26 at the Camp Foster Aquatic Center, so mark your calendars!

Tryouts are for swimmers ages seven or older who have not been part of previous ODST seasons. Participants can expect to swim three com-

petitive strokes for the tryout itself: The first swim is a 25m butterfly, followed by a 25m backstroke and a 25m breaststroke. The final swim is a 50m freestyle (front crawl). A brief rest between the two 25m swims is permitted (must be less than 20 seconds). Besides the short rest, each swim must be non-stop with swimmers displaying proper breathing and stroke techniques. The tryouts take approximately 5–10 minutes, and parental interaction is discouraged.

If you have any questions about ODST’s upcoming tryouts, please email mccsaquatics@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Go Red for Women Awareness for Cardiovascular Diseases Women who live a sedentary lifestyle and have a poor diet are much more susceptible to contracting cardiovascular disease (CVD) as they age. According to the American Heart Association, CVD is the number-one leading cause of death for women in the United States—claiming over 400,000 lives annually. The CVD mortality rate is greater than all forms of cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and diabetes combined. Choosing healthier lifestyle habits—including more exercise, maintaining a healthy diet and not smoking—can prevent this disease from taking lives. Join MCCS Semper Fit Health Promotion on February 9 at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster as they ‘Go Red’ to bring awareness of CVD by wearing red. The event is FREE with no registration required. Come on out and show your support for all the women in your life. For more information visit facebook.com/ mccsokinawa.semperfit or okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/healthpromotion. For direct inquiries, call 645-3910 or email mccshealthpromotions@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org..  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 29

FITNESS + FUN

Spring Swim Lessons Feel Confident in the Water

Show Your Heart Some Love

By Getting it Pumping February, the month of love, is brimming with heart decorations of all kinds. But did you know it is also American Heart Health Month? Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Staying active and focusing on your heart health is the ultimate act of self-love, which should be a priority beyond the month of February. Enter the Energizing Your Heart Fitness Party!

Get your blood pumping and train your cardiovascular system at our Aerobathon,

featuring two 50-minute back-to-back sessions.

Join us in the Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Aerobics Room on February 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is FREE and open to all with base access; children ages 12-17 may attend with a parent/legal guardian (with a Youth Gym Authorization Card). Those interested must register by February 4 via Eventbrite. For more information, email mccshealthpromotions@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

With plenty of ways to exercise, swimming is a great option that doesn’t involve getting drenched in sweat and acquiring that distinctly unpleasant “gym smell.” In addition to keeping you fit, learning to swim will also enable you to enjoy your stay on Okinawa even more!

Okinawa’s abundant coastlines are filled with countless areas to swim and explore the world beneath the waves—don’t you want to spend your days enjoying the ocean (or pools) without feeling skeptical of the water? The Foster Aquatic Center will be offering a variety of American Red Cross classes from February 12–23 that will teach you how to feel cool, calm and collected but, most importantly, confident in the water. The deadline to register online is February 8 via okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/pools. For inquires, email mccsaquatics@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org, call 645-3180/098970-3180 or visit facebook.com/ mccsokinawa.aquatics. 

Serve it up!

MCAS Futenma Open Volleyball Tournament Whether you’ve been around the sport for a long time or you’re new to the game, you probably already know the best thing about volleyball—it can be played year-round, almost anywhere. For example, you can find yourself playing on a hot, summer day setting and spiking in the sand while soaking some up Vitamin D, or diving for an impressive save that helps win your team the game indoors when it’s cold and dreary outside.

Oh, and speaking of playing indoors, MCCS Semper Fit is hosting the MCAS Futenma Open Volleyball Tournament Saturday and Sunday, February 10–11 at the Futenma

Semper Fit Fitness Center. Teams are limited to 10 players, including a coach who will only count against your player limit if they decide to compete. And, most importantly, make sure you bring the heat because there will be awards for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

This event is open to participants island wide ages 16 and up, so rally your team and head over to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ adultsports to score your team’s spot before 1 p.m. on February 5 for $175 per team. If you have any questions about the tournament, send a quick email to adultsports@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or call 636-2672.  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 31

MARINES + FAMILIES

Thrive as a Parent Develop Your Strengths with the New Parent Support Program As a parent, witnessing the different stages of childhood is a time to treasure. The moments are fleeting—one day we’re staying up all night changing diapers, the next day it seems like we’re teaching them how to be potty trained and before we know it, they’re off to school.

Parenting can be difficult, as each child is unique, and nothing quite prepares anyone for the task of being a parent—it’s a journey that unfolds with age. Firsthand experience is the best way to teach you about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of being a successful parent, but the journey can be a stressful (and oftentimes scary) one.

So, what is a new parent to do in this situation? They can start by enrolling in a class like Thrive. Thrive is a new parenting class offered at the Camp McTureous Community Center (Bldg. 5239)

that educates individuals with children ages 5–10. Thrive offers evidence-based, best-parenting guidelines that promote positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices. Classes are offered every Tuesday beginning March 5 until April 9 (excluding March 26) from 9:30 to 11 a.m. This program is designed to build on your parenting strengths and develop new skills as your child grows and develops. Attendees will learn how to praise and encourage their children in appropriate ways, understand how to help children manage their emotions, set healthy boundaries, promote physical health as well as manage stress and anger for both children and parents to promote a more positive dynamic within the household. Register by March 1 by emailing fapprevention@usmc.mil or calling 645-2915. 

The MCCS New Parent Support Program Welcome to Your Wonderful Journey Are you a parent or caregiver that is embracing the incredible journey of raising children aged 0 through 5, or are you eagerly anticipating the arrival of a brand-new bundle of joy?

The MCCS New Parent Support Program (NPSP) is here to support you on your wonderful journey with services that will build confidence as well as enhance the skills you already have!

This uplifting program takes a strengths-based, family centered developmental approach actively fostering six essential protective factors—Parental Resilience, Social Connections, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, Nurturing and Attachment, and Social and Emotional Competence of Children. NPSP is for ALL expectant SOFA-status parents and families on Okinawa with children under 6— whether they are confident and thriving or struggling and in need of assistance.

The dedicated NPSP team is comprised of trained professionals—including social workers, counselors and registered nurses—and all stand ready to provide support through personalized home and/or office visits. The NPSP operating hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although registration is required for services, the process is simple and quick. For more information on home/office visits and other services offered by the NPSP, reach out to them by calling 645-0396 from a DSN line or 098-970-0396 from off base or a cellphone. Inquiries can also be emailed to npspokinawa@usmc.mil. Visit the New Parent Support Program online at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/npsp.  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

MARINES + FAMILIES

Camp Foster Career Summit With Hiring Our Heroes Mark your calendars and prepare your resume because Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is coming to Okinawa! For over a decade, HOH’s mission has been to help transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers find meaningful employment through their hiring events, fellowship programs and online tools.

This month, at the 2024 Camp Foster Career Summit, attendees will receive insider tips from hiring managers and recruiters about interview best practices and salary negotiation tips. Participants will get the opportunity to meet, network and interview with military ready companies actively hiring for open positions in industries locally and nationwide. This year’s event will feature separate programs designed to meet the individual needs of service members and military spouses, respectively.

The event will kick off on Monday, February 26 with a networking reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ocean Breeze. On Tuesday, February 27, the Camp Foster Community Center Auditorium doors open at 8 a.m. for service members. The program will include talks about economic success, career exploration with industry leaders, preparing for interviews, SkillBridge, apprenticeships as well as networking and job searching with LinkedIn. The Northern Breeze room (inside Ocean Breeze) opens its doors at 8:30 a.m. for military spouses. The program will include talks on professional storytelling, building an impactful resume, leveraging LinkedIn, networking and HOH programs. The event will conclude with an in-person hiring fair from 1 to 4 p.m.

Registration is now open at hiringourheroes.com/event-registration.

For more information call 645-3151 or visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ fmeap. *No federal, DoD, Marine Corps or MCCS endorsement of private organizations are intended or implied. 

HITT SUL Course Upgrade Your Unit’s PT All units must be fit according to PT standards, but if you want to push your unit’s performance to the next level, the HITT Small Unit Leaders (SUL) Course is for you. Open to active-duty Marines and Sailors E4 and above, this course equips you with the knowledge to improve your unit’s overall performance and tactical readiness; the next 5-day course runs February 26 to March 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Camp Schwab Power Dome Fitness Center HITT Facility.

Due to its time-intensive nature, this program qualifies as a temporary place of duty and requires command approv-

al. SUL participants should expect a mix of intellectual learning in addition to hands-on, physically demanding work, so come ready with a notebook, pencil and dressed in your green-ongreen PT uniform. Those interested must complete Semper Fit Basic Fitness (MCI 4133A) and Semper Fit Advanced Fitness Course (MCI 4134A) prior to taking the SUL Course.

To register for the course, email mccshealthpromotions@okinawa.usmcmccs.org or stop by the MCCS Health Promotion office on Camp Foster before February 19. 

FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 35

MARINES + FAMILIES

Four Lenses Sip & Paint Fun & Informative Date Night There are numerous types of personality tests out there, all of which aim to help us understand ourselves. Four Lenses is a color-coded personality temperament model based on the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, who discovered that each person has a unique personality spectrum or lens that they see the world through.

Four Lenses is comprised of four colors: green, orange, gold and blue, each with their own personality profile. Think of them as colored lensed glasses that transform the way we see and experience the world. We often struggle to communicate with those who see the world through a different lens than us, so taking the assessment along with your spouse can give you the tools to better understand each other.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, this Four Lenses Sip & Paint Workshop at Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster is the perfect evening for anyone! Grab your partner, sip on a non-alcoholic drink and unleash your inner artist. Curious what color you might be?

During the event a certified trainer will guide you in assessing which one of the four archetypal temperaments you fall under.

This event is FREE and open to SOFA ID card holders. Join MCCS on February 15 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for a unique date night filled with laughter, creativity and relationship building. Door prizes and light refreshments will be offered. Deadline to register is February 9 at noon via Eventbrite. For more information, call 645-3689 or email mcftbokinawa@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Blind Date with a Book Find Love through Reading Valentine’s Day—a day full of flowers, chocolate and love marked annually on February 14— was believed to originate from the ancient Pagan holiday/festival known as Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a matchmaking lottery in which both males and females would draw names from a jar and be paired up for the duration of the festival to see if they were the right match. Nowadays, thankfully, we don’t have such random drawings; we get to fall in love with whomever we choose. A holiday embedded with romance, lavish displays of affection and candle-lit dinners that spans partners, parents and pals is a testament to how much someone means to us.

In the same spirit of “never judging a book by its cover,” why not read a book that takes you on a blind date at MCCS Libraries on Camps Foster, Courtney, Hansen, Kinser and MCAS Futenma? Throughout the month of February stop by any of the aforementioned libraries and pick up your “blind date” as you choose a book based on its vague clues to see if it’s the book for you! Forget the nerves, candies and roses because this date is low maintenance and only requires your undivided attention (and time). If the book is right for you, take it a step further and show off your date in a group setting by gathering with avid readers at the book clubs on Camps Foster and Kinser. This event is open to SOFA ID card holders. For library details and inquiries, email libraryprogram@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/libraries or follow facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries.  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 37

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Hansen Festival Celebrating its 30th Anniversary!

After a season of cool temperatures, donning thermals and puffers, whale watching off the Keramas and visiting rugged coastlines to view sakura (cherry blossoms) blooming throughout the island, it’s the perfect time to be outdoors basking in ideal temperatures before the humidity takes over in the coming months leading up to summer.

Start preparing for spring as you sing along to catchy tunes and rockin’ vibes at the annual Hansen Festival—this year is especially special as 2024 marks the festival’s 30th anniversary!

Come on out to Camp Hansen February 24–25 from 1 to 9 p.m. for two days of fun for the entire family. There will be music to dance to, military static displays, Fun Land carnival rides for kids to be astonished by, as well as food and drinks from various vendors to satiate the heartiest appetite.

Kanpai Lounge will also be providing beverages for adults—drink responsibly, and remember, “Not One Drop” if you’re going to be driving (have a designated driver ready or call a taxi). Coolers, glass bottles, alcohol and pets are not permitted—please leave them at home.

Gate 1 and 2 will be open for SOFA and non-SOFA patrons with Gate 2 open to pedestrian traffic only—don’t forget to bring your photo ID! Visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/festivals for more information about the festival and entertainment schedule. 

Celebrate the Big Game… …with a Big Game Breakfast One of the unique things about being stationed on Okinawa is getting to watch the Super Bowl on a Monday morning—thanks time zones—but hey, at least you get the day off work! It also means that instead of gorging on traditional greasy foods like pizza, chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs and chips on what’s considered the second biggest “food holiday” in the United States, you get to enjoy the championship game of America's most-popular sport with a hearty breakfast spread. If waking up at the crack of dawn to cook said spread sounds like way too much work for a Monday, then we have the solution.

Cheer for your favorite team and enjoy the halftime show without the hassle of cooking. This Super Bowl Monday, February 12, you are invited to your local MCCS Clubs and Restaurants for their ‘Big Game Breakfast’ starting bright and early at 7 a.m. Viewing parties will also include prizes, snacks and FREE giveaways! Buffets are $15 for adults, $8 for children (5-12) and FREE for children under 5.

Locations for the festivities include Surfside on Camp Kinser, Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma, Globe & Anchor inside the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster, Butler Officers’ Club on Plaza Housing, Legends Officers’/SNCO Club on Camp Courtney, The Palms Ballroom on Camp Hansen and BeachHead Landing Zone on Camp Schwab. Fast casual dining options are also available at Thirsty’s on MCAS Futenma and the Bayview on Camp Courtney.  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 39

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Hungry like a T-Rex? The Palms is Rolling Out their Chariot of Beef

La Cocina is Rolling Up…

Nothing even comes close to satisfying the ravenous appetite of a carnivore than a hefty cut of beef.

Are you a member of this carnivore category? Then you should definitely head over to The Palms on Camp Hansen because every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., they roll out the Chariot of Beef—loaded with succulent roasted prime rib carved to order. ROAR! Prime rib is available for $3.75 per ounce with a 6 oz. minimum (for those lightweight carnivores).

Your cuts are accompanied by au jus, zesty horseradish sauce and come served with a side salad (Garden or Caesar), loaded mashed potatoes, parsley buttered carrots, creamed spinach, Yorkshire pudding and a warm dinner roll with butter.

For more information on the Chariot of Beef, and more dining options at The Palms, call 623-4375 or visit them online at okinawa.usmcmccs.org/thepalms. 

…to Kinser Surfside SOON Craving tacos and tired of having to track down our food truck? You’re in luck! La Cocina is getting a brick-and-mortar location at Surfside on Camp Kinser! The new location will feature the same authentic Mexican street food menu you know and love, including delicious tacos and burritos.

Choose from succulent Braised Pork Carnitas, lean Grilled Chicken or juicy Chargrilled Steak. Street tacos are topped with onions, fresh cilantro and your choice of salsa verde or roja. Burritos are topped with cilantro rice, borracho beans (tender and creamy pinto beans simmered with bacon, spices and beer), pico de gallo, cheese, fresh cilantro and your choice of salsa verde or roja. Extra toppings like jalapeños, salsa, guacamole and

sour cream are available. Various sides are also available à la carte. Have a big appetite? Make your meal a combo and get a side of rice and beans or chips and salsa, plus a drink to help you wash it all down.

Not on Camp Kinser? Don’t worry! La Cocina food truck isn’t going anywhere—figuratively speaking that is—because the food truck will still be rolling up to Marine Corps installations island-wide. For updates on the Surfside opening, hours of operation and the food truck schedule visit okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/lacocina. For more information on La Cocina food truck—including its availability to support command, unit or other special events—email us at mccsfoodtrucks@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org.  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 41

RESTAURANT REVIEW

An Unforgettable Evening Valentine’s Day Teppanyaki at Habu Pit Text by: Mike Daley | Photography by: Mia Cox

Habu Pit O/SNCO Club Hours of Operation Breakfast Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Sunday Brunch, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Dinner Tuesday–Saturday, 5–9 p.m.

Officers’/SNCO Lounges Tuesday-Thursday, 5–10 p.m.

Friday–Saturday, 5 p.m.–midnight Phone Number 636-3081

A special day calls for a special evening, and the Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma is prepared to turn your Valentine’s Day into an unforgettable experience. Your evening begins with picturesque scenery provided by Habu Pit’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Beyond the club patio and lawn, the East China Sea unfolds below, almost blending into the evening sky—a masterpiece with a sunset palette. However, as gorgeous as this view is, it soon fades into memory as you think about the culinary journey that you’re about to embark on inside Habu Pit’s Teppanyaki Room.

A simple term—teppan means “iron plate” and yaki means “grilled” in Japanese—a teppanyaki dining experience is quite the opposite. Meals are prepared right in front of you by masterful chefs wielding spatulas and knives like they’re conducting a culinary symphony for an audience of two. One of the best parts of the experience is interacting with your chef over several courses of your meal as they perform their magic.

You know that you’ve come to the right place for your special evening—the Habu Pit is the proud owner of the title “Restaurant of the Year” out of all establishments in the Marine Corps worldwide as a winner of the 2023 Food and Hospitality Excellence Award. The Food and Hospitality Excellence Award Program was established by Marine Corps Community Services at Headquarters, Marine Corps to recognize restaurant and hospitality activities that exceed the highest level of operational excellence and service.

Your dining experience at this award-winning restaurant begins with a slightly creamy and aromatic lemongrass soup paired with a garden salad drizzled with a house-made Asian dressing.

As the teppan begins to heat up and the melted butter starts to sizzle, the chef tosses onions, green peppers and thyme-seasoned potato wedges

together, letting the steam hiss before hitting them with brandy and white wine and setting them aflame. After being dazzled by this pyrotechnic display, you’ll keep going back bite after bite, wowed by how perfectly soft the potatoes are.

The metallic clinking of spatulas on the grill top introduces the next course—a seafood appetizer seasoned with butter and finished with a few good squeezes of fresh lemon. You’re now ready for the main event—an expertly prepared entrée of beef and chicken served with colorful, seasonal vegetables and a side choice of garlic fried rice, steamed rice or garlic toast.

Sit back, relax and marvel at the knife skills on display as the chef slices your succulent chicken and generous portion of sirloin right there on the grill and pairs it with seasonal vegetables, adding a pop of color to your plate. Along with dinner, you’ll receive a complimentary rose. A fabulous finale— rum-glazed bananas and ice cream—concludes your special meal.

Valentine’s Day Teppanyaki at Habu Pit will take place on February 14 with reservations available (and required) from 5 to 9 p.m. The five-course meal is $90 per couple (or $45 per person) and the event is for adults only, 18+ years of age.

If you would like to treat your whole family to this experience, teppanyaki dinners at Habu Pit are also available every Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and reservations are required. With a menu that includes seafood, poultry, beef and combination entrées plus a children’s menu, everyone can find something to enjoy.

To make your reservation, please call 636-3081 from a DSN or if calling from off base, dial 098970-5555 and then 636-3081. For more information, and to view the full menu, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs. org/habupit. 

FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 43

KIDS + PARENTS

Happy Birthday!

Let MCCS Bring Life to Your Party Birthdays are full of magic. There’s cake and wish-making, pizza, ice cream, balloons, loved ones and, of course, gifts!

First, let’s talk supplies. Planning a backyard birthday bash? MCCS Special Events has a wide variety of party rentals that will bring all the guests to your yard. Bouncers are customizable to fit the occasion— choose from 12 different themes including Marvel Avengers, Disney Princesses, Hello Kitty, Jurassic Park and more. But that’s not all! They have other inflatables like slip and slides, boxing rings, sumo suits and customizable air frame games. They also have dunk tanks and an assortment of lawn game rentals that will surely keep your guests entertained! For more information, call MCCS Special Events at 645-5828 or visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/bouncers. Looking for presents? The Courtney Arts & Crafts Center, located in Bldg. 4453 next to the Courtney Library, offers a wide selection of Geeki Tikis, Cobi Brick military sets and more. Also, Joy Company Balloons located inside the Camp Foster Community Center can customize the perfect balloon arrangements to fit your party needs!

Next, food. All MCCS Clubs and Restaurants offer catering services with the option to tailor menu items to events. A wide selection of foods are available—just contact the manager or catering coordinator at your nearest club. For those that feel a birthday party cannot happen without pizza, Shisa Pizza at the Foster Bowling Center, stands ready to please. Visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/shisapizza to see their menu selections.

Looking for a venue? Excellence Gymnastics Academy has all-inclusive birthday package available to make party planning a breeze! The package includes private use of the gym (for up to 12 children), an hour of gymnastics activities, friendly coaches, party paperware and favors, as well as 30 minutes in the mezzanine to enjoy food and celebration. Available party times are Saturdays at 2 p.m. Visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/ gymnastics to register and book your party. MCCS Bowling Centers island-wide also have ‘Bowl-In-One’ party packages! Enjoy a bowling party with catered food and beverage, enough lanes for all your guests and FREE bowling shoe rentals. There’s also Glow Bowling available! For more information, visit okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/bowling. 

FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 45

KIDS + PARENTS

Dungeons & Dragons for Kids Learn the Ropes of Role-Playing Do strategic games taking place in a fantasy world excite your children? A popular fantasy tabletop role-playing game that involves critical thinking, creative design and rolling some extraordinary dices developed in the 1970s by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a game that incorporates all those aforementioned atributes while taking gamers on fantastic journeys as they create characters and play in whimsical settings that they and other players fabricate. With over 20 million players in the United States alone, the game is so popular that it garnered over $1 billion in book and equipment sales worldwide.

Is your child having a hard time grasping the mechanics of the game? Fear not, for at Camp Foster Library your child will learn the basics to kickstart them in their fantastical universe with character

creation, role-playing and creating settings to foster a fun learning environment. Join other D&D enthusiasts on February 23 at 5 p.m. as the program aims to teach kids the ropes of the game through age-appropriate learning, vocabulary and demonstrations. The kids program was highly requested by patrons after the adults version had a successful turnout—so here it is!

Come down to the Camp Foster Library to trade gaming knowledge and build friendships with like-minded individuals. The program is open to all SOFA status members on Okinawa between the ages of 10–14. Registration is required and is limited to 10 slots.

For more information, inquiries or to register, call 645-7178 or email fosterlibrary@okinawa.usmc-mccs-org. You can also visit okinawa.usmcmccs.org/libraries. 

Coach Recruitment MCCS Youth Sports With youth soccer season right around the corner, MCCS Semper Fit Youth Sports is looking for volunteer head and assistant coaches to lead teams and mentor children ages 5 to 18.

Volunteer coaching is a great way to engage with the community. Be a positive role model for children and teenagers, share your experience and knowledge of a sport and even get some exercise, as demonstrating how to dribble and properly trap for an hour or two can certainly get the blood pumping. If you’re interested, and you think you’d be a responsible, positive addition to the MCCS Youth Sports community, download the application at okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/youthsports. To complete your registration, print the application, fill it out and drop it off at the Semper Fit

Youth Sports office on Camp Foster. Applications for volunteers 18+ (16+ for assistant coaches) are being accepted now until all vacancies have been filled. The soccer season officially begins in February. If, by chance, you don’t have much background in soccer but would like to coach another sport, keep an eye out for more coaching opportunities in the future.

For information on how to become a volunteer, or if you have any questions, please contact youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.

Alternatively, you can call 645-3533/34 from a DSN or 098-9703533/34 if using a cell phone. For more general information, head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/youthsports. 

FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 47

SERVICES

Stay in the Loop… …with the Liberty App! Sure Wikipedia is great…but don’t you wish it had specific info on your current duty station? Like, what’s the current heat index flag condition on Camp Hansen?

Well, wish no more! The MCCS Okinawa Liberty App is like having a whole platoon of information about being stationed on Okinawa—and right at your fingertips.

You’ll have access to command information (including PCS details and base policies), liberty tools (including important phone numbers), transportation options and much more to keep you in the know.

Under “Events” you will find schedules for various MCCS programs, our food trucks and more! If you tap “Things To Do,” you can find where to eat, shop, visit and stay—both on and off base. If you need a ride back home after participating in an event or an outing, the app has you covered there! The latest update brings an expanded listing of on-base and off-base taxi and daiko services to make sure you have a safe way home.

The app even includes a yen rate calculator, heat flag and sea conditions, typhoon readiness information (TCCOR) and English to Japanese translations of some common phrases.

Last but not least, a total fitness tool is included to help you find wellness resources and track your health when it comes to four fitness factors: mind, body, spirit and social.

Best of all? The MCCS Okinawa Liberty App is FREE! Scan the QR code below for details or download yours from either the App Store or Google Play. 

Warehouse Sale!

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 Warehouse 5600 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the hours of 8–11:30 a.m., the sale is open to SOFA ID card holders only, while both card holders and non-SOFA ID card holders may make purchases from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to warehouse sales, MCCS conducts sealed bid sales for larger items on a semi-monthly basis. Items offered include vehicles such as sedans, vans and trucks, larger gym equipment and even hard-to-get specialty items such as forklifts. Sales are announced on facebook.com/mccsokinawa at the beginning of the month, and sealed bids are accepted Monday–Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the MCCS Supply Branch in Bldg. 5600 on Camp Foster until bidding is closed.

For more information about warehouse or sealed bid sales, contact MCCS Supply via email at warehousesales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or at 645-3954.  FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 49

MCCS DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM 645-5823 | 098-970-5823 okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/drivereducation

SERVICES

Typhoon Motors Sales Your Car Needs Loving Too! In this month of love, why not brush up on those love languages and show your car some much needed loving too? Your Oki clunker may not be the newest whip in the streets, but it does a great job of taking you from point A to point B, make sure you shower it with some words of affirmation. Let’s be real—you spend a lot of quality time in it, and without it, you wouldn’t get to experience all the beauty that Okinawa has to offer.

Why not do some acts of service and book an oil change?

Typhoon Motors will be having 10% off complete oil changes at locations island-wide during the entire month of February. It is recommended to change your car’s engine oil every 8–12,000 kilometers or every 6–12 months. Regular oil changes improve your engine’s performance, extends the longevity and helps your car achieve its

peak gas mileage—all important things to keep in mind for when the time to PCS and re-selling your car nears.

Already intimate with the inner workings of your vehicle? Express your love and affection by renting an indoor stall and lift for only $1, during the Typhoon Motors Presidents’ Day Special. This promotion is available February 18–20 at Camp Kinser, and February 18 and 20 on Camps Courtney and Hansen.

More of a gift-giving kind of person? Head over to Camp Kinser Typhoon Motors from February 16-22 to take advantage of their Presidents’ Day Sale and upgrade your sound system while saving 15% off all speakers (excluding subwoofers). For more information on Typhoon Motors locations, hours and services, visit okinawa. usmc-mccs.org/typhoon-motors. 

Earn Your Independence Get Licensed to Drive on Okinawa Are you tired of having good ol’ mom or pop drive you to American Village? Wouldn’t it be great to meetup with friends IRL whenever you so pleased? All this, and much, much more is possible after earning your SOFA driver’s permit with the MCCS Driver Education Program.

The Driver Education Program is tailored to aid active-duty personnel and families stationed on Okinawa with their POV licensing needs. This program features American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)/AAA certified courses, which includes 39 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-thewheel instruction for those in need. Students who complete the Driver Education Program will receive their SOFA driver’s permit in Japan.

First-time driver classes—open to adult/teen students ages 16 or older— take place at Marine & Family Programs-Resources

(Bldg. 445) and run Monday–Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Refresher courses as well as classes for active duty are held at the Driver Education Office (Bldg. 5677).

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

To find necessary registration forms and the full course schedule, head to okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/drivereducation. For questions about the Driver Education Program, send an email to driver.education@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 098-970-5823 from a cellphone or 6455823 from a DSN. 

FEBRUARY 2024 | OKINAWA LIVING 51

Term IV 2024 March 18 - May 19, 2024

Registration begins: Feb. 26, 2024

troy.edu/pacific

Term V 2024 May 28 - July 28, 2024

Registration begins: April 3, 2024

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

Contact the program coordinator nearest you for more info.

KADENA AB MISAWA AB OSAN AB CAMP HUMPHREYS

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W

hen 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 can be enjoyed (and photographed) yearround—even during the dead of winter.

During the winter months, the hillsides of northern Okinawa turn pink and white with the bloom of sakura and plum blossoms, fields that normally produce rice and vegetables are refreshed with sunflowers, cosmos and even carefully cultivated tulips can be seen en masse in the gardens of Okinawa’s Ocean Expo Park Tropical Dream Center.

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Every year, the Japan Meteorological Association tracks the blooming of sakura trees from the southernmost prefecture in January to the northernmost regions in April and May. Called “sakura zensen,” its progress is covered in the daily evening news. Thanks to Okinawa's relatively balmy winter climate, the sakura zensen begins months before many other Japanese locales see the traditional harbinger of spring. Sakura’s bloom in the northern parts of the island during the end of January to mid-February (typically the coldest time of year on Okinawa), while the rest of the nation avidly watches through their television screens. Some mainland residents even make the trip down to see the most common variety of cherry tree on Okinawa—the kanhi-zakura—in bloom Known as Formosan cherry or bellflower cherry in English and prevalent in Taiwan, the kanhi-zakura have darker, (in some cases almost scarlet) pink bellshaped blossoms. The trees themselves are smaller than their brethren found in mainland. Blooming usually starts atop Mt. Yae, the Nakijin Castle Ruins and Mt. Nago, before spreading southward.

One of the satellite castles of Hokuzan, Nago Gusuku (or castle) was known as Nangusuku to the local populace. The remains of Nago Gusuku are located atop a hill soaring over the city. Today, there are approximately 20,000 cherry blossom trees planted alongside the stairway leading to the top (643 steps—not for the faint of heart), that explode into shades of pink every year. During this time, the Nago Cherry Blossom Festival takes place at Nago Castle Park.

Nakijin Castle was once a mighty fortress, designed to defend the rulers of Hokuzan. It was one of the largest and most impressive of the three kingdom era castles with gardens, stables, several residences for the king’s most important aides, and a palace for the king at the highest, innermost section. Each year, the many hundreds of cherry blossom trees planted on (and around) the grounds bloom making Nakijin a photographer’s paradise— especially in the evenings. In the past few years, Nakijin has been lighting up the ruin’s walkways in the evenings during its sakura matsuri (festival).

Also known as Yaedake, this mountain straddles both Nago and Motobu. It is the tallest peak on the Motobu Peninsula at 1,945 feet, and was used as a defensive position by Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa. The road that winds up Yaedake is lined with tens of thousands of cherry blossom trees. And although the road offers several parking areas along the way, the best way to enjoy sakura at Yaedake is by parking at the bottom and slowly working your way upwards on foot.

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Both cosmos and sunflowers are considered “cover crops”—plants grown for the primary purpose of improving the soil. Since ancient times, farmers have used cover crops to prevent erosion, suppress weeds and replenish nutrients by mulching the cover crops.

Many fields throughout the island have become more and more famed for their cover crops almost as much as the vegetables and rice they produce during productive seasons.

During recent years, fields in Kitanakagusuku, which usually yield leafy lettuces, cabbages, daikon (winter radish) and more, have been attracting more and more people wielding cameras instead of gardening gear.

Why? During off months, more and more farmers have been planting their fields with sunflowers to replenish the soil, turning vast stretches into seas of brilliant yellow. Since 2008, Kitanakagusuku has been holding a Himawari (sunflower) Festival in late January or mid-February (depending on the average temperature) and it has been growing every year. Before COVID, the festival occupied approximately 10,000 square meters of farms land and almost 400,000 sunflowers.

Although Okinawa is quite small, rice production is growing every year. One of the most popular cover crops for rice paddies are cosmos. Two of the best locales to view fields filled with the delicate pink, white, orange, red and purple daisy-like flowers are Igei in Kin Village and the Haneji rice fields in the Kawakami district of Nago City in mid- to late-February. Igei holds an annual Cosmos Festival in mid-February amongst 25,000 square meters of cosmos fields with stalls hawking produce, food and drink and, of course, rice.

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A small grove of approximately 75 to 100 plum trees can be found in a grove in Nago City—in a tiny hamlet known as Oshittai.

Known locally to be where the winter is coldest on Okinawa, Oshittai is one of the only places where winter snow has touched ground on the island. Villagers care for a small armada of bees in hives located within the grove of plum trees and harvest the sweet-tart honey that the bees produce.

Known as ume-no-hana, these delicate blossoms are much rarer than sakura and bloom in colder weather— usually a week or two before the sakura. One of the main differences between ume and sakura is the strong, almost overpoweringly sweet fragrance plum flowers produce when fully bloomed.

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Tulips are probably most associated with Holland (i.e. the Netherlands) by most. During the days of the Ottoman Empire (in what is now known as Turkey), the tulip was considered a symbol of abundance and indulgence and in Turkey represents a symbol of paradise to this day. But, tulips on Okinawa?

Every year during the winter months, usually starting in late January depending on the average temperatures, the Tropical Dream Center located in Motobu’s Ocean Expo Park displays over 48 varieties (over 100,000 flowers) of tulips. Bulbs are carefully cultivated and, in some cases, refrigerated in preparation for the display, which usually lasts around two weeks. This year’s display is slated to run through February 4. 

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LIVING ON OKINAWA

The Onigiri Serves Four (two each) Ingredients 4 cups of freshly cooked Japanese short-grain rice (preferably Koshihikari) 8 Sheets of Mainichinori brand nori strips Sea Salt Fillings such as umeboshi (pickled plums), shake (flaked salmon), tarako (cooked salty cod roe), aburamiso (flaked pork cooked in a sweetened miso) or even tuna fish with mayonnaise

Method of Preparation 1. Wash and cook the rice as directed (one cup of cold mineral water per cup of rice).

2. Divide the rice into eight equal portions after cooling a bit (not too much, or the quality of the onigiri will be compromised). Split these portions in two for a total of 16.

3. Wash hands well with very cold water and soak a bit (a crucial step) before sprinkling liberally with salt. Some place a salted sheet of Saran Wrap on top of the hand so the rice doesn’t stick.

4. Reach in and place one of the portions of hot rice on the flat of one hand and quickly dab a heaping teaspoon of

the filling in the center after making a dimple (CAUTION IT WILL BE VERY HOT). Place the remaining rice on top, covering the filling.

5. Working very quickly, mold the rice into the shape of a right triangle starting at the edges and flipping constantly (cup your hand at a right angle to form each corner). Use enough pressure to keep the onigiri from falling apart, but not too much.

6. Wrap with nori seaweed immediately before serving to preserve its crunchy consistency.

7. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Ogres & Soybeans Setsubun is a Japanese festival that originally descended from ancient China held on February 3—which is considered the day before the first day of spring, according to the lunar calendar.

The general idea of Setsubun is to drive evil spirits, bad luck and sickness away from the home and welcome in good luck and happiness…all by throwing roasted soybeans.

Here is how it is done: First, throw the beans outside the home from doorways and windows (be careful not to hit anybody in the eyes) while shouting “oni wa soto!” (ogres, get out). Next, toss handfuls of beans inside of the home while saying “fuku wa uchi!” (happiness and good luck, welcome inside) to invite the nice stuff into the abode.

In many places in Japan sometimes the father (and on occasion, the oldest son) will don an oni (ogre) mask and the rest of the family members pepper them with soybeans

to frighten the “oni” away. This tradition makes the event more enjoyable for children, although many younger kids dread the occasion as some dads and brothers can get a bit too “into” their parts. After all the throwing is done, it is 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, “why soybeans?”

It is thought that because soybeans grow virtually everywhere while also bringing fertility to the soil and nutritious nourishment to all, that they contained magical powers.

Soybeans were therefore believed to be an effective weapon against evil.

If you are planning in joining the many millions of Japanese in bean throwing for Setsubun this year, please remember one thing—use roasted beans. Unless you want your yard to turn into a soybean farm! 

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