Okinawa

Denny Tamaki, the governor of Okinawa, plans to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as soon as this Friday, to present him with the results of this past weekend’s referendum. 72-percent on Okinawa voted against a long-standing plan to relocate a U.S. Marine air base. The referendum is non-binding, but the decision to go ahead with construction may have repercussions.

An election in Japan may have an impact on U.S. military planning in the Asia Pacific. The election was in Okinawa, and the potential effects may stretch all the way to Hawaii.

Community-driven recovery efforts are nothing new to Hawaiʻi. Whether it be massive flooding, a volcanic eruption or wildfires...the community finds a way to rally and rebuild. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi sheds some light on a little known recovery effort that began in Hawaiʻi 70 years ago.

2017 was another record year for tourism in Hawai‘i for the sixth year in a row. But another Pacific island destination had an even bigger year last year—thanks in part to Hawai‘i. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

A controversy involving U.S. military forces in Japan has reached a new level this week. The latest dispute involves safety, local residents and American military helicopters. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The U.S. military has banned all soldiers stationed in Japan from drinking alcohol. This follows a fatal crash in Okinawa involving a serviceman, a local driver, and allegations of drunk driving. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

  Today on Bytemarks Café, we’ll hear about communities in Hawaiʻi and Okinawa that are living longer than the average life span. We’ll talk to researchers working to isolate the healthy aging gene and see how this might be activated in the general population.

New Submersible ROV from Schmidt Ocean Institute; Okinawan Festival; From the Farm; Halloween Themed Drama Program for Kids

The US Navy has imposed a total ban on alcohol for all sailors in Japan. The more than 18-thousand Navy personnel in the country have also been ordered to stay on military bases, following the latest incident involving drinking and destruction. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

US Congress Debates School Lunches; Pianist Thomas Rosenkranz; Business of Organic Farming; Okinawan Heritage Festival

Debate in US Congress over cutting funding for school lunch programs; Dexter Kishida

A twenty year effort to relocate a US Marine airbase on the Japanese Island of Okinawa hit a new snag this week.  The island's governor revoked a construction permit and, as we hear from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute, the result will likely be a court case that could take years to resolve.