This is a blog for all of you in or on your way to Okinawa, Japan. Most of us are connected, in some capacity, to the United States military, though this website has no legal affiliation with such. Because of this, we are short-term guests of the island. It is our aim to connect you with the people, places, and opportunities that allow you to embrace your best Okinawan life. This blog is 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
Once upon a time Meredith Novario lived on Okinawa. In the beginning when her husband left for work it was just her, her baby boy, some morning sickness with a brand new baby boy, a quiet house, and the life she did not have. They kept each other company except for those times when they actually had to leave the house to get food or gas. On those excursions she noticed everyone in the commissary, at stop lights, and on the beach had friends and schedules and laughs to laugh. She couldn't find her place and she wanted a place. She wanted to know and learn and appreciate this mysterious, humid, wise island.
Okinawa Hai was born from her conviction that she wasn't the only one feeling this way. She wanted to create a community where people shared information and experiences so that others could do the same.
HOW IT WORKS
Okinawa Hai is 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.
Contact our Management Team for more information about who we've got working behind the scenes, and how we keep this blog running.
WHAT CAN OKINAWA HAI DO FOR YOU?
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- 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 for gaining info, and our Facebook Q&A Group is a great place to ask all those burning questions.
- If you are new here and trying to get your bearings, this is a place to connect with people and places and activities that tickle your fancy. You can also find members of our community on our Facebook Page. Or even if you're not so new but looking for a way to spice up your ho-hum, boring island life, we can help you find a new place to visit or new restaurant to try out this weekend.
Have a question or concern but don't know where to send it? See our Contact Us page for help!
CONTRIBUTORS
All of the contributors listed below have contributed 10 or more posts to Okinawa Hai, with the most recent first and working back. Want to be on our Wall of Fame? Head over to the Submissions Page to see how you can make that happen.
Marie
Experienced the Hai Life: April 2012 to present
Relationship to the Military: Marine Corps spouse
Okinawa Favorites: sushi, snorkeling, running on the seawall
Currently serving as Okinawa Hai Manager
Amy
Experienced the Hai Life: June 2011 to present
Relationship to the Military: DoDDs teacher on Kadena and married to a civilian working for the Air Force
Okinawa Favorites: Traveling and exploring the island and all the amazing things that are here to see and do, the culture, the amazingly friendly people, beaches, sunsets, festivals, Churaumi Aquarium, Ryukyu Glass, sea-glass hunting on the beaches, but most of all, snorkeling!
Website: www.amymaddocks.com
Angi
Experienced the Hai Life: February 2011 to present
Relationship to the Military: None; I am an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for Urasoe Commercial/Technical High School.
Okinawa Favorites: scootering around the island; the people I've come across; the beaches; taking ferries to outer islands; the cafes; the sunsets; the food.
Website: angishow.blogspot.com
Calyn
Experienced the Hai Life: 2010 to present
Relationship to the Military: USMC wife
Okinawa Favorites: Making friends with the Japanese and learning their language and culture… hoping I will one day be able to have conversations with them instead of just exchanging of words. “Oishii” food, “kawaii” fashion sense, “utsukushii” beaches & sunsets, POPS, being in Asia and space “A’ opportunities, 100 yen store and sticky pics!
Quentin
Experienced the Hai Life: April 2011 to present
Relationship to the Military: Active Duty Stationed at Kadena
Okinawa Favorites: All of the Castle Ruins, the beaches in Onna, Cape Maeda, Manza-mo, Cape Hedo, the Keramas, Kajin-ho...
Erin
Experienced the Hai Life: 2010 to Present
Relationship to the Military: Married to an Airman
Okinawa Favorites: Exploring Okinawa's art community, meeting local artists, trying to improve at bingata, learning Japanese and interacting with friends and neighbors, gaining a new perspective on life & culture.
Website: www.erinschalk.com
Sarra
Experienced the Hai Life: 2009 to present
Relationship to the Military: None, I live on Okinawa as an English teacher
Okinawa Favorites: Shintoshin; the food; the backstreets of Kokusai-dori; Okinawa Prefectural Peace Park; Saicolo; tabehodai & nomehodai; Zamami-jima; purikura; karaoke; conbinis
Monette
Experienced the Hai Life: 2010 to present
Relationship to the Military: married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: The food; Japanese friends and my students; Family Mart, Lawson's, or Coco's; hole-in-the-wall cafes or shops; mama-sans and papa-sans; sunsets; roller slides. traveling to neighboring countries; communicating with the Japanese and realizing that a smile really is a universal language.
Analicia
Experienced the Hai Life: 2009 to Present
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: Goen, the festivals, Cocok's, Sunabe Ba Ba park, Arashi, Comprehensive Park, the people, the views
Website: okinawa365.blogspot.com
Sarah
Experienced the Hai Life: 2009 - 2012 (Served as Oki Hai Manager)
Relationship to the Military: My husband is active duty and I worked as a full-time civilian for the Air Force
Experienced the Hai Life: March 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: The colours, the people, the photographic opportunities, the storms, beaches, graffiti, adventures, food
Website: www.pamelaoliveras.com
Jeanine
Experienced the Hai Life: November 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military: married to an Airman
Okinawa Favorites: Chanpuru Ichiba farmer's market, mango shakes from Su Su Soon, Toguchi beach and watching the sunset from my balcony.
Mary
Experienced the Hai Life: 2008 to 2011
Relationship to the Military: married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: Cocok's Nail Salon, Captain Kangaroo Burger in Nago, Jusco Bakery, Mos Burger, Kokusai Street, Naha Tug of War, Fukushen Gardens
Experienced the Hai Life: 2008 to 2011
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: Going out to eat is my favorite thing to do on Okinawa
Website: thehouseoftraquair.blogspot.com
Experienced the Hai Life: 2000 to 2004 /2008 to present
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine
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.
Experienced the Hai Life: 2008 to 2009
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: by far WWOOFing!
Website: cartoonzombie.blogspot.com
Experienced the Hai Life: 2006 to 2009
Relationship to the Military: Married to an Airman; former Active Duty
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
Experienced the Hai Life: 2007 to 2009
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Sailor
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.
Heather H
Experienced the Hai Life: 2008 to 2011
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine
Okinawa Favorites: I love the food!
Experienced the Hai Life: 2008 to present
Relationship to the Military: Married to an Airman
Okinawa Favorites: Learning the local customs, the cuisine - especially soba!
Experienced the Hai Life: 2007 to 2011
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Sailor
Okinawa Favorites: Watching my daughter become fluent in Japanese, the Japanese commitment to customer service, and the delicious food
Website: www.kimberlymitchellphotography.com
Experienced the Hai Life: 2005 to 2009
Relationship to the Military: Married to a DoD civilian
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
Currently manager of KoreaYe.com
Julia
Experienced the Hai Life: 2005 to 2008
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Sailor
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
Diana
Experienced the Hai Life: 2006 to 2009
Relationship to the Military: Married to a Marine; former Active Duty
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!
Kaho
Experienced the Hai Life: 2006 to 2008
Relationship to the Military: married to a diplomat
Okinawa Favorites: The beaches and the water. Friends. Laid back, easy life and warm climate. Military gift shops.
Website: http://chuzailiving.wordpress.com/
Lan
Experienced the Hai Life: 2005 to 2008
Relationship to the Military: married to a Sailor
Okinawa Favorites: The incredible people & community, living by the sea, and the FOOD!
Click on contributors' names to go to Okinawa Hai posts about each one. Not all contributors have posts about them on this site.
