Amongst the Naha City YouTube channel’s cat videos (looking for furever homes) and official government ones, is this promotional video from 1991 “Akemodoro Naha“. Lots of great footage from 30 years ago. h/t @siozamami
Author: Haisai Richie
Still finding my way.
Starbucks Been There Series for Okinawa
This is pretty cool. It was back in June that Starbucks created their special Okinawa chinsukou Frappuccino and now they are bringing out the Been There series. So the next time you stop by a Starbucks in Okinawa be sure to pick up a mug, stainless steel bottle, and/or a Starbucks card.
Nema Ui’s Okinawa Support Album “Ui ❤️ Okinawa” 10/20
Our favorite VTuber Nema Ui will be releasing her first Okinawa Support mini album (EP?) “Ui ❤️ Okinawa” on 10/20! The album will feature the two singles she released this year and also include four additional tracks (one of them is a cover of everyone’s favorite anthem “Dynamic Ryukyu”). A physical CD is currently being sold on Ui’s website so we’re hoping a digital version will follow.
Nema Ui’s “Ui ❤️ Okinawa”
“Miracle City Koza” World Premiere at the Hawaii International Film Festival
This is amazing. Ahead of its Okinawa premiere on 1/21 and even its Japan premiere on 2/4, the Hawaii International Film Festival “HIFF” holds the prize of presenting the world premiere of “Miracle City Koza” on 11/7! What’s even better is that in addition to a one-day in-person screening, the film will also be available online to audiences in the USA from 11/10 to 11/28 with English subtitles. Tickets can be purchased from hiff.org on 10/15 (HIFF Ohana members) and from 10/18 for the general public.
Read our previous post introducing the film and view the trailer below.
The last film from Okinawa to screen at HIFF was “Okinawan Blue” (Kokoro Odoru) in 2019.
SPEED’s Tribute Album “SPEED SPIRITS” Jacket Design
We’re about a month away from the 11/11 release of SPEED’s tribute album “SPEED SPIRITS” and now we have an album cover art! Although it isn’t mentioned, doesn’t the art look like Hitoe’s style? Hopefully the artist will be revealed when the album is released.
Noovy’s MV for “Before We Die” Featuring Anly
This is an amazing song and collaboration between noovy and Anly. According to Anly, the band filmed their portion in Taiwan while Anly filmed hers in Okinawa so it’s like the sea is connecting the two 😍.
Billiken Brothers 1st Album 11/17 Release
BEGIN’s keyboardist Uechi Hitoshi “Brother Hitoshi” will be releasing the first album “Trippin’ Orchestra” for his side project Billiken Brothers on 11/17. The upcoming album from this old rookie trio will have a total of 6 tracks and singer Tawata Emi will be a guest vocalist.
Crossing Cats: Enamel Pins! (Kickstarter)
Less than a week to go to help back artist Nami Oshiro’s Kickstarter project “Crossing Cats: Enamel Pins!“. As the name of the Kickstarter hints at, the enamel pins are inspired by our favorite game Animal Crossing! Here’s an excerpt about the project:
Hello! I’m Nami, and I design cat pins. I’ve spent the past few years making designs for every single cat from a certain beloved video game about cute animals, and now I’d like to turn as many of them as I can into enamel pins for everyone to enjoy!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/namioshiro/crossing-cats-enamel-pins?ref=user_menu
Although our favorite Luchuan villager Rory (アーサー) isn’t one of the featured pins (he’s too big of a cat 😆), there are a lot of other cool cats to choose from.
Himeyuri and Hawaii Exhibit Opens
The special exhibition “Himeyuri and Hawaii” had its opening on 10/1 and will run into 2/27. The exhibition is in two parts: “Himeyuri and the Battle of Okinawa” and “Himeyuri and Hawaii” and is available online in English and in Japanese. Having visited the Peace Museum in the past and learning about the horrific events, we feel the importance of bringing this story to as many people as possible. Here’s an excerpt from the website:
Out of the 240 Himeyuri students and teachers who had been mobilized, 136 lost their lives. Many of these casualties occurred after the Deactivation Order was given. […] The Battle of Okinawa was unprecedented for a land battle in that more than 200,000 perished including one-quarter of the native Okinawan population.
https://himeyuri-and-hawaii.com/chapter1/p3/
Amawari Park Historical and Cultural Facility to Open on 10/14
Its opening was postponed due to the pandemic but now the Amawari Park is ready to open on October 14! To celebrate the opening, admission will be free until the end of this year and will be ¥600 for adults and ¥400 for children thereafter. The facility will allow one to experience the history of Uruma City and the World Heritage Katsuren Castle Ruins.
