Asking Military Personal/ Ft. DeRussy ...

[Robin"D"]

I am a retired from the Army after 25 yrs....
When I was stationed on Oahu/ we could drive to Ft. DeRussy and park for a day at the beach...

Is this still true for today?

if so/ is there a charge?

Thank you...

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[happymommy]

Yes, as far as I know! We were also stationed on Oahu 20 years ago, and the last time we parked at the Hale Koa parking garage a few years ago, as non military any longer, we could still use the garage for hourly parking at Waikiki. I found this on Honolulu Magazine:

Hale Koa Hotel Parking Garage, Across the street from the Hale Koa, 24 hours, $4 first hour, $1.25 per half-hour thereafter, $3 up to six hours with hotel validation, $18 max.,

I find it more convenient often than finding spots on side streets.

 

[buffettgirl]

Hale Koa owns the Fort Derussey lot. And yes, it's a great place to park. Rates aren't terrible, and if you get something at the hale koa (like a drink) or food or even buy something at the small aafes inside, you get your ticket validated and only pay $3, I think. We joke: we could pay 10 or 12 to park, but we spend $15 on drinks to only pay $3. But the location is idea, you just walk across the grassy area and you're at a non-hotel section of beach. Walk a little to the right and you're at the Hale Koa area, where the beach is larger.

 

[Aviator621]

If you are looking for a beach and are military, look up Bellows Air Force Station on the Windward side...incredible beach and much less crowded

 

[Robin"D"]

Love Bellows....just wanted to walk around Waikiki with the wife, she has never been there

Thank you all

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[islandsnoopy]

I am a retired from the Army after 25 yrs....
When I was stationed on Oahu/ we could drive to Ft. DeRussy and park for a day at the beach...

Is this still true for today?

if so/ is there a charge?

Thank you...

Robin & Angel "D"

Congratulations on your retirement! It's a wonderful feeling!

We were on Oahu last month and parked in the Ft DeRussy lot. You get a ticket when you enter the lot. When you return there's an automated parking kiosk where you pay. The attendant will look at your military id and then hand you a ticket. You'll then insert that ticket along with the one you received when entering the parking lot. Great place to park at a great price.

 

[buffettgirl]

I was at bellows today. It was way more crowded than anything I've ever seen on waikiki. We had someone's umbrella shading us, that's how tight people were packed. Also, the people were asses. White trash asses. I've never experienced that with local people on public beaches. yes. it's a pretty beach. No, I'm probably never going back there.

 

[Aviator621]

I was at bellows today. It was way more crowded than anything I've ever seen on waikiki. We had someone's umbrella shading us, that's how tight people were packed. Also, the people were asses. White trash asses. I've never experienced that with local people on public beaches. yes. it's a pretty beach. No, I'm probably never going back there.

So sorry to hear; in my many years there never ran across that kind of crowd, both in size or temperament. I do know they always had issue with crowds trying to migrate from the public beach south of Bellows to the military only beach. Wonder if that contributed.

 

[Robin"D"]

Congratulations on your retirement! It's a wonderful feeling!

We were on Oahu last month and parked in the Ft DeRussy lot. You get a ticket when you enter the lot. When you return there's an automated parking kiosk where you pay. The attendant will look at your military id and then hand you a ticket. You'll then insert that ticket along with the one you received when entering the parking lot. Great place to park at a great price.

Thank you....It was a GREAT feeling....after being gone all of the time, and now home/ going roots, Feels great!
But still working for the GOV'T/ DoD....

May I ask how much was the parking last month..

Thank you

 

[GooglyBear808]

Hale Koa owns the Fort Derussey lot. And yes, it's a great place to park. Rates aren't terrible, and if you get something at the hale koa (like a drink) or food or even buy something at the small aafes inside, you get your ticket validated and only pay $3, I think. We joke: we could pay 10 or 12 to park, but we spend $15 on drinks to only pay $3. But the location is idea, you just walk across the grassy area and you're at a non-hotel section of beach. Walk a little to the right and you're at the Hale Koa area, where the beach is larger.

On the weekends they allow civilians to use the beach if they aren't using it for training. But, if you go past the guard shack it's shouldn't be too crowded. Weekends are normally more packed than weekdays, of course! We love Bellow's!! As far as the OP's question, take note that you have to pay for your parking at one of the kiosk's before leaving. Also, they have monthly parking if one is staying at a nearby hotel!

 

[islandsnoopy]

Thank you....It was a GREAT feeling....after being gone all of the time, and now home/ going roots, Feels great!
But still working for the GOV'T/ DoD....

May I ask how much was the parking last month..

Thank you

Got there 2pm and stayed in Waikiki til around 9 pm. Parking was only $9.50. Not sure if this makes any difference in price but we were there on a Monday.

 

[buffettgirl]

So sorry to hear; in my many years there never ran across that kind of crowd, both in size or temperament. I do know they always had issue with crowds trying to migrate from the public beach south of Bellows to the military only beach. Wonder if that contributed.

This was way down on the actual bellows section, as far as you can go. And it was 100% military families, not "overflow". In fact, the public areas looked very much uncrowded.

On the weekends they allow civilians to use the beach if they aren't using it for training. But, if you go past the guard shack it's shouldn't be too crowded. Weekends are normally more packed than weekdays, of course! We love Bellow's!! As far as the OP's question, take note that you have to pay for your parking at one of the kiosk's before leaving. Also, they have monthly parking if one is staying at a nearby hotel!

I think you're mixing your two beaches. Bellows has a section of public beach that is open only on the weekend. Beyond the guard shack is the military, dod civilians, etc only. The OP was asking about Fort Derrusey.

 

[GooglyBear808]

This was way down on the actual bellows section, as far as you can go. And it was 100% military families, not "overflow". In fact, the public areas looked very much uncrowded.



I think you're mixing your two beaches. Bellows has a section of public beach that is open only on the weekend. Beyond the guard shack is the military, dod civilians, etc only. The OP was asking about Fort Derrusey.

I quoted the wrong comment .. I was replying to your post about Bellows being crowded. I didn't mix up my beaches; that whole stretch of beach whether before the guard shack or past the guard shack is 'Bellows'. I was just mentioning that yes, before the guard shack is open to the public and past it requires DoD or military ID. If you read further into my comment you can see that I mention my 'tips' about parking at Fort DeRussy.

 

[Looptyloo]

DeRussy is fine for parking, but if you want other options you could consider the public parking at the zoo or near the Hilton Hawaiian Village, between the lagoon and the marina. Those places are $1 per hour.

 

[dclpluto]

Thanks for your 25 years of service to our great country. I only served 4 years.