okinawa hai!

CONTRIBUTED BY MONETTE EAMES Wrestling 3 One-two-three! Ding-ding-ding-ding!!! I remember being in intermediate school, saving up my lunch money to buy wrestling magazines and praying that we didn’t have to do family things on days when I had to watch wrestling. The guys in my class loved my magazines and were amazed at how much [...]

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We were recently invited to enjoy a complimentary dinner and show at The Orchid.  Sarah & Tara enjoyed the evening with their families, but the opinions are all ours. CONTRIBUTED BY SARAH FORTE When you think of traditional Okinawa what comes to mind? Maybe it’s Eisa dancers, sanshin players and taiko drummers pounding out their [...]

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CONTRIBUTED SARRA MCMILLAN Shortly after my arrival in Okinawa in December 2009, a new-found friend pulled me towards the flashing lights and screaming sounds of teenagers playing arcade games. “Have you ever done purikura?” she asked.The word was as unknown to me at that time as arigatou and irasshaimase, so I just looked at her [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON Next time you’re looking for a fun activity for your family over the weekend, why not consider a visit to the Gala Sea Salt Factory in Yomitan?  I know you’re thinking, what’s so fun about salt? That’s what I thought too, but let me tell you, a visit to Gala is [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON Located on Camp Kinser, the Battle of Okinawa Historical Display houses a fascinating collection of artifacts, photos, and memorabilia.  The museum is a volunteer only operation and maintains its collection from pieces donated through the generosity of veterans and private collectors, items recovered from construction sites and places of historical interest, [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON In Okinawa, we are fortunate to be able to attend a traditional tea ceremony as practiced in Kyoto, the cultural center of Japan. I recently witnessed one as part of my personal “Month of New Challenges”. The Tea Ceremony as we know it today originated during between 1336-1573 for samurai warriors [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER NORDELL My parents instilled a love of live theatre in me from a very young age. My family has always been involved in local community theatre. At first it was just my father and then my sisters began to act in the plays as well. While I was never able to overcome [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER NORDELL Since I was little I have loved to watch people bowl. There is something about watching the ball roll quickly down the lane and knocking all of the pins over – it really is a beautiful sport. Now if I was the one bowling it would be more like “watching the [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KIMBERLY KADIASANG  Southern Hill Sports World The is an amazing place for families to have a fun day out.  Okinawa Sports Complex has various activities such as: Ice skating Bowling Batting Cages Video Arcade Pool Hall Kitakeisan The prices vary with the different activity you choose to do.  The great thing is that [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER NORDELL World War II ended on August 15, 1945. In Japan the day is known as Shuusen-kinenbi (終戦記念日), which literally means the “Memorial day for the end of the war”. In 1982 the Japanese government issued an ordinance that designated August 15 to be “the day for mourning of war dead and [...]

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