the last time i was over in okinawa, i went snorkeling at this coolest place. and when i got out of the water, i seen this sign. yes, in english for all us foreigners.
CAUTION: PROHIBITION OF CATCHING FISH. VISITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CATCH FISH. YOU CAN RECEIVE A SENTENCE OF UP TO 6 MONTHS OF JAIL TIME OR A MAXIMUM FINE OF 100,000 YEN.
IN ADDITION: FOREIGNERS ARE ALSO PROHIBITED FROM CATCHING FISH. IF YOU VIOLATE THE REGULATION, YOU WILL RECEIVE UP TO 3 YEARS IN JAIL OR A MAXIMIZE FINE OF 4,000,000 YEN OR BOTH.
in other words, if your japanese, you get little jail time and a small fine. but if you’re a foreigner, you get long jail time and a huge fine. discrimination? i think so.
anyway, after i seen this sign, i had my friend drop off my speargun i was keeping in okinawa to my hotel and i brought it back to hawaii. i don’t want to go to jail and i don’t have 4,000,000 yen or $50,000 USD. so to all of those who ask me about spearfishing in okinawa, this sign says it all. and if you get caught, don’t say i didn’t warn you.
hey, how’s our endless summer? warm water, beautiful weather, and waves everywhere! i’ve been surfing so much that my eyes are even sunburnt. yikes!
and last, i want to say hello and thank you to Aunty Jen from the big island for the encouraging emails. thank you for thinking of me. after our palau trip last year, i learned a lot from this amazing woman. she taught me the true meaning of aloha spirit. she comforted me when i was in total distraught on the day of march 11. she followed up to see how i am. and she sends me her aloha all the time from the big island. hey Aunty Jen, Thanks for everything! You are amazing! I can’t wait to visit you someday on the Big Island. Take me to your secret spots. Let’s free dive, let’s get some lobsters, a few kumu’s, and throw it on the fire while catching up on things. Glad to hear you’re doing well. Take care and keep in touch. Keep spreading the Aloha Aunty!
