Crossword Genius

Island all right in a way when Yankee departs (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

okinawa

'island' is the definition.
(I know that Okinawa is a island)

'all right in a way when yankee departs' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'right' could be 'ok' (both are affirmative answers) and 'ok' is found within the answer.
'in' is within the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
'way' could be 'w' (Compass direction - West) and 'w' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'a' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

(Other definitions for okinawa that I've seen before include "Japanese city" , "Region of southern Japan, scene of fierce fighting in 1945" , "Japanese island, capital Naha" , "Japanese location" , "Pacific island" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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