About Us

MANAGERS

Meredith Novario - Owner and Managing Editor

In 2007 my husband Joe and I arrived on Okinawa with our baby Eli. We got pregnant with Henry before I had even made a life for myself. At home for the first time, a mother for the first time and my first tour with the military all made my head spin. I started Okinawa Hai as a place to connect with people from the comfort of my government furnished home. As founder and managing editor, I find great pleasure in this virtual community we've created to bring people together.

Joelle Yamada - Submissions Editor and Advertising Coordinator

In April 2007, my family arrived on island.  I stumbled upon Okinawa Hai just a few weeks later and started submitting posts to Meredith that summer.  Being part of the editing team and now managing the advertising and new submissions from all of you has been one of the highest lights of my time on Okinawa.  The information here helped me feel both comfortable to survive our time overseas as well as energized to try new and different things.  We will be leaving soon (with 2 more children than which we arrived!) and I will miss the beauty (sakura is one of my favs!), yumminess (not sure what I'll do without soba and C.C. Lemon), learning (new fruit & veggies from the farmer's markets and my son's experience at Japanese yochien) and friendships (yoga moms, church friends, book club gals).  What a ride!

Website:  joelleyamada.wordpress.com

Heather Gelormine - Content Editor

My husband's job with the Army brought us here to Okinawa in August 2008, and we've loved the experiences that living here has brought to our lives.  I began using Okinawa Hai as a how-to/where-to/what-to resource on island living shortly after moving here, and became an editor in the spring of 2009. Later that year I moved into the position of Content Editor, and now I'm working behind the scenes to help make this website more user-friendly and the information more accessible for all our readers.  If you find a glitch on the site, or information that is far past its expiration date, I'm the one to contact!

Website: www.critterchronicles.net

Tara Howes - Hai Society Forum Manager

We are an Army family of six that has been on island since June of 2008.  I found Okinawa Hai in the middle of our PCS and it kept me sane. When I arrived I wanted to help others who are on their way here. I love this island and I'm excited to be moderating our sister site Hai Society. If you haven't joined yet, come by and say hi.

Website: www.thehowesfamilyadventures.blogspot.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Dasha

Experienced the Hai Life:  July 2008 to October 2009
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Marine
Currently Residing:  Retired in Texas
Okinawa Favorites:  by far WWOOFing!
Website: cartoonzombie.blogspot.com

Diana

Experienced the Hai Life:  January 2006 to May 2009
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Marine; former Active Duty
Currently Residing:  Carmel, CA; relocating soon to MD/VA area
Okinawa Favorites:  Enjoying the beautiful beaches with my family, the laid back lifestyle, and the kind-hearted locals. Of course, one cannot forget the scrumptious local cuisine!

Heather H

Experienced the Hai Life:  July 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Marine
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites:  I love the food! :)
Website: www.HeatherLHansen.com

Heather N

Experienced the Hai Life:  May 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  Married to an Airman
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites:  Learning the local customs, the cuisine - especially soba!

Jannine

Experienced the Hai Life:  July 2000 to November 2004 / February 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Marine
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites:  So, so many…..exploring the many hidden gems on this island; hitting the beautiful beaches in the summer time; trying the various restaurants written about on Okinawa Hai; making friends with the locals; taking advantage of cultural opportunities; visiting the outer islands, etc.

Jeanine

Experienced the Hai Life:  November 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  married to an Airman
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites:  Chanpuru Ichiba farmer's market, mango shakes from Su Su Soon, Toguchi beach and watching the sunset from my balcony.

Julia

Experienced the Hai Life:  2005 to 2008
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Sailor
Currently Residing:  near Pensacola, FL
Okinawa Favorites:  Japanese culture and food, the friendliness of the Okinawan people, the parks and beaches; the noontime and evening melodies played over the loudspeakers off-base, the garbage truck song, and little boy urinals in the ladies' bathrooms

Kaho

Experienced the Hai Life:  March 2006 to July 2008
Relationship to the Military:  married to State Department employee
Currently Residing:  Washington, DC, soon to relocate to Jakarta, Indonesia
Okinawa Favorites:  The beaches and the water.  Friends.  Laid back, easy life and warm climate.  Military gift shops.

Kandy

Experienced the Hai Life: August 2006 to August 2009
Relationship to the Military:  Married to an Airman; former Active Duty
Currently Residing:  CA
Okinawa Favorites:  The friendly and efficient customer service, big bats, vending machines on every corner and the beat of the Eisa drummers breaking through the weight of the humidity on those hot summer nights.
Website: kandid.wordpress.com

Kelly

Experienced the Hai Life:  Winter 2005 to Summer 2009
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a DoD civilian
Currently Residing:  Chesapeake, Virginia
Okinawa Favorites:  Yomitan.  The ocean.  Mintama's. Jakkepoes. Yomitan Monogatori. Okinawa pottery.  Sounds of eisa.  "Set" menus.  The green stick in your Starbucks cup to keep from spilling. Amazing, amazing people. Nail art.
Website: www.shisastory.com

Kimberly

Experienced the Hai Life:  July 2007 to present
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Sailor
Currently Residing:  Okinawa, but soon relocating to San Francisco
Okinawa Favorites:  Watching my daughter become fluent in Japanese, the Japanese commitment to customer service, and the delicious food
Website: www.kimberlymitchellphotography.com

Lan

Experienced the Hai Life:  September 2005 to June 2008
Relationship to the Military:  married to a Sailor
Currently Residing:  Chesapeake, VA
Okinawa Favorites:  The incredible people & community, living by the sea, and the FOOD!

Larissa

Experienced the Hai Life:  May 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Marine
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites:  Going out to eat is my favorite thing to do on Okinawa
Website: thehouseoftraquair.blogspot.com

Mary

Experienced the Hai Life:  2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  married to a Marine
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites:  Cocok's Nail Salon, Captain Kangaroo Burger in Nago, Jusco Bakery, Mos Burger, Kokusai Street, Naha Tug of War, Fukushen Gardens
Website: maryandseansadventuresabroad.blogspot.com

Pam

Experienced the Hai Life: March 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Marine
Currently Residing:  Okinawa
Okinawa Favorites: The colours, the people, the photographic opportunities, the storms, beaches, graffiti, adventures, food
Website: www.pamelaoliveras.com

Staci

Experienced the Hai Life:  August 2007 to August 2009
Relationship to the Military:  Married to a Sailor
Currently Residing:  San Diego, CA
Okinawa Favorites:  My simple Okinawan life, Hirayasu Yochien (my son's school), the colors in the ocean, living on the seawall, elderly people sweeping the front of their houses, cicadas, Family Mart, Lunch-Sets, and the genuineness of the Okinawan people. 

All of the contributors listed above have contributed 20 or more posts to Okinawa Hai.  Want to be on our Wall of Fame?  Head over to the Submissions Page to see how you can make that happen.