Comment Policy

Okinawa Hai has been up and running for two years in January. We look nothing like what we originally did. We totally wore acid washed jeans and moon boots way back then. Now we're sophisticated in ponytails and whatever clothing Old Navy promises us is fashionable. In two years from now perhaps we'll have another fabulous incarnation. Maintaining such fabulousity requires trips to the powder room to freshen up. A little Botox here, a tummy tuck there, a hatchet to fluorescent lights worldwide. The usual.

Most of the time we roll with the punches and let things flow as naturally as we can in the hopes that we are fairly serving and representing our community. Sometimes we have to raise our voices in order to preserve this site as a safe and trustworthy space for people to speak openly and candidly.

That time has arrived.

We need a comment policy. A policy that ensures that we all agree to disagree and turn the other cheek and do unto others as you would have them do unto you and live and let live and smile on your brother.

There are three rules.

1. We do not accept anonymous comments.

An anonymous comment has many guises.

• a comment posted with the name "anonymous"
• a comment posted with an initial only
• a comment posted with no name at all
• a comment posted with an invalid e-mail address

We reserve the right to remove anything that falls into this category.

2. Comments that are abusive or contain personal attacks will be deleted.

This blog has a diverse audience with a thousand different sensibilities and opinions. We really do want to hear from you. We want to hear your candid and honest feelings, opinions and experiences. Sometimes there will be conflict. We won't always agree and that is fine. MORE than fine.

Just play fair.

3. Comments must be relevant to the post.

There is a goldmine of information in your comments. Especially when the comments are related to the post.

So if you have a question that is only loosely connected to or not connected at all to a post but you just had the notion to ask about where to buy dog collars right NOW even though you're commenting in a post about how to hang pictures on cement walls then hold your horses. Stop and e-mail the editor who might handle that category. Or if you prefer you can post it to the community on Okinawa Hai Society.

4. No blatant advertising.

Self-promotion for one's business in the comments section is not allowed and will be removed by the site manager. If you wish to advertise in an official capacity, please contact Joelle at advertising (at) okinawahai (dot) com.

Most of the time we're just swapping information in a helpful and genuine capacity in the comments. That is a-okay.

Them's the rules.

Ready to play?

Comments?

We would love to hear about your island newbie experiences, tips for island newbies, or suggestions for this section

.

Since conversations on this thread go in lots of directions and often remain unanswered we have closed comments as of March 19, 2009. We can better serve your questions on our forum, Okinawa Hai Society.

1. Take a minute to sign up, please. CLICK HERE.

2. Once you're all settled in, you can click on FORUM and scroll down to the section for ISLAND NEWBIES or join Feedback on Hai.

3. Ask as many questions as your heart desires. You will get a much better response there and the answers will be easier to find when you go hunting for them later.

Comments

[John R. Burgreen III]

Ready.

[carolinedees]

smart plan. :)

[Karen]

I'm curious as to what brought the need for this post on?

[Meredith]

Karen,

We've begun to get comments that are hurtful and we needed to take a stand in order to preserve Okinawa Hai as a place where mud is not slung. A place where critical conversations go down respectfully.

That's the story!

Mere

[AmericanGirlinJapan]

A very good policy Meredith! As my grandma would say, if you don't have something nice to say, well...whisper it to yourself only :)

[Cheryl]

Good policy. I am dismayed, however, that you must post this at all. Shouldn't we all know these things? Play nice, everyone...

[AmyP]

It's sad that it comes to this, seems like there isn't a place on earth people can just place nice these days LOL ...But respect is definately a must for any blog site I feel.. Thanks for standing up for OkinawaHai. Keep up the great work and awesome advice. Thanks for making Okinawa an easier place to enjoy for all of us :)

[Beth Dekraai]

Good for you! While I don't pretend or need to know the motivation behind this post, I just want to praise all of "you" out in the front lines or behind the scenes that make this website flow. You were a lifeline of sanity when we first received orders, a source of excitement when we got used to the idea ,and a valuable on-island tool now that we are here. Thanks for everything!

[Theresa]

Great policy; unfortunate it required posting. You all do a great job, you have made my move to Okinawa more easy and fun than it would have been otherwise. Thanks again.

[Kristin]

Sounds good to me :)

[Ann]

We are looking for a used trampoline with a net. We'd like it in good condition. Would anyone happen to know anyone selling one?

[Dasha]

Ann, our community site, Okinawa Hai Society has a discussion forum for New and Used items for sale or for free! Just click on the Discussion link at the top, and scroll down to the right group. Then if you don't see what you're looking for, post your need. If you don't already have a page, it's free to join. :)

[Van E.]

hmm..this is interesting. life isnt fair..sometimes we get negative opinions the world does not filter positive or negative opinions. people express their opinions. why deny people to express the way they feel and maybe read other peoples opinions and possibly change the way they think--positive or negative? Our country(if you're american) is set up to allow the citizens to express and voice their opinions. and if you cant handle an "attack"..why wake up in the morning?

[Meredith]

Van E.

We embrace all sorts of opinions for sure. Varying opinions are constructive. There is a point when these comments cross that line and are hurtful and cruel. THis is not the place for that.

[Teresa Stigall]

Those who want to post rude comments can feel free to go the Japan Update forum.

I appreciate your decision to keep this site clean.

[Jessica Zenteno]

Hello I just wanted to inform people about my experience with Pats-Sats
When the person from Pats Sats came to my house today to install my cable for AFN he was very rude. I showed him the Ad that listed the service I was getting for $100, and he said that I was missing some cable and a mount ( they were in the box that he did not open) I told him I would call my husband because he said to call if there were any problems. While I am on the phone with my husbands supervisor the guy from Pats Sats grabs his things slams my door and drives away. I did not understand why I was not rude. My husband called and tried to work things out but they said to take our services some where else. Like I said, I dont understand why they were so rude to us all I wanted was my cable connected. I have never experienced something like this ever!!

[Charity]

What I think Meredith is saying is that while it is ok to tell someone "I disagree with your opinion and this is why", it is NOT ok to say "I disagree with your opinion and you're ugly and your momma dresses you funny". I've seen plenty of contrasting opinons on here that were done in a mature way. No one seems to be removing opinions just because they differ with the post.

[Nana Jan]

I would like to give a comment about Rainbow Montessori School . I have two grandchildern that have been going there fow two years and I have to say that it has been a joy to have my grandkids learn as much as they have from there. The teachers are just wonderful and they are so good with the kids. They have patience of a saint . When we first came here we went around to all the off base schools and my grand son said no to all except when he walked into Rainbow . He looked up at me and said this is the one Nana. They even have a summer camp and they love going to that also. The head master of the school is just grand she always has a smile on her face and she will work with the parents with any problem that they may have. I just wish that the grades went higher than Kindergarden for I would keep them in a inviroment that has so much care and love to the childern. So before you decide to send your child to a pre school please take a look at RainBow Montessori. Than you Nana Jan

[Ei]

Hi! Just got orders for this summer to come and see you all! We're very excited, but I had an idea for a blog for you guys -- how about a listing of things to stock up on before you leave the states...I know when I got overseas the first time I spent more money on shipping things to myself that if I'd only known beforehand, I'd have stockpiled (kids clothes, etc) -- what can't you get easily over there that you miss? or what do you find yourself thinking "if only there was a walmart down the street!!" -- thanks for the help; this site is awesome!!!

[Lora]

Hello from the states,

My husband is a civilian contractor who will be stationed at Futenma in April and I had alot of questions but for now I will only post the most important ones. I need to know if anyone has any idea how many times a year can we as spouses are able to travel back and forth on company tab? Also, I have heard alot of talk about the big shipment but what would be the most important in the express shipments. Thank you to anyone who can advise. I think this site has helped me the most.

[ash]

Hi Lora,

I don't know the answer to your first question, so maybe someone else can help out. But, for the express shipment, send your necessities: clothing, dishes, pots/pans, utensils, laundry basket, what you need for work, important papers/documents, maybe a couple books or something else to do to keep you busy when you're not out exploring...pretty much the stuff that you really need and can't live without for a few weeks.

[Lora]

Thank you very Ash,

I just thought of another question. What about gas prices on or off base?

Again thanks

[Snuff]

Hi Lora,

I'd recommend using the search function, a lot of your questions have probably already been discussed. Here's a good topic on Express Shipment / Unaccompanied Baggage:

http://www.okinawahai.com/my_weblog/2008/06/me-my-big-pcs-x.html

Also, I'd recommend looking over the "Island Newbies" section above:
http://www.okinawahai.com/my_weblog/island-newbies.html

That's also a good spot to post questions.

Gas is cheaper on base, then off. ~$1.80 on base?

Not sure about your flight question, probably best to ask the company, because I'm sure they vary.

Welcome!

[ash]

Gas prices on base are about the same as they are in the states, although it takes longer for the prices to change. I arrived last May, and the prices were $4 until the end of Dec./Jan. while the prices in the states were already down. Currently, gas costs $1.87 a gallon. Off base, they charge by the liter, not the gallon, and it's in yen. I've never purchased gas off base because it's cheaper to do so on base, but I think I've seen prices around 70 yen to 200 yen per liter. Which 1 gallon is like 3.785 liters, so it's pricier off base.

[Lora]

Thanks again

[Rene]

Lora,
My husband is also a contractor and as far as our flight goes for us it is a flat amount per year, but it really would be dependant on your husbands company and on the contract. Also the flat amount that we receive doesn't usually cover the full cost of the flight for one person to fly back to the US. It did at one time, but no longer does and my husbands company have opted for several years just not to increased it.

[Lora]

Rene,

FLAT AMOUNT? ok my husband is also retired we tried Space A but I am not allowed to travel without him on this. ok flat amount would be if it only allows for one flight a year then we only get one flight from them and rest is on us. Also what company does your husband work for? I would like to know more about you situation if I could. You can email me at frkzappa2003@yahoo.com. Thank you for the info

[Jerry Hansman]

I am traveling to Okinawa on December 20, 2009 with my 10 year old daughter. We are staying in Naha for Karate training. I would like to take her to a few places to have some kid fun. I have been here before so I know most of the must see's, Shuri Castle, etc. Any ideas?

[Jerry Hansman]

I am traveling to Okinawa on December 20, 2009 with my 10 year old daughter. We are staying in Naha for Karate training. I would like to take her to a few places to have some kid fun. I have been here before so I know most of the must see's, Shuri Castle, etc. Any ideas?

[ash]

Hi Jerry,

Down in/near Naha, there's Okinawa World which has the Gyukusendo (sp.?) Caves, Southern Hill Sports World (has an ice skating rink); if you want to travel north, bit of a drive from Naha, but there's Neo Park, the Butterfly Park, Pineapple Park, Churaumi Aquarium; in the Yomitan area is Forest Adventure Park (has ziplines); there's always the beach and restaurants...you can get directions to all of these by searching the site and find more places.