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DRAGONS ABOUNDIN OKINAWA

PAGE 3

TRAFFIC SAFETY

FIGURES GET YOUR

ATTENTION ... AND A

SMILEPAGE 4

RISE, FALL, COMEBACK OF BATTING CAGES

IN JAPAN PAGE 5

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CAMP FOSTER – Principal James Strait has led Defense Department schools through a hurricane and a global pan-demic, and his nine years of academic leadership have not gone unnoticed.

Strait, 51, a soldier-turned-educator in charge of Kubasaki High School at Camp Foster, a Marine Corps base on Oki-nawa, was named the 2021 Principal of the year by the Department of Defense Edu-cation Activity, according to a DODEA statement.

year and after graduating in 1994 served six years on ac-tive duty followed by 16 in the Reserves. He retired as a chief warrant officer four.

During his Army service, Strait deployed to Haiti in 1994 and twice to Iraq, he said.

Strait got his first job as a principal in Minnesota. He joined DODEA in 2012 and was assigned to Fort Camp-bell High School in Clarksville, Tenn., and then Ramey Unit School at Fort Buchanan, Puer-to Rico, in 2015.

Strait was in Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria and its

School,” DODEA Pacific South District Superinten-dent Jim Journey said in the DODEA statement. “He has worked tirelessly with stu-dents, staff, and stakeholders

to increase the sense of com-munity, pride, and belonging at Kubasaki High School.”

Strait credits his students and staff for the honor, he told Stars and Stripes at the school.

Strait said he grew up in a tough inner-city community in San Antonio. He attended Bethel University in Minneso-ta, joined the Army his junior

Strait was lauded for bring-ing the community together to support Kubasaki’s students and excellence in education.

Next, he’ll compete with middle and high school prin-cipals from the civilian world for the National As-sociation of Sec-ondary School Principals’ Prin-cipal of the Year award, DO-DEA-Pacific spokeswoman Mi-randa Ferguson told Stars and Stripes. The winner will be an-nounced in October.

“Mr. Strait’s leadership has helped to revitalize and reinvigorate Kubasaki High

STORY AND PHOTO BYMATTHEW M. BURKE,STARS AND STRIPES

Published: April 28, 2021

Kubasaki educator named DODEA Principal of the Year

EXCLUSIVE NEWS FROM:

SEE PRINCIPAL ON PAGE 2

Laughs of joy could be heard every-where.

“Ha ha ha!” “Oh my god! I am just gonna crawl!”Exhilarating voices filled the air. Wheth-

er they succeeded in staying on floats or ended up falling into the ocean, I could see smiles on everyone’s faces.

The location was the ANA Interconti-nental Manza Beach Resort, and the at-traction was Ocean Park - an obstacle

course on Okinawa’s beautiful waters.The course is a water attraction where

people enjoy a series of different obstacles at sea. Think of the TV shows American Ninja Warrior or Wipeout.

Among all the water activities that the resort has to offer, this is arguably the most popular, especially among Americans, ac-cording to Kasumi Kinjo of the hotel.

“We have many people coming to enjoy the attraction even in the morning,” said Kinjo.

On the beach, I saw exactly what Kinjo

described. Even though it was a weekday morning, many Americans kids, as well as Japanese and other tourists, were there, challenging the giant float.

This attraction has two types of zones, “Kids” and “Challenge.” Challenge zone features slopes, slides, tight bridges with pillars blocking the way, and trampolines. Kids zone, on the other hand, seemed easy to me. But the moment I stepped on the gi-ant float, I realized that I was wrong.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SHOJI KUDAKA,STRIPES OKINAWA

VOLUME 14 NO. 47 JUNE 24 − JULY 7, 2021 FREEOKINAWA.STRIPES.COM SUBMIT STORIES TO: [email protected] FACEBOOK.COM/STRIPESPACIFIC

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A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION JUNE 24 − JULY 7, 20212 STRIPES OKINAWA

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aftermath in September 2017. Maria killed approximately 3,000 people total, directly and indirectly, according to NBC News. It inflicted about $90 bil-lion in damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, ac-cording to the National Hurri-cane Center.

“It was pretty brutal,” he said.

When Strait took over as principal at Kubasaki in Octo-ber 2019, the first thing he did was open a can of paint and take a brush to the 75-year-old school.

Strait said his leadership style is to tackle problems in a hands-on way to get buy-in from the community. It may be years before they get a new school, so beautifying it to make the student experience better was the first step.

“My philosophy is that every kid deserves a quality educa-tion,” he said. “It doesn’t mat-ter their race, their education background or their special needs.”

Strait said he keeps an open-door policy with parents and teachers and has overseen early interventions when kids’ grades take a downturn. He also meets regularly with Marine com-manders to listen to their con-cerns so he can solve problems

importance of education and what is expected of them and to increase minority participation in advanced placement classes.

“We’re dedicated to the stu-dents here,” he [email protected]: @MatthewMBurke1

opportunity,” he said. “I try not to panic and just trust in the system and trust that DODEA will do their best to get the kids back on track.”

Going forward, Strait wants to start an academy for ninth-graders so they can learn the

and take as much pressure off deployed service members as possible. Their focus should be on the mission, he said.

Experience prepared him for the wrinkle posed by the coro-navirus.

“I just think it’s another

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

PRINCIPAL: Strait reinvigorated aging Okinawa campus

Kubasaki High School principal James Strait poses in front of his school at Camp Foster on Monday, April 26. Strait has been named Principal of the Year by Department of Defense Education Activity.

STRIPES OKINAWA 3JUNE 24 − JULY 7, 2021 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION

I f you travel along the Nishikaigan Road towards Naha Airport from Camp Foster, on your left you’ll find

a pair of giant pillars that look just like dragons. The location is near the new cruise ship terminal at Naha Port.

The dragon pillars, which are 15 me-ters in height and 3 meters in width, de-buted in December of 2015 to welcome those who come to Okinawa by airplane or cruise ship. The exceptional size of

the dragons are the first thing to catch your attention, but the importance that this legendary creature has to the island should not be overlooked.

Starting with Shuri Castle and the more than 30 dragons used in the build-ing’s structure, you can see dragons at many locations in Okinawa. Pillars that take the form of dragons can be seen at cultural sites, bridges, and commer-cial facilities on the island. The dragon boat races in Okinawa is a tradition that dates back to the time of the Ryukyu

Kingdom. Even the logo of the Ryukyu Golden Kings, a professional basketball team based in Okinawa, is modeled after the face of a dragon.

The use of dragons in Okinawa can be traced back to feng shui, which was valued in the Ryukyu Kingdom. Feng shui is the Chinese practice of arranging items in their best possible locations and positions, according to Dr. J.H. McKen-na of the University of California Irvine. Meaning “wind” and “water,” this art/science of placement is designed to lead

people to better fortune and luck by un-derstanding the flow of invisible energy called “chi.” The dragon was deemed a sacred creature that symbolizes the cur-rent of “chi.”

Many building and facilities in Okina-wa have dragon pillars at their entranc-es. Those who are familiar with Shisa dog as gate guards in Okinawa may won-der, “why dragons?” But no need to be surprised. All you need to do is to pray that the “chi” force be with you. [email protected]

STORY AND PHOTO BY SHOJI KUDAKA,STRIPES OKINAWA

Dragons abound in Okinawa


Traffic safety figures get your attention ... and a smile

Have you noticed an old statue on Okinawa that resembles a police officer standing by the

road?The weathered man looks like

he’s waving hello at you.Well, despite the friendly appear-

ance, the statue is there as more of a warning. If you see him, it’s likely that there are kids crossing the street.

Commonly called “Koutsuu An-zen Ningyo” (traffic safety doll), it used to be more prevalent on the is-

land. Now, it is difficult to even spot one. But, those who drive to White

Beach from Kadena Air Base might spot them along Route 8.

The statues wear a band that says, “Traffic safety,” while their pants say, “Slow down, watch out for kids.” Since the messages are in Chinese characters, they may not make any sense at first glance. But, despite the foreign writing,

the officer himself should be a sign to heed caution.

Traffic safety statues are not just limited to

Okinawa. Other locations throughout the country have them, and they can take on various “personalities.” Some take the figure of a boy who seems like

he’s about to dart across a street. They are commonly called “Tobi-

dashi Bouya” (Dashing out boy). There are variations to the name such as “To-bidashi Ningyo” (Dashing out doll), “Tobidashi Kozou” (Dashing out kid) and “Tobita-kun” (Mr. Dashing out).

On Okinawa, there are several boy statues for traffic safety, but they seem to be in no hurry to cross a street. They are commonly called “Sony Bouya” (Sony Boy). In a t-shirt with the name of the tech giant on it, the boy just stands still, coolly casting a gaze on the street.

According to several sources, “Sony Bouya” was a cartoon character before being used for traffic safety. Although he is thought to have once been located throughout the country, the boy is now found only in Okinawa. There is one near Gate 3 of MCAS Futenma.

The unique form of traffic safety fig-ure does not stop there on Okinawa.

Another statue can be seen along a road to White Beach, especially around an intersection called Yokatsu. It is a place where a road to Katsuren Castle and a road to White Beach meet. When you drive by the intersection, the small red octopi-looking things can be seen waving at you.

You might think it’s a prank by chil-dren, but the statues are in fact installed for traffic safety awareness.

They are modeled after Kijimuna, a legendary Okinawan demon who is known for being mischievous. See-ing the small creature may put you on guard, but no need to worry.

The concrete brick they stand on says “Koutsuu Anzen” (traffic safety).

Another one can be found specifically in Miyako island. Commonly known as Miyakojima Mamorukun, this police of-ficer has nationwide name recognition. The white-faced officer is so popular that people will often dress up as him to run in races.

Whatever forms or personalities they take, traffic safety statues are designed to advise drivers to slow down and drive safely. Their humorous look hopefully produces smiles as well, making it hard for drivers to get angry. So, the next time see you one along a road, please smile and avoid the road rage. [email protected]

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SHOJI KUDAKA,STRIPES OKINAWA

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In 2011, Kitashirakawa Batting Cen-ter in Kyoto, was closed for good, calling an end to its more than four

decades of batting cage glory. It was a very popular spot when I was a col-lege student about 20 years ago. When Fridays came around, the place was packed with people looking to relieve stress by taking cuts at 90 mph fastballs, or young couples flirting over 60 mph balls before moving onto other amuse-ment available at the same location.

Batting cages may be an amusement whose heyday has long passed. Accord-ing to Weekly Playboy, a Japanese mag-azine unrelated to the American maga-zine of the same name, the first batting cage debuted in Tokyo in 1965, and was followed by many other facilities in the late 60s and 70s. According to the re-port, the popularity of the amusement held in the 80s, leading to the launch of a ground breaking system in the 90s which made it possible to throw vari-ous pitches including breaking balls by using two rotatable discs. In the early 2000s, many of these facilities closed. Declines in birth rate and popularity of baseball, or increase of diversity in amusement were cited as the reasons for the downfall.

The closure of the batting cage in Kyoto, which opened in 1970, would attest to the rise and fall of the amuse-ment.

“The popularity of batting cage was at the highest when our company start-ed, back in 1966. I would assume now they are down to about 700,” Mr. Ya-mamoto of Kinki Kresco, a long-estab-lished maker of batting cage equipment says.

It’s hard to track the precise number of batting cages, as they are not offi-cially registered, but the decline looks evident. Weekly Playboy quoted a sur-vey that indicated there were 541 bat-ting cages in Japan as of 2014, showing a decrease of 269 from 2001. However, it is still too early to say that the bat-ting cage is dead, as it has been making somewhat of a comeback in the Japa-nese pop-culture scene lately.

Masashi Yoshioka, a famous batting cage enthusiast who has visited more than 800 batting cages in Japan, was recently featured in several TV and radio shows, talking about the rise of unique batting cages; ones where you can swing at 142 mph fastballs, or earn prize money for home runs, or even practice fielding.

Plus, in a TV show called “Real Yakyu Ban (Real Baseball Pinball),” a pitching machine was used to let

professional players virtually face a pitcher on a monitor controlled by TV talents. The way the pros were fooled by the virtual pitcher drew much attention and contributed to the popularity of the show. Nikkan Sports, a Japanese sports journal, reported in November of 2015 that Manager Yoshinobu Takahashi of the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, decided to introduce the machine to the team’s training, as he was impressed with the quality and variety of the pitches it can throw. According to Mr. Yamamoto of Kinki Cresco, the maker of the system, the virtual pitching machine is now a very popular system at batting cages in Japan.

Here on Okinawa, there are several batting cages facilities still running. Al-though they may not provide fastballs with ridiculous velocities, some of them have unique features. There is a batting cage facility that introduced a “strike-out game” to let customers try their skills of locating pitches by throwing at targets in the strike zone. Others host home run competitions where you can earn gift cards.

Even though many of them look retro, like the now-closed amusement complex in Kyoto, batting cages con-tinue to stay relevant on this southern island. [email protected]

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SHOJI KUDAKA, STRIPES OKINAWA

CHATAN SPORTS CENTER • GPS Coordinates: N 26.324864, E 127.763463

(South of Kadena Air Base) • Hours: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. • Tel: (098) 936-7011• Web: https://chatan-spc.com/?page_id=27• Notes: A sports complex. 30 pitches for 200 yen.

Velocity ranges from 80 to 140 kmph (approx. 50 to 87 mph.)

AMEKU SPORTS LAND• GPS Coordinates: N 26.236235, E 127.684055• Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. • Website: http://amekufamilysports.com/shisetsu.

html• Notes: An amusement complex with pool tables,

video games, darts, ping-pong. Velocity ranges from 70 – 145kmph (approx. 43 to 90 mph). 10 plates. 25 pitches for 200 yen. Home run competitions take place periodically.

ROUND ONE• GPS Coordinates: N 26.275824, E 127.731014• Hours (during the state of emergency): 10 a.m. – 8

p.m. (Mon – Fri), 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Sat, Sun, and holidays)

• Regular hours: 10 – 6 p.m. (Mon -Thu), 10 – 0 a.m. (Friday, day before a holiday), 24 hours (Saturday), - 6 a.m. of the following day (Sunday, holiday)

• Website: https://www.round1.co.jp/shop/tenpo/okinawa-ginowan.html

• Tel: 098-870-2110• Notes: There are batting cages as part of Spo-cha

service. 90 minutes for 1,980 yen (2,080 yen on Sat. Sun. holidays)

ENAGIC SPORTS WORLD SOUTHERN HILLS• GPS Coordinates: N 26.20808, E 127.72836 • Hours (during the state of emergency): 1 – 8 p.m.

(weekdays), 9 a.m. – (Sat. Sun, holidays) • Regular hours: 1 – 10 p.m. (weekdays), 9 a.m. – 10

p.m. (Sat, Sun, and holidays) • Website: https://southern-hill.com/home_e• Notes: An amusement/sports complex with skate

rink, bowling alley, ping-pong etc. 200 yen for 25 pitches. Velocity ranges from 70 – 130 kmph (approx. 43 – 81 mph). 11 plates

The rise, fall and comeback of batting cages in Japan

Where to take your cuts on Okinawa

Kevin Vega, from Kadena Air Base, swings at a fastball at Chatan Sports center.


Even standing or taking a step forward or didn’t come easy. The best I could do was to advance on my hands and knees, occasional-ly trying to stand up and falling. Kids were going much faster and more aggressively. Some of them even tried running on a narrow stretch before falling into the water. But they quickly came back on float with smile.

“(This) keeps you active, and energized, and brings family to-gether,” said Julie, who was en-ergetically trying one obstacle another with her friends.

Some were taking it easy like Nyla, a teen from Kadena Air Base.

“It’s different from the United States. It’s fun. It’s cool,” said the girl as she sat on a trampoline in the deep part of the section. She said she’d never seen anything like it on water back home, and admitted the course was pretty tough.

The obstacles were a big chal-lenge to adults too.

“I found it more difficult than I thought it would be. I love it,” said Steve, a gentleman from Ohio who was on vacation

visiting his sister.After spending more than

an hour crawling, falling and sliding on the course, my en-ergy was drained and I was slightly sore. But after screaming and laughing along with the kids on the float, I’d have to say it was worth [email protected]

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

FUN: Challenge yourselfCOMICs CORNER

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Stripes Okinawa is A Stars and Stripes Community Publication. This newspaper is authorized for publication by the Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stripes Okinawa are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense or the U.S. Pacific Command. As a DOD newspaper, Stripes Okinawa may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution

to remote and isolated locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of those products by the Department of Defense or Stars and Stripes. Products or services advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron.

OCEAN PARK WHERE: ANA International Manza Beach Resort GPS COORDINATES: N 26.506001, E 127.859183TEL: 098-966-2212 (reservation required) URL: https://www.anaintercontinental-manza.jp/en/experiences/ manza-ocean-park/HOURS: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (subject to change due to low tide or maintenance) COST: 3,500 yen for 1 day*Military Discount (to be available starting July 1): 3,000 yen for adult, 2,500

for minor (Military ID and a copy of this Stars and Stripes Okinawa with this article on Ocean Park need to be presented at the entrance)

*Through June 30 (possibly through July 22), beach visitors can have free access to parking, and Ocean Park users can rent a parasol set for free, which normally costs 2,000 yen per car and 3,000 yen per day respectively (These benefits cannot be combined with the Military discount).

Accommodation guests can have free access to Manza Ocean Park until June 30. From July 1 through Sept 30, guests who stay for 2 consecutive nights or more, can enjoy one day free access to the attraction.

NOTE: Visitors need to be over 3 years old. Kids under 12 years old are required to be accompanied by guardian 18 years old and over (one guardian can take up to three kids). From July through September, 300 fireworks are scheduled to be launched on site every Wednesday and Saturday (Saturday only for September), starting 8:30 p.m.

DID YOUKNOW?

Language Lesson

Kanji of the week

Stripes Sports Trivia

Answer

T he deigo, or tiger’s claw, was named the official flower of Okinawa in 1972. Deigo trees are normally in bloom

around mid-April through May. Around that time, the red flowers of the trees can be seen at places like Okinawa Compre-hensive Athletic Park in Okinawa City, or Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City.

Known as “The Great One”, Wayne Gretzky lived up to and exceeded his nickname. With 2,857 career points, Gretzky has nearly 1,000 more than No. 2 on the list. It’s hard to believe, but Gretzky was shipped out in three not-so-great trades during his professional career. Can you name the three NHL teams he played for after being traded from the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA?

Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues

Taki (Waterfall)

I understand.

Wakari mashita.

Answers to Previous Sudoku:

53 Palo ____, CA 8 Breakaway 54 Ocean motion group57 "Don Giovanni", 9 "___ lost!"

for one 10 Built-in60 Knock over 11 Birdlike62 Adjusted 12 Time being

precisely 13 Form-fitting64 Trim, as an 18 Varnish

alpaca ingredient65 Word ending a 22 "Friends" friend

threat 25 Winter storm 66 Sales prospect need67 Type of bird 27 Texter's "Holy 68 Calendar row cow!"69 Kind of race or 28 Sheep cries

dealer 29 Details, briefly30 Rise and ____

DOWN 31 Bring on board1 Builder's map 34 Blue-green hue

ACROSS1 Secret plan5 Word after mar-

tial or performing9 James Dean's

final film14 Scalp misery15 Nothing more

than16 Poetic ending17 Polar region19 Addams Family

member20 Make fun21 Campus mil.

group23 Apiece24 Painter's plaster26 Winged stinger28 Vitamin B30 "____ on you!"32 Former first

name in advice33 Lack of being38 Way, way off40 Eccentric 2 Fishing need 35 Wake-up call 52 High-strung41 Keyboard goof 3 Like many 36 Debate (with) 55 Not many42 Green homes gazebos 37 Like some losers 56 Nasty

may have them 4 Cups, saucers, 39 Levelheaded 58 Paper quantity45 Something to etc. 43 Hosiery mishap 59 Contributes

lend 5 Big name in 44 Haughty one 61 Dishwasher 46 Veil material movie theaters 48 Linking verb cycle47 Concert finale 6 Back in style 49 ____ and effect 63 Cartoonish 49 House of cards? 7 The Bee Gees, 50 Top dog squeal52 Scouting unit e.g. 51 Take the wheel

Crossword by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2021 by The Puzzle Syndicate

Answers to Previous Crossword:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

32 33 34 35 36 37

38 39 40 41

42 43 44 45

46 47 48

49 50 51 52

53 54 55 56 57 58 59

60 61 62 63

64 65 66

67 68 69

D A B S A B B A A C R E SA S I A B L O W C H U M PD E R N S A N A N T O N I OS A D D L E S O R E L O R D

C A I N E E X P E N S EC H A L E T I N T E RL U G D I A N E T I P S YA L E C A N G S T C O H ON A S A L N O S E Y W I G

R O B O T N O V E N AA C R O B A T C E D A RM O O T S A L A M A N D E RI N T E R S T A T E D I M ES C O N E E V E N A V I DS H R E D D A R T L E T O


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