Is Okinawa all its cracked up to be?

I have traveled extensively throughout Okinawa on business for nearly 40 years and maintain a small house near Koza that I rent out. I was introduced to people that became great friends when I first traveled there in the '80s. I am from the Pacific Northwest in the USA. The islands were very cool back in the day…inexpensive, the US military presence was drawing down from Vietnam, traffic was manageable, and the pop music scene was at it's zenith. Orion beer was still local. But the darker side of life in Okinawa has always been present. Key business opportunities are controlled by the govt. and handed out to mainland keiretsu at the expense of the locals…keeping Okinawa the poorest of the prefectures in Japan. Real estate is controlled by agencies that keep rents artificially high to milk military SOFA rent subsidies. Saltwater fishing is great as long as you keep out of eyeshot of boats belonging to the Fishing Association. Dealing with red tape is famously complicated and to Americans and other foreigners this can be a real downer. Thoughts from former and current residents?