About This

This is a blog for all of you in Okinawa or on your way to Okinawa. Most of us are connected, in some capacity, to the United States military*. As such we are short-term guests of the island. We aim to connect you with the people, places, and opportunities that allow you to embrace your best Okinawan life. This for for all of us here, by all of us here. I write, you write, he writes and she writes. It is a community of folks in the same boat helping each other out.

 THE CREATION STORY

I'm Meredith. Meredith Novario. Once upon a time I lived on Okinawa. And in the beginning when Joe left for work it was just me, my baby boy, my morning sickness with a brand new baby boy, my quiet house and the life I did not have. We kept each other company except for those times when we actually had to leave the house to get food or gas. Everyone in the commissary, at stop lights and on the beach had friends and schedules and laughs to laugh. I couldn't find my place and I wanted a place. I wanted to know and learn and appreciate this mysterious, humid, wise island.

Okinawa Hai was born from my conviction that I wasn't the only one feeling this way. I wanted to create a community where people shared information and experiences so that others could do the same.

I'm now in a faraway land called Virginia. And with the support, intellect, humor and patience of all of the contributors - readers like you! - behind the scenes here we have created something bigger and better than I could have imagined.

WHAT CAN OKINAWA HAI DO FOR YOU?

• If you are sponsoring a family, this could be the ground level for them as they prepare to move here.
• If you are moving here, this could be a way to get relevant information, ask for information that is not here and communicate with people who are in Okinawa and probably had the very same questions and concerns as you do right now.  The Island Newbie page is your perfect jumping-off point.
• If you are here and trying to get your bearings, this is a place to connect with people and places and activities that tickle your fancy.
• If you have been here for a spell and are looking to extend yourself in a few new directions, this is your place.

HOW IT WORKS

In the past we've had regular contributors who posted weekly on a specific topic.  As time passed and this blog has evolved, we've found a need and desire for a greater community voice.  YOUR voice.  The voice of all who live, work, and play on this island.  

Okinawa Hai is now run on Submission Power, which means we only post on new topics when we've got your help.  Want to join in the fun?  Hop on over to our Submissions Page for information on how to join our community of writers.  Take a look through the topics we've covered and familiarize yourself with our content.  Return often to learn more.  Comment if and when you see fit.

And thank you for being here.  We're glad you've found us.

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*For legal-ish reasons, we need to let you know that Okinawa Hai is not military or government sanctioned.  We might be here on Okinawa because of our affiliation with the US military, but our behavior here is not Government Approved.  Along those lines, Okinawa Hai is not responsible for the content on any external sites that we may have links to, but if you notice that there's something wildly inappropriate or just plain wrong on a site we've linked to, send us an email and we'll take care of it.