Japanese eco-tour interpreter active in New Zealand

Monday 07th September, 06:14 AM JST

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11 Comments

Apsara at 08:49 AM JST - 7th September

The Jomon sugi is just one particularly old tree on Yakushima, so it should not be used in the plural in this article- Jomon sugi is not a type of tree, just a name for a single tree. I sometimes hear the sugi on Yakushima called "Yaku-sugi", but they are not all Jomon sugi.

The Jomon sugi is a sister tree of a single kauri tree in New Zealand called Tane Mahuta (since April this year). A bit of research by the translators wouldn't have gone astray here- all you have to do is look at Wikipedia for confirmation of the above.

This is also the first time I have ever seen Yakushima called "Yaku Island" in English- it seems to be universally called Yakushima, except on JT.
geronimo2006 at 09:59 AM JST - 7th September

Kauri made good timber and the gum was valuable. A lot of timber was sent off to Sydney. By the time the Australian states considered confederation the timber boom was over and most of NZ trade was with Britain (refrigerated meat) so NZ opted out from joining. Luckily for us Kauri take a long time to grow.
Suzu1 at 12:21 PM JST - 7th September

The Maori can hardly be considered environmentalists. They hunted native animals to extinction and had a culture focused on warfare and conquest. But if the Maori connection works as a marketing tool, good luck to this young lady.
notimpressed at 02:36 PM JST - 7th September

Suzu1: there was no such thing as environmentalism in any culture during the time period you are referring to. Warfare and conquest based culture? Hmm, sound like England anyone? The variety of tribes alone would prove yor sweeping statement false no matter how many tribes may have been on a warpath. Sounds like you have a problem with Maori all of your own.

The modern Maori are a people struggling to find thier place in a changing world, and are in recovery mode from the colonsation of thier land, sytematic dismantling of thier culture and language, and the resultant social problems that arise in any group forced to live on the fringe of mainstream society. Anything else you might find away from them?

Rather than make such out of context and disparaging comments, try researching what positive things are being done today by the Maori people.

Maybe you could better spend you time adding up the dastardly deeds of England and the Maori and make a comparison.

Good on this girl Okada Ai anyhow, cultural and environmental exchange does not hurt anyone, and is all about moving forward together in any small way we might. Good luck p**ssing on any other parades you might come across there Suzu1.
notimpressed at 02:39 PM JST - 7th September

correction: Anything else you might find to take away from them?
NeoJamal at 04:27 PM JST - 7th September

The protected forest is about four hours by car from New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland.

Just like anywhere in NZ's North Island, there's no point going there for sightseeing. You could probably get the similar experience and better weather in the Australian East Coast. But I like the South Island very much though, then again you don't see much Maori in the south.
Rugbyfan at 05:15 PM JST - 7th September

"NeoJamal" I strongly beg to differ with your comments about the North Island of New Zealand. The flora and fauna of Australia and New Zealand are markedly different and therefore shouldn't be compared. I know this because I am a New Zealander and have also been to Australia several times.
davidattokyo at 05:17 PM JST - 7th September

Despite being a North Islander I too have to say the South Island is much better. It's like a different country to the North Island, and beautiful. North Island got hit with the ugly stick.

I've never been to Hokianga though.
zaichik at 07:36 PM JST - 7th September

Northland is rather beautiful - we've made a couple of weekend trips up there. Even Auckland has its attractive parts (am particularly fond of the drive from Clevedon to Maraetai).

Anyway, good on this woman for putting both her language skills and her environmental knowledge to good use.
USNinJapan2 at 11:31 PM JST - 7th September

Apsara

This is also the first time I have ever seen Yakushima called "Yaku Island" in English- it seems to be universally called Yakushima, except on JT.

The same thing caught my eye too. I'm pretty sure you're supposed to leave the shima/jima/to on the name when you refer to the island in English, e.g. 'the island of Yakushima' or just 'Yakushima'.
tclh at 06:00 PM JST - 8th September

A little search on internet, I found: Yakushima island, or Yaku island but no Yakushima! funny. I always like big old trees wherever they are and Ms Okada is doing a very good job for environment and culture.