Pink Dot Okinawa Event July 14th in Tembusu Square on Kokusai Street

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Info:

We are going to hold 'Pink Dot Okinawa' in order to show our solidarity with a same will/wish to realize more tolerant and inclusive society for LGBT.

We think the color of pink is a symbol of love, peace and inclusiveness.

LGBT & Allies communities in Singapore started 'Pink Dot' in 2009, and same events has been held in cities in the U.S. or other countries.

The color of pink also reminds us of 'PinkShirtDay' which call for anti-bulling in schools. The day originated from an action by 4 students. They bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after a male student was bullied for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school.

Having been inspired and moved by these activities, we decided to hold 'Pink Dot Okinawa.' We hope to enlarge more tolerant and inclusive society in / from Okinawa with global LGBT & Allies communities.

'Pink Dot Okinawa' is to on 14th July in Tembusu square along Kokusai-street in Naha city, Okinawa. We release further information as details are fixed.

Okinawa is one of the most famous tourist areas in Japan and well-known for its mixed atmosphere with Japan and other asian areas. We hope that a great number of LGBT & Allies participants from all over Japan and foreign countries visit Okinawa and gather in 'Pink Dot Okinawa.'

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「Pink Dot Okinawa」是一群人希望能夠創造一個「性少數能夠自在生活的社會」，為了表現自己的意念而穿上粉紅衣服的活動。

「Pink Dot」這個活動是在2009年首次在新加坡舉行，現在也在美國等國家各大都市舉辦。
粉紅色是象徵和平與愛的顏色。我們認為它也是包容眾人，將眾人緊緊相繫的顏色。

此外，也有一個稱為「粉紅襯衫日」的國際性活動，是藉由穿著粉紅色的襯衫提醒大家注意校園霸凌現象。這起源自一個故事：校園中曾有過穿著粉紅襯衫的男孩遭 受霸凌，其他的學生為了聲援這個男孩，停止霸凌行為，於是分送了大量的粉紅Ｔ恤，讓大家穿著粉紅Ｔ恤上學，終於結束了霸凌。

我們為了對這樣的活動致敬，聚集了擁有相同志向的人們，希望能從沖繩出發，並在沖繩開展出一個「性少數能夠自在生活的社會」。

我們希望可以聚集日本本土以及世界各地的朋友，參加「Pink Dot Okinawa」。

「Pink Dot Okinawa」將於2013年7月14日（星期日）於日本沖繩縣那霸市內「國際通」旁的「TEMBUSU前廣場」舉辦。詳細的活動細節將隨時公告。

此外，我們希望可以召集有志一同的朋友一起參加準備活動，會有一個不限參加資格的開放式會議。請與我們聯絡，我們恭候您的參與。

Naminoue Beach Park

Naminoue Beach Park is reborn! Now it features diving/snorkeling beach, BBQ area, multipurpose area, sports activity area, and more. It is also close to Naminoue Beach, Miegusuku Port, and Wakasa Seaside Park, so you have many ways to have fun in 1 spot. Not only people in Naha City, but people from other cities of Okinawa can enjoy here. It only takes about 10 minutes from Naha Airport, so even tourists can come and visit here after their arrival. Would you like to make a plan to visit the new Naminoue Beach Park this summer?

http://www.naminouebeach.jp/

New Local Service

Useful information for foreign tourists and foreign residents in Okinawa! A specialized store has opened today, June 23rd at AEON Chatan in Chatan Town. The store features currency exchange, overseas remittance, and consumption duty drawback. It handles 3 currencies first (USD, TWD, and CNY), and going to handle 18 currencies in the future. If you need to do either job while your stay in Okinawa, please go to this store at AEON Chatan.

Baseball/Sofball & Coaches sign-ups

Take me out to the ball game. Sign up your kids today for the 2013 Youth Sports Baseball and Softball season. Just want to be involved? Become a coach. Registration is going on through June 30. Hit a home run and register today!

Host an exchange student July 31 -Aug 6

The Oshima Youth Cultural Summer Exchange Program is right around the corner and the MCCS Children, Youth, and Teen Program is looking for families to host our exchange student guests in their homes from July 31 through August 6. To take the necessary steps to become host families contact the MCCS Children, Youth, and Teen Program at 645-4505. Become an important part of maintaining the special friendship with the community of Oshima and have an unforgettable experience.

National Theater Okinawa

Have you ever watched traditional Okinawan musical theater play, “Uchina-Shibai”? National Theater Okinawa in Urasoe offers various Uchina-Shibai you to enjoy Okinawan theater culture. One of the major tragic Uchina-Shibai, “Tumaiahkah” will be performed on June 29th and 30th. It is a tragic love story between Tarugani and Umichiru from warrior class family. Tarugani fell in love at first sight with a girl, Umichiru at beach. Tarugani passionately pursued Umichiru and they fell in love each other. However, Tarugani’s father　orderd Tarugani to work at a remote island. Umichiru broke her heart and died　from it. When Tarugani came back from a remote island, he found out Umichiru’s death and a farewell note. He also died from the shock. The play is performed in the second part. The first part will be exquisite Ryukyu traditional dances. How about enjoying Okinawan theater play performed in beautiful costumes and exotic tunes? Venue: National Theater Okinawa (4-14-1 Jitchaku, Urasoe shi, Okinawa) Date and time: June 29th and 30th. Start from 18:30 on 29th and from 14:00 on 30th. Admission fee: 3,500yen

Calendar

Busena Cape

Do you know The Busena Terrace?
It's one of the biggest and famous resort hotels in Okinawa. This is not only accommodation but also one of the best places to visit! There is a area called Busena Marine Park behind the hotel with beach, glass-bottom boat and underwater observatory. You can see fish and coral closer in beautiful sea like you are in aquarium or even in the sea at the underwater observatory and on the glass-bottom boat. The sunset at the beach is one of the good point of the park.
http://www.busena-marinepark.com/english/index.html

Sake Distilleries

Use a Yuirail free pass and visit all 4 sake distilleries in Shuri, Naha City! This unique project has started from June 15th, and you can find out the attractive part of Shuri by taking monorail and visiting 4 distilleries. What you need to do is to show your free pass when you visit each distillery, get stamps there, and you can get a free ochoko (sake cup) after you collect all 4 stamps! You can get a form for stamps at Naha Kuko Station, Kencho-mae Station, Omoromachi Station, Shiritsubyoin-mae Station, and Shuri Station. Anybody who is 20 years old and older can join this project. Enjoy your visit to distilleries!

List of distilleries:

*Zuisen Shuzo (1-35 Shuri Sakiyama-cho, Naha City)
*Mizuho Shuzo (4-5-16 Shuri Sueyoshi-cho, Naha City)
*Shikina Shuzo (2-48 Shuri Akata-cho, Naha City)
*Sakimoto Shuzo (1-25 Shuri Torihori-cho, Naha City)

Komaka Island

Have you ever been to any deserted island in Okinawa?
There is a deserted island called "Komaka Island" 15 minutes by ferry from Chinen which located southern part of Okinawa. When you arrive the island you'll see beautiful blue ocean with white
sands spread out in front of you. You can enjoy swimming at the beach or try snorkeling. However make sure to bring stuffs for snorkeling with you since there is nothing except toilet on the island. If you need anything like foods, swimwear or stuffs for snorkeling there are some shops and rental shop at " Chinen Marine Leisure Center" which is also ferry landing. Inquiries and making reservations are available in English!
operating hours: April-September 9:00～17:30
　　　　　　　　 October - March 9:00～17:00
open: Sunday - Saturday (sometimes close depend on weather)
boat tickets: adults(13 and older) 2,500 yen
children 1,250 yen
babies(6 or younger) free(with per adult)
Tel:098-948-3355

Summer Eisa Events

When the summer hits Okinawa, do you know what it means? It’s time for EISA! “Eisa Night 2013” has started from yesterday, and youth groups in Okinawa City and surrounding cities are going to perform eisa on Saturday & Sunday until August 11th. If the sound of drums and phrase get you excited, you got to go see the performance! The next performance will be on June 23rd (Sun) at MaxValu Awase Branch in Okinawa City. I will post the rest of the schedule here, so if you couldn’t make it for this weekend, there is always another time!

Inquiry: Okinawa City Tourism Association 098-989-5566

Winning for Wilson 5K fun run

Lace up your running shoes and come out to support “Winning for Wilson…”

Wilson is a first grader at Kinser Elementary school who’s been diagnosed with Leukemia. Let’s come together as a community to aid in this family’s struggle!

The 5k run is free, but donations to help this family will be graciously accepted!!

Check out the link below for more info on “Winning for Wilson.”

https://www.facebook.com/events/667088539973913

Kaijin-sai (the Festival of the Ocean’s God)

Kaijin-sai (the Festival of the Ocean’s God) will be taking place in Oujima (Ou Island), Nanjo City. This is the festival to pray for good catch of the fish and safety of voyage, and the small island, about 1.6km (0.99 mile) around, will be filled with lots of visitors on this day. The festival is famous for unique style of haarii (boat race). Some team members jump off from a bridge, jump into the ocean, get on boats and start the race. Some turn over boats in the middle of the race. Don’t you want to come to Oujima and watch the unique style of haarii?

Date: June 12th (Wed)
Time: Main race 8:30-10:10 / Occupational team’s race 10:30-15:00
Venue: Tamagusuku Ou, Nanjo City (coast of Oujima)

Kokusai Street Tour

Do you want to try Okinawan sweets and dress in traditional Okinawan dress? Now you can do both in Naha City! You can take a tour with a tour guide, and the guide will take you to some sweets stores near Kokusai Street. Then, you are able to dress in traditional dress and take photos at the end! You might feel like experiencing typical Uchinanchu (Okinawan people) daily life by taking this tour. If you were interested joining the tour, please contact the office for a reservation or apply on-line.

Date of the tour: June 15th (Sat), 21st (Fri), 29th (Sat)
Time: 15:00-16:15
Meet at: Naha City Tourism Association (2-1-4 Makishi, Naha City)
Fee: 2,000 yen (jr. high school student & older) / 1,500 yen (elementary school student) / Free (5 y/o & under)

For reservation or inquiry: Naha Machimaai Office (098) 860-5780

see Bryan Anderson

There's a real opportunity for you all coming up to see Bryan Anderson, a decorated triple amputee veteran motivational speaker, who will be at the Keystone Theater next week.

Bryan is the National Spokesman for Quantum Rehab, a division of Pride Mobility Corp., and travels the country making numerous personal appearances while delivering his message of perseverance and determination in major rehab facilities. In addition, he is a spokesman for USA Cares, a non-profit organization based in Radcliff, KY that is focused on assisting post 911 veterans in times of need.

Bryan is an energetic and enthusiastic individual who enjoys challenging his limits. He snowboards, wake boards, white water rafts and rock climbs, showing his determination to overcome hardships. For additional background information, you may visit his web site at www.andersonactive.com. 

June 18 @ Keystone Theater @ 1000

Hawaiian Dinner Show

Hawaiian Dinner Show will be held at a reception hall in Nishihara. Uluwehi Guerrero, a multi-award winning artist from Hawaii will first visit to Okinawa and perform with hula dancers include Miss Aloha Hula. His has sweet and soaring voice and his performance is described as “angel’s sing”. You can enjoy his magnificent voice and hula with a nice meal.
Venue: Erythrina Nishihara Hills Garden (431 Tsuhanaha, Nishihara, Nakagami, Okinawa)
Date and time: June 16th 18:00 open, 18:30 start.
Ticket: 10,500yen (adult), 5,250yen( 6 to 12 years old)

Okinawa Events Calendar