What 3 things would you change about Okinawa?

[okinawa]

#1 Amusement Park with water slides.

#2 Legalize Gambling, Las Vegas of Asia.

#3 Build a bridge to mainland Japan.

[Sex Wax]

1. More nude beaches :w00t:

2. More beer festivals :thumbup:

3. Less cold weather :thumbup:

[Muku]

1. More cold weather.....summer is too damn hot.:eek:

2. Add a Gino's East Pizza Parlor

3. Add a clothing and shoe store with stuff that will fit me and not cost an arm and a leg.:o

[SPMF#1]

1, Wal-Mart
2, higher speed limit
3, base consolidation to free up land lost to the locals

[justpassingtime]

1. Summers that are more mild, I am not looking forward to sweating my way through another summer.

2. More signs in English, I know that I need to learn the language and I am working on that but in the mean time I miss being able to read signs and get a feeling for what might be inside a store.

3. A Sonic, I miss their drinks, especially in the heat of an Okinawan summer

[okinawa]

[QUOTE=Sex Wax;80120]1. More nude beaches :w00t: [QUOTE]


More? Is there one here? Location, please:old:

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

Fewer Americans, less concrete, a reliable mainland-style railway system.

[ststephen65]

1, Wal-Mart
2, higher speed limit
3, base consolidation to free up land lost to the locals



WALMART!! cmon, thats disgusting

[BleuEneG]

1. Summers that are more mild, I am not looking forward to sweating my way through another summer.

2. More signs in English, I know that I need to learn the language and I am working on that but in the mean time I miss being able to read signs and get a feeling for what might be inside a store.

3. A Sonic, I miss their drinks, especially in the heat of an Okinawan summer

I agree with #2 and I would expand that to include adding a little more English to general items that Americans are likely to buy and for me that would be the dog food that is sold out in town.

The commisaries have a very limited selection of what I consider "good quality" dog food brands. I know the PX at Kadena has a couple that are better than that corn meal crap that seems to be the norm that is sold.

But I noticed at a couple stores there are what appear to be better stuff with more protein and human grade ingredients but since the only English is "shiny coat" I can't figure which would be the correct bag to purchase for my boxer. I guess I could ask and just act out what I don't know the words to. But I make a lousy boxer face and I can't bark for crap.::o

[Son Kokujin]

1. More emphasis on Okinawans and Gaikokujin working TOGETHER, and not just for show.

2. FREE Training in Road Ettiquette for ALL drivers, and more efforts to enforce safety laws (Get a safety seat for your kids, people!)

3. Give these old moronic racist people in power the BOOT, and actually put someone in who is actually NOT afraid for Okinawa to move into the 21st century...

(Yeah, I wish the same for the States, and it hasn't happened yet there either...but I can DREAM, right?)

Peace.

[afansi]

1. No war vehicles allowed off-base.

2. No driving licences issued to SOFA status people.

3. All fences removed from around the bases.

[OkinawaStud]

1. Nude beaches

2. Legalization of ganja

3. Legalization of ganja

[socalheart]

Children playgrounds in all the public parks. :w00t:
Better and more parking EVERYWHERE. :cursing:
More corner mirrors on the small streets and alleyways, since there's little chance of widening those. :scared:


Note: This pertains to off base Okinawa only.

[ChipsAhoy1]

1. No war vehicles allowed off-base.

2. No driving licences issued to SOFA status people.

3. All fences removed from around the bases.


Well those definately have the welfare/morale of the troops in mind.

[Isaak Brodsky]

1. Re-testing for drivers over sixty-five, every five years.

2. Less litter.

3. Better public transportation

4. Eradication of bozosoku

5. Widespread prosecution of those who abandon vehicles

6. An amusement/water park

7. Less concrete

8. More greenery - especially in the cities

9. Eradication of diesel fueled vehicles

10. More respect for bicyclists

[OkinawaStud]

Legalization of Ganja. Can't say it enough.

[mikersoft]

1. Less military presence (However, not completely gone as I think the American influences and mix of people are part the Okinawa's overall charm)

2. Add brewpubs :D

3. Move the island off the coast of Delaware so she's only a 2.5 hour drive and short ferry ride away ;)

-Mike

[Jazz]

1. Monorail stretching from Itoman to Nago.

2. Exact same weather as San Diego.

3. Bike/walking paths similar to what stretches from Araha beach to Sunset beach but from Naha to Onna.

[Trail]

#1: More tolerance and understanding between American and Okinawan people

#2: More English street signs!

#3: An amusement park of some kind

[Jazz]

Way to cold in Okinawa!

[Trail]

1. No war vehicles allowed off-base.

2. No driving licences issued to SOFA status people.

3. All fences removed from around the bases.


Some one is bitter about the American presence here.... :rolleyes:

[Jazz]

Wider aisles in shopping centers as well as parking of course.

An amusement/water slide park

Importing/immigration of: better pizza joints, Weinerschnitzel, Indian Pale ale (Sierra Nevada or other) an IPA period would be nice once in a while. A San Diego style Mexican joint serving all the typicals as well as Ceviche....

[Muku]

1. Re-testing for drivers over sixty-five, every five years.

I would say every year!

[ChipsAhoy1]

I can't believe people say it's too cold here. They obviously haven't been to the northern states or through the summer. lol

[DougP]

1. Make it illegal to hate or dislike someone because of their race, culture, nationality or type of employment. (this would be great if it was world wide)

2. Require all new people to learn at least basic Japanese communication(written and spoken)

3. Governor and local mayors have to attend JU meets.:)

[wenjam]

WALMART!! cmon, thats disgusting

I agree...who needs wal -mart....I had 3 within 15 miles of my house at our last base. Could care less if I ever see one again.

[wenjam]

1. No war vehicles allowed off-base.

2. No driving licences issued to SOFA status people.

3. All fences removed from around the bases.

If you think the military is 'offensive'now, if that ever happened,WOW!!! Not to mention, those fences are there for your protection...what happens if you are unauthorized and cross that boundary ono a US military intallation? You wouldn't live to tell about it.

[wenjam]

1. an Outback
2. Less coral beaches...more sandy beaches
3. carpet in housing!!!

[Jrocka83]

1. Move Okinawa somewhere near Hawaii.:thumbup:

2. Make Okinawa a U.S. territory again.:w00t:

3. Build a Bridge grom Okinawa to Hawaii.:thumbup:

[SPMF#1]

I agree...who needs wal -mart....I had 3 within 15 miles of my house at our last base. Could care less if I ever see one again.
I say walmart because i hate aafes. Not pickey though, target or what ever. I think these companies should be able to bid for the priviledge of serving the troups. AAFES is the biggest monoply I know of.

[Jrocka83]

1. No war vehicles allowed off-base.
Would never happen


2. No driving licences issued to SOFA status people.

:thumbdown:


3. All fences removed from around the bases.
[/quote]
would never happen

[billhilly]

1. Random pop up speed bumps on 58. Woooohoooo!
2. Add and Orion emblem to the flag.
3. National Anthem.....needs more cowbell.

[Jazz]

I grew up in N. Minnesota/Ohio/ Pa. and after the majority of my past 8 yrs of life being here in Okinawa except for 2 in S.D. I say Okinawa is not only one of the most frigid winter climates it also has the worst all around weather!

I love this damn island though! Something always yanks me back and pulls at my heart strings (wow, never thought I'd use that expression) when I leave for a while!

Okinawa is almost like a beatiful disease that sometimes you wish you could find the cure for and other times you hope one is never found!

[Black Orchid]

Put a Dennys

Put an IHOP

Have a 24 Hour Dept store when i feel like shopping for shit in the middle of the night

[Asshat]

1. Random pop up speed bumps on 58. Woooohoooo!
2. Add and Orion emblem to the flag.
3. National Anthem.....needs more cowbell.

LMAO! :thumbup: I love it! Great ideas!

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

Most of these ideas seem to be focused on making Okinawa a trashy copy of a trashy country :(

[Asshat]

Most of these ideas seem to be focused on making Okinawa a trashy copy of a trashy country :(

Yeah, so what is your point? Double wides could work here you know. Tie them down good. On second thought, don't tie them down and when the typhoon comes, file with FEMA for cash prizes on a Brand New Home!

My three things:

Tear up all concrete structures, roads, etc.
Plant palm trees and grass.
Build underground structures served by above ground transit.

[Isaak Brodsky]

Most of these ideas seem to be focused on making Okinawa a trashy copy of a trashy country :(

Perhaps we need more maple trees.

[perfect10]

Put a Dennys

Put an IHOP

Have a 24 Hour Dept store when i feel like shopping for shit in the middle of the night



I know what you mean I hate not being able to run to Wal-Mart or our 24 hour Target when I get the Shopping bug at 0300.

[Asshat]

Perhaps we need more maple trees.

LOL! :thumbup: Yeah, and maybe some unGodly weather, and people who say the "OU" sound with an "OO" sound!

[Rollin_J's]

1. I would consolidate all the American Military facilities to the following locations:

a. Kadena and Futemna to ie Shima Island
b. Foster/Schwab/Hansen/Kinser/Courtney to Camp Gonsalves and the Northern training areas.
c. Ft. Buckner to remain at current location.

2. A Mass transit system that matches the expressway.

a. Monorail extension to Nago following the expressway
b. More buses with integrated routes.
c. Consolidated parking areas near mass transit hubs
1. Okinawa City
2. Yomitan
3. Kin
4. Gushikawa
5. Ishikawa

3. More restrictions on placing residences and businesses to close to the beach.
a. Stronger litter control
b. Less pollution of the sealand areas
c. More tourism and resort space


After thinking thoroughly on this question I think the three I picked would be the best for Okinawa to incorporate immediately.

Begin construction now.

[Muku]

2. A Mass transit system that matches the expressway.

a. Monorail extension to Nago following the expressway
b. More buses with integrated routes.
c. Consolidated parking areas near mass transit hubs
1. Okinawa City
2. Yomitan
3. Kin
4. Gushikawa
5. Ishikawa


Ok first off I realize this is a dream list but lets take a look at your suggestions here.
a. Monorail extension to Nago following the expressway
Do you know one of the major reasons why the expressway is where it is now? One of the reasons is that is farther away from urbanized areas to move a monorail there would make it inconvenient for people wishing to use it on a daily basis. The monorail was built, and it's extensions are being planned to hel lessen congestion in the more populated areas of the island.

Side note; did you know that there used to be a rail system here in Okinawa up until WWII? It got torn up my the US Military. That is one thing that should have been reconstructed at the time in my opinion.

b. More buses with integrated routes.
How much more integrated do you want it to get than it is already now?

Okinawa Bus Terminal Map Guide (http://www.rosenbus.com/TimeTBL/RoadMap/BUSTerm.jpg).

Naha Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/TimeTBL/RoadMap/NAHA.jpg)
The picture is too large for here.

Northern Okinawa Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/)

Central Okinawa Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/)

Southern Okinawa Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/)

c. Consolidated parking areas near mass transit hubs
1. Okinawa City
2. Yomitan
3. Kin
4. Gushikawa
5. Ishikawa


Why are you limiting it to these areas alone? In actuality the areas you are talking about here are not really hubs and are farther outlying areas from the rest of the island.

The bigger areas where they could be utilitzed are actually further south, Ginowan, Urasoe, Shuri, Nishihara, Chinen, Sashiki, Haebaru, Itoman.

There are actually fewer options currently for people in some of those areas to get around the island than the central areas that you are refering to.

[Bones]

Posted by eelecurb:

Most of these ideas seem to be focused on making Okinawa a trashy copy of a trashy country

Strangely enough, I agree with your statement 100%, eel.

NBTP

[Rollin_J's]

Ok first off I realize this is a dream list but lets take a look at your suggestions here.
a. Monorail extension to Nago following the expressway
Do you know one of the major reasons why the expressway is where it is now? One of the reasons is that is farther away from urbanized areas to move a monorail there would make it inconvenient for people wishing to use it on a daily basis. The monorail was built, and it's extensions are being planned to hel lessen congestion in the more populated areas of the island.

Side note; did you know that there used to be a rail system here in Okinawa up until WWII? It got torn up my the US Military. That is one thing that should have been reconstructed at the time in my opinion.


How much more integrated do you want it to get than it is already now?

Okinawa Bus Terminal Map Guide (http://www.rosenbus.com/TimeTBL/RoadMap/BUSTerm.jpg).

Naha Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/TimeTBL/RoadMap/NAHA.jpg)
The picture is too large for here.

Northern Okinawa Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/)

Central Okinawa Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/)

Southern Okinawa Bus Route Map (http://www.rosenbus.com/)



Why are you limiting it to these areas alone? In actuality the areas you are talking about here are not really hubs and are farther outlying areas from the rest of the island.

The bigger areas where they could be utilitzed are actually further south, Ginowan, Urasoe, Shuri, Nishihara, Chinen, Sashiki, Haebaru, Itoman.

There are actually fewer options currently for people in some of those areas to get around the island than the central areas that you are refering to.

Muku, thank you very much for your post. It cleared up some of my questions. More research was needed on my part.


Uplifting and placing the appropriate infrastructure in place BEFORE you build up and area is integral to its longevity. The Central areas IMHO will eventually be built up and the mass transit systems needs to be in place before the building up phase begins.

[Lursyobwoc]

1. Summers that are more mild, I am not looking forward to sweating my way through another summer.

2. More signs in English, I know that I need to learn the language and I am working on that but in the mean time I miss being able to read signs and get a feeling for what might be inside a store.

3. A Sonic, I miss their drinks, especially in the heat of an Okinawan summer

DEFINITELY a Sonic! Can't beat the burgers or the Cherry Limeade! :thumbup:

[Lursyobwoc]

1. No war vehicles allowed off-base.

2. No driving licences issued to SOFA status people.

3. All fences removed from around the bases.

:army: Hi. Welcome to Earth. :army:

[okisteve]

Wider aisles in shopping centers as well as parking of course.

An amusement/water slide park

Importing/immigration of: better pizza joints, Weinerschnitzel, Indian Pale ale (Sierra Nevada or other) an IPA period would be nice once in a while. A San Diego style Mexican joint serving all the typicals as well as Ceviche....


Hmmm, with the exception of the nice healthy ceviche, I think I see a connection here:crying:

[okisteve]

1. Nude beaches

2. Legalization of ganja

3. Legalization of ganja

Sicko! You have your priorities all backwards, man. It should be - -

1. Legalization of ganja
2. Nude beaches
3. Legalization of ganja

[gunny8511]

1. Make it illegal to hate or dislike someone because of their race, culture, nationality or type of employment. (this would be great if it was world wide)



Governing emotion? Where are you going to find enough psychics to act as thought police?

[Muku]

Uplifting and placing the appropriate infrastructure in place BEFORE you build up and area is integral to its longevity. The Central areas IMHO will eventually be built up and the mass transit systems needs to be in place before the building up phase begins.
Oh I agree with you here. Urban planning does not seem to be a strong point of the Okinawan civil engineers.

One prime example is the shintoshin development of the old Machiminato housing area. It took over 10 years from handover to open the area to developers, because of all the unexploded ordance left over from WWII and the eradication of the snakes, but that's not the point. Only one major thoroughfare was planned for an east-west cross and that has proven to be a serious headache because of the explosion of building that went on there.

Now it is too late to change anything and the people living there have to suffer once again with congestion.

[Jazz]

Hmmm, with the exception of the nice healthy ceviche, I think I see a connection here:crying:

Nice.....

Hey, I work hard for my gut......

[okisteve]

Oh I agree with you here. Urban planning does not seem to be a strong point of the Okinawan civil engineers.

One prime example is the shintoshin development of the old Machiminato housing area. It took over 10 years from handover to open the area to developers, because of all the unexploded ordance left over from WWII and the eradication of the snakes, but that's not the point. Only one major thoroughfare was planned for an east-west cross and that has proven to be a serious headache because of the explosion of building that went on there.

Now it is too late to change anything and the people living there have to suffer once again with congestion.

Yep, the traffic there is unbelievable! I think they could try tweaking the traffic signal timings a bit, but it's a perfect storm because of the mess on 331 from that insane crossing at Asato station.

[TheLastDon]

Oh I agree with you here. Urban planning does not seem to be a strong point of the Okinawan civil engineers.

One prime example is the shintoshin development of the old Machiminato housing area. It took over 10 years from handover to open the area to developers, because of all the unexploded ordance left over from WWII and the eradication of the snakes, but that's not the point. Only one major thoroughfare was planned for an east-west cross and that has proven to be a serious headache because of the explosion of building that went on there.

Now it is too late to change anything and the people living there have to suffer once again with congestion.

Urban planning take a look at Chatan lately?!?:scared:

[DougP]

Governing emotion? Where are you going to find enough psychics to act as thought police?

Not quite what I meant by that:first: Thought police, don't we have those already?

I just think it would be nice if things like bigotry, racism and discrimination was taboo around here and many other places as well.:thumbup1:

[Isaak Brodsky]

pig farms next to daycare centers
construction companies next to old folks homes
waste treatment plants next to parks
high rise hotels planted in a dense neighborhood of residential homes
auto repair shops next to elementary schools
a military airfield in the heart of a city

I would encourage the development of a new philosophy of zoning.

[Asshat]

pig farms next to daycare centers
construction companies next to old folks homes
waste treatment plants next to parks
high rise hotels planted in a dense neighborhood of residential homes
auto repair shops next to elementary schools
a military airfield in the heart of a city

I would encourage the development of a new philosophy of zoning.

lol! Yep! Within a three minute walk, I can go to a restraunt, a hospital, a bar, a massage parlor, and numerous office buildings! What more could a man ask for?

[okisteve]

lol! Yep! Within a three minute walk, I can go to a restraunt, a hospital, a bar, a massage parlor, and numerous office buildings! What more could a man ask for?

As I write this from my pleasant second-floor office in an otherwise quiet residential area, my brain is being skewered by the noise of a crane truck loading scaffolding in the construction company next door.

Well, tough luck I guess. Actually I like the mixed (a.k.a. de facto mess) zoning. As Umi says, you never really need to drive anywhere when everything is right around. It's the best part of URBAN living.

That would definitely not apply to pig farms next to daycare centers though, and some other bad examples Ian cited. I'm guessing that stuff just sprung up after the war and people were too concerned about survival to worry about niceties like zoning.

[Son Kokujin]

Put a Dennys

Put an IHOP

Have a 24 Hour Dept store when i feel like shopping for shit in the middle of the night

That is a novel idea! Damn, I miss IHOP! :thumbup:

[socalheart]

I noticed that ZONING is not a big deal here. Gee whiz, it's like they used Sim City™ to build this place sometimes. heh. :)

[okisteve]

Put a Dennys:scared:

Put an IHOP:barf:

Have a 24 Hour Dept store when i feel like shopping for shit in the middle of the night:ohmy:

Three really BAD ideas, as in "negative". Put them on some base please so I never have to pass them.

[DOCROB]

This Island is needs rebuilding and zoning for sure.
1, Move all military bases up north and make one big base with onbase housing for all staff and families.
2, rebuild the railway system it would be cheaper and more economically sound, and help cut down on road congestion. if your worried about space build it under ground it'll work.
3, Denny's on base, or a store(s) with a bigger variety of clothes.maybe a mall on base LOL

[Brand_X]

This Island is needs rebuilding and zoning for sure.
1, Move all military bases up north and make one big base with onbase housing for all staff and families.
2, rebuild the railway system it would be cheaper and more economically sound, and help cut down on road congestion. if your worried about space build it under ground it'll work.
3, Denny's on base, or a store(s) with a bigger variety of clothes.maybe a mall on base LOL

The underground railroad part is difficult because of the water table and small earthquakes that happen every now and then. I think they need to junk the monorail and use a lifted normal train system. raised systems in Nago Okinawa and Naha areas with a link. If build along the Express way then the train station could be by the toll booths for easy access nd less road congestion

I agree on all beses up north besides Foster and Kedena. Ridiculous to move those monsters. Besides they have good facilities.

Mall on base bad Idea AAFES would run it so nothing would change. Besides the same stuff in larger quantities.

I rationalized your post because it seemed more reasonable then most of the crazy "dream" lists.

For my "dream list" I would just:

Move all US military in Okinawa back to US soil leave a small humanitarian or surprise threat contingency back for emergencies (one base) probably Kedena because of the airstrip.

Let the Okinawans rejuvenate or destroy their island on their own.

[Carl]

Sorry if some of these have already been posted.

1. SOFA status people NEED to take the real Japanese driving test (I did and I learned a lot) to actually learn how to drive here. Way too many Y plates that don't know how to properly drive (Yes, I do report reckless driving Y plates. I doubt a driving school will help them, though.).

2. Base consolidation. Kadena is freaking HUGE. Why can't Futenma and Kadena just share? The AF has no problems sharing with both the Navy AND the commercial airport up in Misawa. I mean, the runway on Kadena only gets used maybe a couple times a day. The USMC and AF could easily work out schedules to share so why the need to go ruin some more land up north?

3. Public trashcans. I would implement a plan to where the government would pay shop owners and residents about ¥7500+ a month to maintain a public trash/recycle can. Way too much trash littering Okinawa. I would also impose steep fines for littering. High school students caught littering would serve 1 month community service picking up trash on the weekends.

----
Bonus changes:
-I would make it perfectly legal (and encouraged) to beat down these little Japanese high school punks that think they own everything. Parents don't want to discipline their kids? Fine, let the public teach them some discipline when they piss off people out in town. I'm still pissed about my noob magnet (green and yellow magnet) on my car getting spray painted black 2 days after I got it (and the "honkey lips" spray painted on the side of my apartment).

-I would make it illegal to park on the side of the road (except in case of emergency) if the shoulder is narrow. If you've ever driven through the Misato area, you know what I'm talking about. The buses don't help.

-I would re-work the bus schedules. The buses are a huge traffic problem and their schedules need to be tuned to cut down on the long string of 5 or 6 buses trying to get to the same stop at the same time.

-I would raise the minimum wage here and give perks to companies who pay their employees real (read: competitive) wages. I work in IT and have about 7 years experience. I make ¥1500/hour :( After paying both JP and US taxes, I take home very little. (If you know of a place that's hiring, let me know...I have a baby on the way...)

-All these old run-down building would get torn down. The extra room would be used to widen roads or build modern facilities.

-Small tax incentives to those who maintain an actual yard instead of a slab of concrete. Okinawa's cities are in need of some beautification.

-Racism and discrimination would be punished to the maximum extent of the law. Shops with "Japanese Only" signs would face very, very steep fines. (I couldn't eat at McD's yesterday because these stupid racist old ladies kept cutting in front of me like I wasn't even there. I got pissed and left.)

[zeldan]

1. SC would be within driving distance.
2. I would rid the island of immature bitches.
3. That yen rate? Hah, yeah... Let's change that.

[zeldan]

articblue:

Wow, I am so sorry to hear that you have been treated that way!! The worst I have ever encountered was some school aged girls laughing at me because I had a cow print hat (maybe they liked it? and plus I bought that out in town, thank you very much), but other than that... nothing. I'm sure some people have probably said racist things about me, but I can't understand them anyway. . . .

[dk]

1. Legalize pot
2. Better salaries and benefits
3. Idiot factories

[DougP]

I have one thing to add to the list.

Napkins, because the ones that are widely used around here suck. Its like trying to clean yourself with wax paper.

[dk]

I have one thing to add to the list.

Napkins, because the ones that are widely used around here suck. Its like trying to clean yourself with wax paper.
No shit!!! HTF do they consider those napkins to begin with?!!!!!

[zeldan]

See, this is why having a baby is good. I use her diaper wipes when in need, or a burp cloth, even.

[dk]

See, this is why having a baby is good. I use her diaper wipes when in need, or a burp cloth, even.
Those baby wipes really are great. :thumbup:

[badkitty]

I bring baby wipes everywhere!! Also, I wouldn't want AAfes to run the mall because have you seen the selection of womens clothes??? I vomited in my mouth a bit just thinking about the selection and besides that they either carry really crappy stuff or really expensive stuff. Who wants a $119.00 bed skirt??

[westonmt]

Maybe it's the American suburbanite in me but can I get a coat of paint on the buildings? Other than that? A Wing House!