With TDY TRAVEL DURING PANDEMIC a CHALLEN Age PAGE 3 How a Graying Nation Honors Its Elders Pages 4-5

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Awashwith TDY TRAVEL DURING PANDEMIC A CHALLEN Age PAGE 3 How a graying nation honors its elders Pages 4-5

RECOGNIZING USAG OKINAWA ‘WORKHORSE’ PAGE 3

TOURING TOKYO DURING COVID-19 – VIRTUALLY! PAGE 6

File photos

PAG E 7 Iwakuni family barred from bases after travel incident

BY JOSEPH DITZLER, onset of a second wave of coronavirus cases. STARS AND STRIPES Friday’s release came with an apology: Published: August 28, 2020 “The air station expresses sincere regret The family violated Japan’s to our Japanese neighbors for any anxiety TOKYO — An American family that drew caused by this incident and we will continue rebuke from Japan’s defense minister af- Quarantine Act, along with to strictly enforce appropriate COVID-19 ter skirting coronavirus restrictions in orders in place from risk mitigation measures.” July has been barred from Marine Corps U.S. Forces Japan. COVID-19 is the respiratory disease Air Station Iwakuni, and all U.S. military caused by the coronavirus. installations, for 10 years, according to Ma- The family left Iwakuni on Aug. 25 for the rine statements. U.S., according to an email from 1st Lt. Phil- The family of four arrived July 12 at lip Parker, a spokesman for MCAS Iwakuni, family members were infected with the Haneda International Airport in central to Stars and Stripes. Parker said a family Tokyo and the following day boarded a coronavirus. member employed by the Defense Depart- commercial flight for Kintaikyo Airport, According to the Marines, the family vio- ment has resigned that position; Parker de- which shares a runway with MCAS Iwaku- lated Japan’s Quarantine Act, along with clined to identify the organization. Special 8-page ni, according to a news release by the air orders in place from U.S. Forces Japan and Earlier reports about the incident station Friday. Tests by Japanese authori- MCAS Iwakuni to control the virus’ spread. pullout inside! ties at Haneda later showed three of the Japan at the time was experiencing the SEE TRAVEL ON PAGE 2 2 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 TRAVEL: Family gave false information

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

indicated a family of three; how- Max D. Lederer Jr. Publisher ever, only three of the four fam- Lt. Col. Richard E. McClintic ily members tested positive for Commander coronavirus, according to the Joshua M Lashbrook release. Chief of Staff Defense Minister Taro Kono Chris Verigan Engagement Director singled out the family at a news Marie Woods conference July 15 and called on Publishing and Media Design Director the U.S. to tighten up its corona- Chris Carlson Publishing and Media Design Manager virus testing and isolation pro- Eric Lee cedures. The family’s ban, Advertising and Circulation Manager Kono said the family gave Scott Wheeler false information about its trav- or “debarment,” Okinawa Area Manager el plans. He also cited the U.S. Kentaro Shimura followed a misconduct Production Manager practice, afterwards curtailed, Rie Miyoshi of housing military personnel hearing Aug. 7, one Engagement Manager newly arrived on Okinawa in an Denisse Rauda off-base hotel during their 14- day after the four were Publishing and Media Design Editor day mandated quarantine. Publishing and Media Design Writers medically cleared. ChiHon Kim At the time, U.S. personnel Shoji Kudaka arriving at air bases in Japan Takahiro Takiguchi were subject to quarantine but Layout Designers Mamoru Inoue were not tested unless they ex- Yukiyo Oda perienced symptoms. Yuko Okazaki Kayoko Shimoda Not long after Kono’s state- A flight takes off from Haneda International Airport in central Tokyo, March 18. Photo by Akifumi Ishikawa, Stars and Stripes Multimedia Consultants ment, USFJ ordered anyone af- Max Genao Doug Johnson filiated with the U.S. military, four were medically cleared. them to travel directly to their Contact tracing found no con- Brian Jones Jason Lee Hans Simpson Chae Pang Yi including service members, De- They spent 24 days of isolation quarantine site, but not on pub- tacts linked to the family on the Gianni Youn Robert Zuckerman fense Department civilian em- in their base home, according to lic transportation. The next day air station; of six traced off the Graphic Designers Kenichi Ogasawara Yosuke Tsuji ployees, contrac- the statement. they took the commercial flight station, none apparently con- Sales Support tors and family EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM: The Marine to Iwakuni. tracted the virus, according to Kazumi Hasegawa Hiromi Isa members, to test statement indi- At the air station, they did not the Marines. Ichiro Katayanagi Yoko Noro Yusuke Sato Saori Tamanaha free of the virus cated the fam- immediately enter quarantine, “While deeply regrettable, Toshie Yoshimizu Un Chong Yu before exiting ily arrived at a violation of USFJ and base this incident caused no addi- For feedback and inquiries, quarantine. Haneda via a orders. The three learned their tional cases of COVID-19 within contact [email protected] The family’s ban, or “debar- commercial flight from the positive test results after enter- Japan,” the statement said. To place an ad, call DSN 645-7419 ment,” followed a misconduct United States. From Haneda, ing quarantine, according to the [email protected] stripesokinawa.com/contact hearing Aug. 7, one day after the Japanese authorities cleared Marines. Twitter: @JosephDitzler SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC STRIPES OKINAWA 3

File photo Left: A senior couple, wearing face masks, walk down sidewalk in front of Heisler Park, which is closed due to COVID-19. Laguna Beach, CA on May 14. File photo

Spotlight on USAG Okinawa security guard ‘workhorse’

BY SSG JACOB M. BROWN, diligently to reduce some of organization has been immortal- USAG OKINAWA PHYSICAL SECURITY the stress on his guards and ized in a historical booklet used their families. When to build an esprit de pt. Tomoyuki Hiraoka is schools were closed, the Deputy Guard Chief Hiroaka made sure corps in the organiza- and second in command Right: Man wearing face mask as C the guards schedule tion. protection against coronavirus. of the USAG Okinawa Security was flexible with- His work has been Laguna Beach. File photo Guards stationed on Army in- out compromising essential to the orga- stallations across Okinawa. Hi- the mission and also nization and is consid- raoka is responsible for over 100 made sure to reduce ered a “workhorse” guards including their safety contact and sustain Traveling on TDY and well-being. social distancing mea- for the Guards. He is When COVID-19 started and sures during shifts. good at his job and his adjustments to the normal daily In addition, Hirao- Hiraoka team appreciates his had to be made, Hiraoka took ka has dedicated him- commitment. Hiraoka during the pandemic charge and streamlined gate self to researching was born and raised screening measures at Torii and gathering a comprehensive Station, Naha Military Port and history of the USAG Okinawa in Okinawa and has served the Buckner Communication Site. Security Guards. Through this USAG Okinawa community for is challenging Cpt. Hiraoka has also worked effort, the 70-year history of the 20 years as a Guard.

Editor’s note: At Stripes Oki- them properly. In particular, nawa, we love to share your sto- people tend to wear face masks ries and share this space with under their nose or wear them our community members. Here too loose around their face. is an article written by Jennifer This type of behavior has been Brown, a hospital corpsman at a huge culture shock for me. I U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa. had grown so accustomed to see- If you have a story or photos to ing Japanese people and fellow share, let us know at okinawa@ servicemembers on Okinawa stripes.com. wearing their masks out in public, that in California, the lack of BY JENNIFER BROWN, STRIPES OKINAWA masks on people out at markets, restaurants and other public ar- espite us sending out eas was concerning. good vibes and wishes, In addition to the relaxed D it seems that this pan- adherence to face mask proto- demic continues to create uproar col, social distancing measures among us. For those who have in the States was another issue been stuck at home and have fi- that hasn’t really become a hab- nally begun working again, just it. In Okinawa, both facemask the act of physically going back use, and social distancing is a to work can be distressing. In my normalized part of the culture. case, as someone who has had to In California, this new normal travel during this pandemic, I seems to be taking some time to have noticed many cultural dif- settle in. ferences in regard to wearing As the cases continue to grow masks and social distancing in globally, abiding by the mea- the U.S. and in Japan. sures set forth by health officials On a four-day journey back is so important. The differences to the States, these differences to how the locals are reacting to were predominant amongst my fellow Americans who were se- the pandemic in both my home lective in when and where they country and host country have wore their masks. My trip back made me aware of that. And to California included stops in while travel for me is inevitable mainland Japan and Hawaii, even during this time, I know but it wasn’t until I arrived at I must take control of my own my final destination where the safety and work towards keep- discrepancies in face mask pro- ing those around me safe. tocol were obvious. I expected that after traveling from Japan, Jennifer Brown is a hospital where COVID-19 numbers were corpsman at U.S. Naval Hospital Stripes Okinawa is A Stars and Stripes Community Publication. This newspaper is authorized for publication declining at the time, to the U.S. Okinawa. Originally from Florida, by the Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents where numbers have skyrock- she joined the Navy in 2018 and of Stripes Okinawa are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the has been on island for over a year. eted with no end in sight, there U.S. government, including the Department of Defense or the U.S. Pacific Command. As a DOD newspaper, During her free time, Brown enjoys would be more people wearing spending time with animals, running, Stripes Okinawa may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution face masks. rock climbing, and hiking. She is to remote and isolated locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising Not only were there not as a graduate of the University of in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of those products by many people wearing face- Central Florida and holds a Bachelor the Department of Defense or Stars and Stripes. Products or services advertised in this publication shall be of Science in Psychology. Her masks, but of the ones that were, made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, professional interests include social marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. a fraction of them do not wear work, animal welfare, and children. 4 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AGING WITH pan? Ja in ld n In Japan, people age 65 and older are considered GRACE o s elderly, according to the Act on Assurance of Life’s sunset in the Land of the Rising Sun i Medical Care for Elderly People. The act defines ld people 75 and older as “late stage elderly.” o n Japan has the highest life expectancy at 84.2 years (80.98 for men, 87.14 for women) out of 194 surveyed w nations, according to the World Health Organization in 2018. o (The U.S. ranks 34th at age 78.5.) n 28.4 percent of Japan’s population – 35.9 million people (20.3 mil- H lion women, 15.6 million men) – is age 65 and older. The number increases by 320,000 annually * R n There are 18.5 million people in Japan age 75 and older, up by 530,000 espect f Day in two years.* or the Aged BY TAKAHIRO TAKIGUCHI, n There are 71,274 centenarians in Japan. The number increases by 1,489 STRIPES OKINAWA or Toshiyori-no-Hi. They held a meeting to annually * honor seniors and listened to them speak n The number of the elderly is rapidly increasing in Japan as the num- espect for the Aged Day may call to in order to benefit from their words of wis- ber of children being born declines, causing major concerns over how mind Japan’s rapidly aging popula- doms. The idea spread throughout the pre- a shrinking workforce will continue to fund healthcare and social se- R tion, but that only underscores this fecture, then spread nationwide. curity. national holiday’s emphasis on honoring “Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro-no-Hi) and appreciating the contributions senior was legislated in 1966 according to the Na- * Japanese Ministry of Internal citizens have made to society. tional Holidays Act,” said Yukihiro Miura Affairs and Communications 2019 statistics Celebrated this year on Sept. 21, this holi- from the holiday section of the National - Takahiro Takiguchi, Stripes Okinawa day traces its origins back to 1947 when a Cabinet Office’s General Affairs Division. farming village in Hyogo Prefecture pro- “The purpose of this holiday is to express claimed Sept. 15 as “Day for the Elderly,” respect for the elderly in our communities and wish them longevity.” “I think sometime after Japanese society started recovering from the devastation of the war, people began to think of how they could appreciate the elderly who had eople’ contributed so much to society, and old p how to glean from their wis- or dom,” Miura added. f STRIPES OKINAWA Although the holiday ku ju A statue of Arai Kannon (literally, washing deity) at Ko- a ganji temple in Sugamo, also known as Togenuki Jizoson, is r one of the most popular temples for the elderly to visit in Tokyo. a Many believe that if you pour water on the statue and polish that H part of it with a cloth that corresponds to your own bodily ailment, ‘ you will be healed. Senior citizens can be seen queuing up to wash the statue in hopes of a healing every day. The area is not only popular because of the temple’s statue; the street the temple is on is also a well-known shopping district for older patrons. Over 200 shops line a half-mile stretch of Jizo Dori shopping street, featuring all kinds of goods coveted by the elderly such as clothes, health foods and souvenirs. With Tokyo’s famed shopping district for young hipsters in mind, some locals have even dubbed this street, “Harajuku for old people.” This is a great place to buy Japanese souvenirs because of variety of traditional goods – and pocketbook-friendly prices. The area is particularly lively on the 4th, 14th and 24th of every month when the temple holds a small festival. Jizo Dori shopping street begins a five-minute walk northwest of Su- gamo Station on the JR Yamanote and Mita Subway lines.

Photos by Stripes Okinawa SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC STRIPES OKINAWA 5

Life’s sunset in the Land of the Rising Sun inawa longev g Ok ity gin an BY TAKAHIRO TAKIGUCHI, ch STRIPES OKINAWA s kinawa Prefecture was once long recognized for having the high- y est longevity rate out of all 47 prefectures in Japan. But times have a O changed according to a Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare study Respec y w conducted every five years. Apparently, nothing really does last forever. t for the Aged Da n While a 1995 survey showed that overall there were 22 centenarians for every 100,000 or Toshiyori-no-Hi. They held a meeting to was originally observed on Sep. 15, the Na- r persons in Okinawa – 3.8 times the national average at the time – survey figures show longev- honor seniors and listened to them speak tional Holidays Act was amended in 2003, e ity has been declining in Okinawa ever since. By 2005, male Okinawans had dropped from first t in order to benefit from their words of wis- introducing the so-called Happy Monday to 25th place. s doms. The idea spread throughout the pre- Most recently, in 2015, Okinawan women dropped to seventh place in the survey with a system which moved several holidays to e fecture, then spread nationwide. Mondays to create three-day weekends. Re- life expectancy of 87.44 years, slightly higher than the ministry’s national average of 87.01.

“Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro-no-Hi) spect for the Aged Day has been celebrated W Okinawan men, however, plummeted to 36th place at 80.27 years, just shy of the national life was legislated in 1966 according to the Na- on the third Monday of September ever expectancy for males of 80.77 years. The results are no surprise to Dr. Makoko Suzuki who tional Holidays Act,” said Yukihiro Miura since. predicted the trend a decade ago in an interview with Stars and Stripes in 2013. from the holiday section of the National On this day, many communities honor the Suzuki, now a retired medical doctor, Ryukyu University professor emeritus and co-author Cabinet Office’s General Affairs Division. elderly with parties or ceremonies and pres- of the best-selling “The Okinawa Program: How the World’s Longest Lived People Achieved “The purpose of this holiday is to express ent them with gifts. TV stations usually air Everlasting Health,” conducted a 25-year study of the traditional Okinawa diet. He said the respect for the elderly in our communities senior-related programs such as features on prefecture’s claim as a haven for centenarians (once the most per capita in the world) came and wish them longevity.” the number of elderly in Japan or from an old island lifestyle that literally has been dying out. This has opened the door to dis- “I think sometime after Japanese society the oldest people in the country. eases associated with obesity – once rare on Okinawa – like diabetes, heart failure and strokes started recovering from the devastation of And school children often visit that are now becoming all too common. the war, people began to think of how they facilities for the elderly to enter- “The chief factor is diet,” he said in 2004, pointing a finger at ubiquitous fast-food chains like could appreciate the elderly who had tain them with song and dance. A&W, McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. “Their (younger Okinawans’) eating habits contributed so much to society, and How will you honor the elderly are more westernized, which raises their cholesterol.” how to glean from their wis- in your community on Respect for While older Okinawans still take walks, he added, their younger counterparts, “have the dom,” Miura added. the Aged Day? tendency to hop into a car.” Although the holiday [email protected] “The last two factors are the loss of the Okinawan culture and tradition in our everyday lives,” Suzuki said. “Traditionally, Okinawans were more involved with their community and religious activities, which kept them active.” [email protected]

ike gold rs l te lit g You may have heard of Golden Week, Japan’s string of k four consecutive holidays from late April to early May, but e you probably didn’t know that there is also a “Silver Week” e which occurs once every few years in September. Here’s how it works: W Autumnal Equinox Day is a national holiday that falls on r Sept. 23 (Sept. 22 during leap years). Japan’s National Holiday e Act dictates that when Respect for the Aged Day, celebrated v the third Monday in September, falls on Sept. 21, and it is not a l i leap year, the day between the two holidays becomes another

S holiday – National People’s Day. Combined with the weekend that precedes the Monday holiday, you get the five-day aptly named, Silver Week. The last Silver Week occurred in 2015 after 2009. The next Silver Week will be in 2026. In this leap year of 2020, Autumnal Equinox Day is celebrated on Sept. 22 and along with Respect for the Aged Day (Sept. 21) and regular weekend make up four- day holiday weekend. It can be named a “Bronze Week”, can’t it?

– Takahiro Takiguchi, Stripes Okinawa 6 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

File photo Courtesy photos

Take a virtual tour Arigato Japan hosts food tours and is also hosting virtual experiences due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Tokyo Online: Virtual Experience in Shibuya and Shinjuku Cost: 1500 yen (about $14) per person for one-hour tour. Location: Via Zoom Touring online teleconfer- encing app Information: https:// arigatojapan.co.jp/ Shibuya and Shinjuku destinations/online- experiences/

virtual experience through during COVID-19 – virtually! Shibuya and Shinjuku definitely made me a little more eager to BY MEAGAN HENRY, we followed a fun itinerary full and “Hachiyaki,” taiyaki (filled traveler would pick up some get out and see things in per- STRIPES OKINAWA of ideas for when we can finally waffles) shaped like Hachiko amazing tips and tricks for re- son, but it was a nice reminder of what awaits. The tour was a explore in the future. the dog! ally enjoying Japanese cuisine! reminder to take advantage of hat do you do when Joining me on this one-hour Something I really appre- The amazing thing about you’re ready to expe- the experience we get to have Zoom tour were people at home ciated as a bit of a foodie was neighborhoods like Shibuya rience the hustle and living overseas when we can do W in Italy, the UK and others here how Alex took the time to break and Shinjuku is that they have bustle of Tokyo and can’t hop so again safely. in Japan. Some had canceled down some of the differences so much to do, that even locals on that plane or train to go right plans to come visit Tokyo ear- in how to order common Japa- can always find something new. Meagan Henry is a military now? Well, Arigato Japan Tours lier this year, while some were nese dishes. I’ll admit, even af- I’ve lived in Japan for the last has one option - take a virtual spouse currently living at Yo- just hoping to visit (or come ter a year of practice, I usually year and have visited Shibuya kota Air Base in Tokyo with tour! I had the treat of spending back for a repeat visit) soon. just look at a menu and point at Crossing to see the Hachiko an hour with Alex, one of their her husband, 4-year-old son, With a diverse group, Alex something that looks good with- Statue and walk through Cen- 2-year-old daughter and very experienced guides currently made sure to cover a little bit out worrying too much about ter Gai numerous times but was furry dog. Her background is working from home due to CO- of everything, including his- what it is! So, it was really help- excited to add new places to my in educational technology, and VID-19, to learn about some tory and current pop culture or ful to hear about the different list through this virtual tour. she has contributed to research new sightseeing spots and food events in the area. ramen broths, or sauces and Prior to this experience, I on learning, self-regulation and to try in Shibuya and Shinjuku. Arigato Japan usually hosts styles of grilling yakitori (skew- hadn’t really considered taking resilience and parenting. She From virtually crossing the in-person tours that revolve ered meat and vegetables). Af- tours in Tokyo but now, I think has worked as part of research Shibuya Scramble (one of the heavily around the foods to try ter hearing from a food guide a local food tour would make teams at The Walt Disney Com- busiest intersections in the and I can see why! I can’t wait and walking through areas for a great date night or group pany, Sesame Workshop and world) to getting a zoom tour to go into Shibuya to try the packed with food options to- activity when we’re finally able New York University, and is group photo on Godzilla Road, recommended lobster ramen gether, even the most seasoned to venture out. Arigato Japan’s currently a freelance writer. SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC STRIPES OKINAWA 7

he last 5 NFL teams to lose one game or less in the regular season have all failed to win the Super Bowl. Most notably, of course, is the 2007 Patriots - the 2nd team to ever finish the regular season undefeated. Can you name the most recent team to finish with one loss that failed to win the Big Game?

Stripes Sports Trivia(2015) Panthers Carolina

Answer ContacBiweeklyt CustomerHelp@stripes Crossword -.com Week to get of your9/14/20 free copy of Welcome to the Paci c magazine!

Digital edition also available. Download online

Crossword by Margie E. Burke ACROSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1 Puts in stitches 14 15 16 5 Tiptop 9 Hot sauce 17 18 19 14 Cookie for 20 21 22 23 dunking 15 Watch-step link 24 25 26 27 16 French farewell 28 29 30 31 32 33 DID YOU 17 Kewpie, for one 18 Connery film of 34 35 36 37 KNOW? 1999 20 Go off-script 38 39 22 Trepidation 40 41 42 43 44 apanese often associate “Power Spots” 23 Engrossed by with Shinto shrines and Buddhist 24 Match, in poker 45 46 47

temples, along with large mountains, 25 Conclusive trial 48 49 50 51 52 islandsJ and lakes. In fact, there are about 28 Poe's middle 165,000 shrines and temples, more than name 53 54 55 56 57 58 30 Bic filler three times the number of convenience 59 60 61 62 31 Long, long ____ stores (50,000) within the nation. Among 34 On the way 63 64 65 tens of thousands of Power Spots, Meiji 36 Ammunition 66 67 68 Shrine (Tokyo), Osorezan (Aomori Pref.), wagon Ise Shrine (Mie Pref.), Miyajima Island 38 Arithmetic sign Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate (Hiroshima Pref.) and Izumo Shrine (Shi- 39 Kind of cavity mane Pref.) are extremely popular and 40 Summer 3 Justly deserved 42 Unpretentious 53 Overdo the widely worshipped. beverage 4 Songs for one 43 Showy display praise 43 Unable to sit still 5 Sailor's assent 44 Computer pros 54 Enough, for 45 Hollywood's 6 Keep in custody 48 Salk's conquest some Danson 7 Like some colors 49 Chilling 55 Kind of scout 46 Make a goof 8 Unpredictable 51 Singer Neville 58 Translucent gem 47 Mr. T's group 9 Tree trickling 52 Bottom of the 60 Anagram for 48 False show 10 Cop to barrel "tap" Kanji of 50 Dog reprimand 11 Bank claim 61 Sassy talk 53 Certain dancer 12 Email folder the week 56 Staff symbol 13 Pilot starter Answers to Previous Crossword: 寝Neru/shin (Sleep) 57 Kind of cap 19 Gladiator's place A L S O A H O Y P A R I S 59 One-sided 21 Railing part F O O L N A P E O B E S E 62 Reduce, as 26 Felix, for one R O O D T R E S K O A L A expenses 27 Like beauty, O P T I C I A N H E L P E R Language Lesson 63 Money substitute they say H E R S A F A R I 64 iPhone assistant 29 ____ and clear A D S E A S I L Y S L I P 65 Spellbound 31 Gathering, as of T R A D E R R A W H O N E 66 Spartan slave things L O Y A L T Y B I S E C T S How much is this? 67 Leak slowly 32 Capricorn's A V E R I O N R E S O R T 68 Telephoto, for creature S E R E S U I T E D M O O one 33 One's partner D E A R T H G O O Biweekly Sudoku - Week of 9/14/20 34 Shed C A V E R N R E C E P T O R DOWN 35 "Way to go!" A L I V E T A R O R I D E Kore wa ikura desuka? 1 Bubbly drinks 37 Sprawling story M U S I C A T O P A V O N 2 Lose ground? 41 Standing S M E L T D E N Y H E R D

SUDOKU Edited by Margie E. Burke Difficulty: Medium HOW TO SOLVE: 2 9 7 6 Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and 7 2 4 9 1 each set of 3 by 3 boxes must 6 5 contain the numbers 1 to 9. Answers to Previous Sudoku: 2 7 8 2 5 7 3 4 9 1 8 6 2 8 1 3 8 5 6 7 4 2 9 4 6 9 2 8 1 5 3 7 3 9 7 2 6 2 5 1 7 8 3 9 4 8 5 7 1 4 6 9 3 8 5 2 8 9 3 4 2 5 7 6 1 9 4 6 1 9 7 2 8 3 4 6 1 5 4 7 1 8 3 4 1 9 5 6 2 7 8 Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate 5 8 6 7 1 2 9 4 3

8 STRIPES OKINAWA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION 75 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 17 − SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 A Taste of Okinawa The 3 ‘R’s to good eating – Restaurants, Reviews & Recipes

8-page pullout STRIPES OKINAWA E OF OK SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AST INAW A T 2 A

Find your new

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Chocolate Avocado Pudding 2. In a medium-sized mixing Ingredients (serves 4) favorite dessert!bowl, combine the first 8 2 large, very ripe avocados ingredients and use a fork to stir STRIPES OKINAWA ½ cup + 1 tsp. unsweetened dark cocoa just until they are combined. Do powder not over mix. t’s summer fruit sea- 2 packets of stevia sweetener 3. Pour 1/4 cup of the reserved son! Nothing better Pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (optional) juice in a 9 inch baking pan. Add the than fresh baked cob- ½ cup milk (cow milk or nut milk) I peaches and sprinkle the cinnamon on top bler or a cold pudding 2 tsp. vanilla extra of the peaches. to cool you off. Peaches Easy Peach Cobbler 4. Top the peaches with the flour mixture are in season in Japan Directions and gently spread to evenly distribute. through the beginning Ingredients (serves 8) 1. Peel, pit and cube the avocado. Place the Pour the remaining reserved juice on top of September, but lucky 2/3 cup ripe avocado, mashed cubes in a blender. of the flour mixture. Do not mix the juice for you this recipe calls 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 2. Add the remaining ingredients and blend into the topping. for canned peaches. And, 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth. 5. Place the cobbler pan in the oven and if you’re looking for a 1 cup whole wheat or oat flour 3. Place the pudding in the refrigerator and bake for 40- healthier alternative for 1/2 cup milk chill for at least an hour. 45 minutes. dessert, add avocados to 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (optional) the mix for a creamy and 1 tbsp. and 1 tsp. baking powder Tips decadent pudding your 1/4 tsp. nutmeg • Serve with a sprinkle of crushed almonds, family will love. Give 1/2 tsp. cinnamon walnuts, or peanuts. these recipes from your 3 cups canned sliced peaches, in their own • Add ½ cup Greek vanilla yogurt to the Commissary a try and juice and no sugar added recipe and then make frozen “pudding find a new favorite des- 1/2 cup of the canned peach juice, reserved pops” sert! and divided – Recipes courtesy of DeCA

Taste the Hawaiian vibe at Hale Noa Café Owned by a chef in Hawaii, Hale Noa Café has been attracting a wide-range of foreign customers. With its Hawaiian vibe, Hale Noa serves up the some of the best of the 50th state’s favorite foods. We choose the fresh- est ingredients for the best taste made from scratch. Enjoy Macadamia Nut Pancakes, Hawaiian Bowl, Fresh Poke Bowl and more! Hale Noa’s fluffy French Toast with berries and crème brulee sauce is to die for! Afterwards, wash it all down with one of our healthy and homemade smoothies. Start your day with a superior breakfast at Hale Noa Café. SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 E OF OK STRIPES OKINAWA AST INAW A T 3 A Get your greens! Try a healthy spin on a breakfast favorite

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALLIE WHALEN, building up their immunity, right? vinegar to really help these pancakes STRIPES OKINAWA I wanted a healthy pancake that get fluffy. The apple cider vinegar used something a little better than all- also helps with the absorption of the f you’re looking to make your purpose flour and one that still packed nutrients in the healthy ingredients. breakfast healthy, I’ve got the the nutritional punch with spinach. Also included, but optional, is hemp You won’t regret starting your I perfect recipe for you! You prob- day with these nutritional pow- What I’ve created uses half oat flour seed powder. It’s high in protein, fi- ably have all the ingredients in your erhouse pancakes! They’re (easily made in your blender while ber, antioxidants, and chlorophyll. pantry and if you don’t, it’s easy to even great for lunch and din- substitute with what you have on you puree the spinach!) and half all- I love sneaking it into baked goods ner, too. hand. Make your breakfast fun with purpose flour. I’ve increased the bak- and smoothies! The hemp seed pow- some naturally green and delicious ing powder and included the combina- der will also make these pancakes an These pancakes are: pancakes! Everyone can benefit from tion of flaxseed meal and apple cider even deeper shade of green. Refined sugar free Dairy free Oil free INGREDIENTS Vegan 1 ripe banana 1/4 cup flaxseed meal If you have limited ingredients at home consider these changes: Plant-based 2 cups coconut milk 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar High in protein 1 cup spinach 1 cup all purpose flour l use 2 cups of oats or 2 cups of all-purpose flour instead of the Full of spinach 2 tbsp hemp powder 1 tbsp baking powder half-and-half blend Perfect for kids of all ages! 1 cup oats 1/2 tsp salt l omit the hemp powder if you don’t have it or can’t find it 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp cinnamon l omit the apple cider vinegar if you don’t have it, or use regular vinegar l use an egg instead of the flaxseed meal l use honey or granulated sugar instead of maple syrup l use your favorite plant-based milk or cow’s milk instead of coconut milk l use an equivalent amount of greens you have on hand if you don’t have spinach

Just keep in mind that I’ve chosen these ingredients because of their nutritional value and added benefits to our health. I love being able to take a normally not-so-heathy food, like pancakes, and make it a great option for breakfast for my kids. I also love being able provide a plant-based breakfast in a delicious way!

DIRECTIONS

1 Preheat griddle or cast iron pan to medium heat. These pancakes will also Add the banana, coconut milk, spinach, hemp pow- 2 freeze great. Make a big batch der oats, maple syrup, flaxseed meal, and apple ci- so you can eat healthy break- der vinegar to a high powered blender. fasts all week long. 3 Blend for about a minute then add the all-purpose Allie Whalen is a culinary artist and amateur flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. photographer with a love for the outdoors. She 4 Blend again until just mixed and whisk in any lumps. has recently begun sharing her experiences online where she talks about natural and healthy 5 Spoon about 1/4 cup of the pancake batter onto the ways to take care of your body and the world around you. She is a military spouse based in pan. Okinawa near Camp Hansen. Allie and her family 6 The pancakes are ready to flip when they start bub- are excited make beautiful Okinawa their best move yet. There they enjoy the rugged, tranquil bling. life on the northern parts of the island. You can Cook on each side until browned. It will only take a find Allie’s blog at alliemwhalen.com, where she 7 details her travels, basic conservation techniques, couple minutes for each pancake to cook. home education, and leading a healthy lifestyle. STRIPES OKINAWA E OF OK SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AST INAW A T 4 A 2. Calpis What you might know as “Calpico” is a milky Japanese drink that was inspired by the Mongolian airag - basically fermented horse milk. Calpis was Japan’s first lactic acid drink, first sold in 1919. The drink is supposed to be mixed with water or milk, which is one of the reasons why it became immediately popular. And it’s condensed, so this Japanese drink keeps well even without refrigeration. Ramune Nowadays, the 1. Classic Japanese drink! drinks you’ll find in any Ramune is one of Japan’s most famous convenience store and carbonated soft drinks, maybe due to its unique vending machine are Calpis Water, a pre-diluted bottle shape or its regular appearance in manga version of the original, and Calpis Soda, which is and anime. Ramune, a term coming from the carbonated Calpis Water. Of course, this classic English “lemonade,” was invented in 1872 and Japanese drink comes in a variety of fruity thus is among the oldest of Japan’s lemonades. flavors as well. Simply look for a white bottle The characteristic marble in the neck of the glass with blue dots and enjoy a refreshing sip! bottle earned Ramune the nickname of “marble soda” and is also the reason why many people Bonus: The drink was renamed “Calpico” in might find it hard to open and drink. the West because many people feel that Calpis Despite its fame, you won’t find Ramune sounds uncomfortably close to a less than in vending machines or convenience stores in appetizing word combination. Japan, but rather have to check a supermarket or beverage store. However, this popular lemonade is a staple of Japanese summer festivals and can be found at numerous stalls in various flavors!

Bonus: To open a bottle of Ramune, simply use the little plastic opener provided with each drink and push down the marble! Top 10 Quirky Japanese Drinks! LIVE JAPAN

ooking for a nice, refreshing drink can be its very own adventure when sightseeing in Japan. As you scour convenience store aisles and examine the colorful selection of the many vending machines found all around the city, you’ll come across a variety of names and beverages that you’ve might never heard of before – what exactly is Pocari Sweat? Can you drink that?! L Naturally, Japan has a rich and fun selection of its own tasty soft drink varieties, from modern sugar delights to refreshing iced tea. Come with us on a wild ride through Japan’s top 10 drinks!

9. Melon soda Ah yes, melon soda – although the bilious green color of this Japanese soft drink might seem scary, this is a favorite refreshment of many people all around Japan! The melon soda float version is particularly connected to a Japanese childhood. Find the sugary delight at convenience stores, sometimes in vending machines, and at chain stores such as Burger King and McDonald’s! 10. Yakult Japan’s probiotic drink called Yakult is a success all around the world, but the yoghurt drink is a staple in Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets. There is even a job called “Yakult lady” – much like the States’ Avon ladies, the duties of a Yakult lady are to ride a bicycle or motorbike and go from door to door, selling and promoting the probiotic drink. No matter if you like it sweet or bitter, Japan’s convenience stores and vending machines have a rich variety of original soft drinks that are sure to quench your thirst! Now your only job is to taste your way through each of them and find your favorite! SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 E OF OK STRIPES OKINAWA AST INAW A T 5 A

4. Mitsuya Cider This Japanese drink is almost as old as Ramune. Mitsuya Cider was first sold in 1884, and while you might think of an alcoholic beverage when hearing “cider,” this classic refreshment is a carbonated soft drink. The standard Mitsuya Cider is best described as a cross between Ginger Ale and Sprite, but of course, there are various flavors on the market, including many seasonal ones. Mitsuya Cider is sold at any convenience store, most vending machines, and every supermarket. Qoo Bonus: We highly recommend 5. Pocari Sweat the Mitsuya Cider Candy, which 3. Best known for its adorable mascot, Qoo is is quite literally the classic Undoubtedly, this Japanese drink regularly a non-carbonated fruit drink invented by the drink in candy form. It even Coca-Cola Company, marketed mainly towards raises many eyebrows in the West for its comes with the carbon fizz! seemingly questionable name. Pocari Sweat is children and teenagers. First appearing in 1999, a sweet sports drink with hints of grapefruit that Qoo is available in pretty much all of Asia, but was first sold in 1980. It supposedly restores not in the West – it was sold in exclusively in all the electrolytes and nutrients that are lost Germany, for a brief period of time. Qoo is when sweating, hence the name. While Pocari available in any convenience store and rarely Sweat is available as powder and in cans, in vending machines. As a Coca Cola product, you’ll most likely come across the PET bottles however, it can be ordered at Japanese most of the time – they’re an inherent part of McDonald’s! every convenience store, vending machine, and supermarket. Top 10 Quirky Japanese Drinks! LIVE JAPAN ooking for a nice, refreshing drink can be its very own adventure when sightseeing in Japan. As you scour convenience store aisles and examine the colorful selection of the many vending machines found all around the city, you’ll come across a variety of names and beverages that you’ve might never heard of before – what exactly is Pocari Sweat? Can you drink that?! 6. Canned coffee Naturally, Japan has a rich and fun selection of its own tasty soft drink varieties, from modern sugar delights to refreshing L Canned coffee is a real Japanese drink iced tea. Come with us on a wild ride through Japan’s top 10 drinks! original that hit the market around 1970. This beverage is most notably found in vending machines in all kinds of varieties, from black and strong to milky and sweet. Japanese vending machines are famous for offering both hot and cold drinks, and canned coffee is a very notable example of this. Convenience stores have a rich assortment of different canned coffee creations Ah yes, melon soda – although the bilious as well. green color of this Japanese soft drink might seem scary, this is a favorite refreshment of many people all around Japan! The melon soda float version is particularly connected to a Japanese childhood. Find the sugary delight at convenience stores, sometimes in vending machines, and at chain stores such as Burger King and McDonald’s! Iced green tea 7. Japanese drink of choice! Mugicha, roasted While the concept of iced tea is said to have 8. barley tea been invented in the United States in the 19th Refreshing summertime Japanese drink! century, iced green tea is a staple drink all over Japan. Generally unsweetened, this healthy When talking about tea in Japan, most refreshment is offered by various different people immediately think green. However, one companies and is quite literally found in every of the most beloved drinks of the hot Japanese single vending machine and convenience summer is actually mugicha, or roasted barley store. If you want to quench your thirst in an tea. The slightly bitter taste of barley tea is a authentically Japanese way, iced green tea is wonderful refreshment, especially on brutally the way to go! hot days. A staple of convenience stores and vending machines, barley tea is also sold in tea bags and often made at home in households all over Japan. STRIPES OKINAWA E OF OK SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AST INAW A T 6 A 10 Japanese food movies, anime to marathon while you #stayathome

BYFOOD you #stayathome, tune into Japan’s greatest hits: these Japa- nese food movies and anime. e are living in strange times at the moment, and we As food culture is huge in Japan, it’s no surprise that there are all doing our part to flatten the curve and slow W the coronavirus crisis by practicing social distancing are countless Japanese films and anime that revolve around the and staying at home. With all of the unexpected free time we topic of food. Delve into Japanese culinary culture by watching have right now, why not take this opportunity to catch up on these top-rated Japanese food movies and anime, all while you some of Japan’s motion pictures on your laptop or TV? While stay home, snuggled up under your blanket.

5 Japanese food movies to watch

2. Jiro dreams of sushi

1. Tampopo Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary about the life of Jiro Ono, the legendary sushi master behind the Michelin-starred restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. Nothing is more central to Japanese food culture than ramen. Tampopo is a Japanese classic that that involves The supporting roles are Jiro’s sons who are both su- a huge cast of wacky characters, each with their own food-related storyline. shi chefs, following in their father’s footsteps. Watch In the beginning, the film follows two truck drivers, Goro and Gun, who seek solace in a humble, local ramen the compelling story of Jiro Ono, a man who has ded- shop during a heavy downpour. The owner of the store, Tampopo, is a troubled widow who’s striving to create the icated his life to the pursuit of perfect sushi, and and perfect ramen recipe, and naturally Goro and Gun decide to lend a helping hand on her quest. A mix of comedic his sons who have inherited both his legacy and the and heartfelt moments, Tampopo is definitely one to watch, even better if you do so while slurping a bowl of ramen. pressures that come with it.

Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Website

4.Akanezora: 3. Sweet bean 5. Papa’s lunchbox is Beyond the crimson sky the best in the world

Sweet Bean is a movie with the Japanese pancake This Japanese movie is set in the mid 1700s in Edo, There’s nothing like a packed lunch from a mother. dorayaki at the forefront. This treat is made of a gen- which is now known as Tokyo. Akanezora: Beyond Papa’s Lunchbox is the Best in the World offers a twist erous amount of sweetened azuki bean paste sand- the Crimson Sky is based on an award-winning novel on the traditional family dynamic. Instead of having wiched in the middle of two pancakes. by the famous Ichiriki Yamamoto, and it follows the the matriarch of the family preparing the lunchbox, Watch this moving Japanese film, which follows journey of a young tofu maker, Eikichi, who travels or bento in Japanese, this movie follows the journey the friendship of a dorayaki store owner and a 76- across the country, seeking to set down roots for his of a father, as he visibly struggles to prepare bentos year old woman with a secret sweet red bean reci- very own tofu-making business. for his high school daughter. pe. As the he teaches her the techniques of dorayaki As Eikichi learns his tofu craft from a famous mas- Papa’s Lunchbox is the Best in the World offers an making, Sweet Bean sheds light onto the important ter in Kyoto, he realizes that his tofu doesn’t suit the insight to the importance of the bento. Traditionally, morals involved in Japanese culinary culture, includ- taste buds of the locals in the Edo region. Akanezora: a bento always contains rice and one main dish with ing patience, perseverance, and dedication. Not only Beyond the Crimson Sky, not only brings forth the several other side dishes, all presented appealingly. does this movie teach you the meticulous yet satisfy- fact that similar dishes can have significantly differ- While many may feel like it’s just an ordinary lunch ing process of making dorayaki, but the relationship ent variations around the country, but also educates meal, Japan takes it to a whole new level. By the end between the two main characters also pulls on your about the place of tofu in Japanese cuisine and the of the movie, you’ll learn that the Japanese bento is heartstrings. beauty of its creation process. not just about the food, but the love, connection, and dedication put into it by family. SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 E OF OK STRIPES OKINAWA AST INAW A T 7 A

5 2.Shokugeki no Souma 1. Bartender The first Japanese food anime on your list Japanese should definitely be Shokugeki no Souma. This anime is arguably one of the most popular While this anime series, Bartender, doesn’t focus on food anime cooking anime series ever, and it follows a food, it pays tribute to the exquisite drinks one can get at teenage boy’s journey on his quest to become an upscale bar and shows the art of concocting elaborate to marathon the best chef in his culinary academy. cocktails. This isn’t the entire premise of the show, howev- Every episode definitely features the culi- er. The customers come in with a set of problems of their After you’ve run out of Japanese food nary academy, which is known for food wars own, and the bartender aims to help them with soothing, movies, you might be wondering if there where students partake in cooking challenges are other things to do at home. Continue flavorful drinks. to showcase their skills. The elaborate acts and your binge-watching session with Craving the kind of connection you used to have at your unbelievably real-looking dishes will get you into these Japanese food anime. local bar? Join the Online Happy Hour in Japan for a vir- the competitive spirit of Shokugeki no Souma. tual cocktail class and a chat with a food tourism professional in Tokyo.

3. Yumeiro Patissiere 4. Toriko 5. Ben-to

Another Japanese food anime to have on your list Named after the main character of the anime, Tor- Have a breather from the standard cooking anime is Yumeiro Patissiere. It’s no secret that the Japanese iko follows the adventures of a food investigator who and get started on Ben-to, which is mainly about people are head over heels for pastries, and this anime just aims to find the most unique ingredients in the world. fighting over the best food offered that day. To be more emphasizes the significance of baked goods in the Jap- His trusted partner, Komatsu, joins in on the journey. specific, these people fight for the traditional Japanese anese life. While it may sound like a peaceful experience at first, lunch boxes. From this anime alone, you’ll understand While the anime series targets the younger, female expect more than a few fighting scenes in every epi- that the Japanese don’t kid around when it comes to audience with the dash of romance, it’s suitable for sode. their bento. everyone to watch, following the competitive cooking The duo faces obstacles like monsters that they With this list of Japanese food movies and anime and mouth-watering baked goods featured in the an- have to fight if they would like to use them in the dish- alone, you can dive into the culinary culture of Japan, ime. Best believe that you’ll be craving a pastry after es they’re creating, ultimately piecing together serv- without even hopping on a plane! From the history of every episode of Yumeiro Patissiere. ings of their dream Lifetime Full Course Menu. ramen and sushi to the significance of lunch boxes, it just goes to show that cultural immersion can still be achieved even when you stay at home.

byFood is a platform for food events in Tokyo, with over 80 experiences to choose from and a fantastic resource for learning about Japan’s thriving food culture! What’s more, byFood runs a charitable outreach program, the Food for Happiness Project, which donates 10 meals to children in Cambodia for each person who books a food event through our platform! STRIPES OKINAWA E OF OK SEPTEMBER 17 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 AST INAW A T 8 A

Cooking Homemade pop tarts with kids STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALLIE WHALEN, STRIPES OKINAWA

have learned through the past six years of homeschooling my kids that my favorite way to teach math is by cooking together. Kids get Ito master the basics like addition and subtraction and they also get to practice new concepts like geometry and fractions. Cooking and baking with kids also gives them life-long skills that will help them learn to take care of themselves. One of my most important tasks as a mom is to make sure that my kids know their way around a kitchen and can make healthy choices as adults. Now for the fun part that you probably came here for - homemade pop tarts! We adapted this recipe from the “Baking Class” cookbook by Deanna F. Cook. This is my kids’ favorite cookbook when they feel like cooking something but they aren’t quite sure what to make. It has everything from sweet to savory and has the best step by step guide. “Baking Class” makes it easy for young bakers to help and it also makes it possible for older bakers to complete a project on their own! The original recipe calls for homemade pie crust but we decided to use store-bought. You can use whichever crust you prefer, or whatev- er level of mess you want to clean up in the kitchen when you’re done!

Here’s what we used for the adapted recipe: Bake until the pop tarts are 5 golden brown. We also used n n 2 Pillsbury pie crusts 1 tablespoon coconut milk the leftover pie crust and cut n n 1/4 - 1/2 cup natural raspberry jam Rainbow sprinkles out little sakura blooms to deco- n 1/2 cup Okinawa powdered brown sugar rate the pop tarts.

First, roll out the pie crust 1 and cut the circle into 3 even- ish sections with a pizza cutter. Don’t worry too much about getting the shapes perfect. Sometimes it’s better to let your kids just have Spread a thin layer of icing fun with it and let their creativity 6 over the top of the cooled pop shine. As long as the pieces mainly tarts. We used local Okinawan fit together it’ll work out just fine! brown sugar but if you use standard powdered sugar the icing will be white. The Okinawan brown Next, spread the raspberry sugar really took the flavor of these 2 jam onto half of the squares pop tarts to another level! It had and triangles. If you use a cir- more of a molasses taste after us- cle pie crust you will have an un- ing the powdered Okinawan sugar. even number of cut crust, but it’ll work out perfect when you cut the second pie crust. About half way through we 7 learned that the icing dries quickly! So if you want to deco- rate with sprinkles, make sure you After cutting out the pieces and spreading the raspberry jam do it before the icing hardens. 3 on half, match up the halves with the closest-shaped piece of pie crust. Then crimp around the edges of the pop tarts to seal them. If you want, use a pizza wheel and trim the super thin pieces of pie crust so it won’t burn in the oven.

These homemade pop tarts were a fun project to do together on the weekend. It wasn’t very involved and didn’t take much longer than an hour. If you really want to let the kids go crazy with decorating the pop tarts, give them free reign and let them get fancy! Whether you have kids or not, pop tarts are a blast to make! Scroll down just a little further to find When all of the beau- the links to my favorite ingredi- 4 tiful and imperfect pop ents and baking tools that we tarts are crimped, put used for this fun project. them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake them at 425 F for 10-12 min- Allie Whalen is a culinary artist and amateur utes. photographer with a love for the outdoors. She has recently begun sharing her experiences online where she talks about natural and healthy ways to take care of your body and the world around you. She is a military spouse based in Okinawa near Camp Hansen. Allie and her family are excited make beautiful Okinawa their best move yet. There they enjoy the rugged, tranquil life on the northern parts of the island. You can find Allie’s blog at alliemwhalen.com, where she details her travels, basic conservation techniques, home education, and leading a healthy lifestyle.