HUMAN RIGHTS IN OKINAWA: AN APPEAL FOR PEACE

Despite state and local referendums and massive protests against militarism, the US and Japanese governments remain steadfast in the military occupation of Okinawa. These community activists come to appeal for peace and the dissolution of plans to build off-shore military facilities in Okinawa's `aina, as is being proposed by the US and Japanese governments.
The predicament of military bases in Okinawa, includes, but is not limited to: human and land rights, cultural and ecological preservation, socioeconomic effects of militarization, island economy/mainlandEdependency issues, neo-colonialism, jurisdiction issues, and issues of self-determination. Education on Okinawa can give us insights on similar issues here in Hawai`i and extending solidarity with these island cousins.
For more information, including sponsorship, please contact: pete shimazaki doktor;dok@hawaii.rr.com
sponsors include: Hawai`i Okinawa Peace Network, UH Manoa: ASUH, GSO, Matsunaga Institute for Peace , Center for Hawaiian Studies, Environmental Law Society, Pacific Asia Law Students Association, `Aha Hui o Hawai`i, American Friends Service Committee- Hawai`i Area Program, UH YWCA, People's Fund...

messages from Okinawa to the friends in Hawai'i

Greetings from Okinawa

I would like to thank you for inviting us to Hawaii over the pacific. It is my great pleasure to participate the Presentation on Human Rights in Okinawa organized by Hawaii people. Since the Japanese government announced the relocation plan of Futenma Air base I have been working hard, in and out of Okinawa, to protect beautiful city of Nago.
My beloved town of Setake on the east coast of Nago is embraced with such beautiful beaches of white sands. They are unfortunately obstructed their views, by the US Marine base "Camp Schwab." The new relocation plan of Futenma Air Base aims for adding another military function strengthened with helicopters called Osprey. It is a bilateral plan of US-Japan that we, the residents of Setake oppose to.
The Hawaii occasion gives us an opportunity to speak up about the harsh situation of Nago, not to mention that it is a great chance for us to hear live voices of Hawaii people.
I look forward to seeing you in mid-April, from the deepest bottom of my heart.

In solidarity,

Tomi Mashiki



Dear Friends in Hawaii

I would like to thank all of you for inviting us to Hawaii.
My hometown Nago city now faces the new building plan of a giant military heliport for US marine. The government of Japan succeeded in having both the city mayor and the prefectural governor accepting the plan, ignoring the voices of the residents of Nago. However we are bundled in a solid determination not to let them implement such unjust oppression.
The new heliport will accumulate the burdens we have had from existing marine facilities- Camp Schwab, Henoko Ammunition Storage, live-fire exercises field, and bomb disposal field. All of these have been in Nago for the past 40 years and cannot shoulder another one. We have had enough pains and we have wished, together with all Okinawans in other cities, for total removal, or at least reduction of the US bases in Okinawa.
The two countries the US and Japan are using our wishes. They tricked us by pointing the danger of Futenma Air Base currently located in urban area of dense population. Yet the truth behind the caring words was instead their greed to expand the base to meet up-to-date helicopter called Osprey. They simply want to remodel the old facility in Futenma Air Base. The sparse area of the east side of Nago city was chosen because there would be fewer risks to harm people.
The planned site is fully celebrated with rich nature and lives including dugong, a marine mammal protected under Washington Convention. The recent study finds that the ocean off east coast of Nago is the northern boundary of their habitat in the pacific area, while the groundside is a forest treasured with many rare and indigenous species. The expansion of the base will certainly endanger those precious lives and human living.
Some suffering Okinawans started to suggest relocating it to Hawaii or Guam, just because they want to vanish the bases out from Okinawa. My heart is torn. As I find the position of Hawaii and Guam in the US somehow similar to the position of Okinawa in Japan, I do not wish to replace our burden to our brothers and sisters in those islands in the pacific. Beyond the national borders I am sure that we could seek for genuine peace and independency for both of us together. Perhaps the success of the Philippines and Puerto Rico would be a great model for us to learn together.
I look forward to meeting you and to sharing love to our islands.
From the beautiful island of Okinawa to the cherished island of Hawaii

Etsuko Urashima.

nagocnet@hotmail.com