Crossword Genius

Approval in a state island (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

okinawa

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'approval in a state island' is the definition.
'Okinawa' can be an answer for 'island' (Okinawa is an example). I'm not sure about the 'approval in a state' bit.

'approval in a state island' is the wordplay.
'approval' becomes 'OK' (OK is an example).
'a state island' becomes 'awa' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ok'+'in'+'awa'='OKINAWA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for okinawa that I've seen before include "WW2 campaign" , "Japanese city" , "battle!" , "Japanese island captured by US in June nineteen forty five" , "Japanese island, capital Naha" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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