Kadena hosts Okinawan historical sites Published June 30, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AB, Japan -- As local Okinawa citizens pray at their family tomb, an Airman from Kadena Air Base stands nearby and observes the ceremony, both learning the history of and protecting these historical sites. As part of an official program at Kadena Air Base, members of the 18th Wing work diligently to preserve the past for future generations while they promote peace in the Pacific. Through the program run by the 18th Wing, units here maintain and protect sacred Okinawa sites and provide the ability for local people to visit those locations. The job of allowing public access to the sites became more difficult after the 9-11 attacks in 2001, when security measures on base tightened and local access to the base was restricted. "Post 9-11 when security measures became more aggressive, the public affairs office had to step up and take this on," said Takako Fukuhara, 18th Wing Public Affairs chief of community relations. "We had to setup a program that would provide escorts for locals to come and visit these sites in the wake of the new security restrictions." Part of the program relies on Kadena AB volunteers to act as escorts for locals wishing to visit. Visits are usually scheduled for Fridays, with military community members escorting up to three groups onto the installation. On special lunar calendar days and occasions, members of the 18th Wing PA community relations department will fulfill the escort duties. One special event is in the spring, when last year approximately 330 people from 70 families visited Kadena for a traditional event called Shimi, where they paid a ceremonial visit to their family's ancestral tomb and prayed for the family's health and prosperity. Every year, volunteers from the 18th Munitions Squadron escort visitors to their family tomb. Shinyu Iha, an Okinawan employee from 18th MUNS serves as a liaison. "I'm glad I can be of assistance to the local people," said Mr. Iha. The sacred sites program also allows Americans assigned to Kadena AB to learn more about their host nation and the people of Okinawa. "Some of the volunteers bond with the local visitors," said Kaori Shimabukuro, 18th Wing PA community relations specialist. "Often, visitors will have a small picnic after they visit the shrine, and on many occasions they will invite the military members to join them, giving them an opportunity to get to know each other better. "We've gotten a lot of good feedback about how positive the escorts are," she said. The sacred site visiting program hosted 161 members of the local community last year in addition to the Shimi visitors. In 1993, an archaeological team surveyed Kadena AB and identified 92 cultural assets. These assets include various sites including old hangars, tombs and surrender monuments. Kadena AB has preserved these sites for future generations, spending base funds to erect historical markers, cleaning the areas and making access easier for the public. Along with the visitation program, Kadena AB also has an "Adopt a Site" program that allows base units to take charge of maintaining the sites. Interested units can adopt one of the historical sites making them responsible for keeping the grounds maintained and cleaned, and trees well trimmed in the area. It's especially important after typhoons, when tree branches and other debris are blown onto the sites. The importance of the adoption program goes beyond maintenance of the site, as it gives members of Kadena AB a better chance to protect history on base, said George Komine, 18th Wing cultural resource program manager. "It's education for the military members," he said. "When you educate people you help them understand the significance of these sites, and that lets them know what they are protecting and preserving here on Kadena." Protecting the sites is an 18th Wing responsibility, and it allows for Americans stationed here to show their respect for Okinawan history, said Mr. Komine. "These programs show that the base residents here on Kadena really are concerned for the cultural sites here on Okinawa," he said.