Hawaii--Military,etc INFO PLEASE

[rparmfamily]

Hey guys!

We just found out that early next year we are heading to Hawaii for 3 yrs. DH will be at Pearl Harbor on a ship. I'm looking for any insight, advice, comment,etc for our life in Hawaii. We've lived overseas before we had kids, but are currently stationed in my hometown, so I know this is going to be a hard move! I'm a little scared about making new friends, finding a place to live, job and being so far from family. (they are all East coast)

Please--I need some real-life comment. I'm looking online at info but want to know the real deal. How's housing? The commissary? schools?

Thanks!!

Oh, and if it helps, we did go to O'ahu in May for 8 days, so I've been to Hawaii before, never lived there though!!!

 

[taximomfor4]

My brother and his wife and kids were in Hawaii for 4 years...NO idea how to spell it, but not Pearl Harbor. Koneohe or something. Navy base. They LOVED Hawaii. My brother is really wanting to go back there again, but my sister in law wants to wait till they can afford private school. Their son ended up held back after their time there, he was quite behind (First or Second Grade). He learned all kinds of neat stuff, like all his colors in Hawaiian. The kids loved going to the Waikiki for day trips, too.

If you have a dog, that is complicated! Theirs had to be quarantined for 12 weeks (it was NOT cheap!)

Enjoy your time there, it's quite a neat lifestyle there I think. Friendly and sunny!

If you have any specific questions lmk and I can ask my brother. He didn't live on that base you're going to but he did live near it.

 

[beachbunny]

Please take a look at my response on the budget board.

 

[nickelsfamily]

Hi,
Sorry I can't help with specifics but....

My DH is a Marine and although we have never been stationed in Hawaii (lucky you) I have heard many things about it from some of the other spouses and hear its wonderful!
I would reccomend joining the spouses club for your DHs unit. This is what I did since I didn't know anyone or anything in jacksonville, NC when we moved. It was a great help to me. It turned out that there was no playgroup for the children of that unit, so I started one. I tried to get as involved as I could. This will help you meet people and get to know the area. Plus it makes your DH look good since his family is involved
Will you be doing base housing or civilian?

 

[rparmfamily]

Thanks for the info guys!

We will most likely be living in housing, which will be a big change because here in Fla we own our own home. We also don't have any pets luckily either.

Keep posting more info thanks!

 

[nickelsfamily]

Where in FL are you stationed?

 

[KerriSue]

I had a friend who was stationed in Hawaii and said the bugs there are massive. Roaches so big they can carry away small children. She used to use those bombs in her car to keep them out, yuck

I know that you will get a nice cola living there since it is very expensive. I remember her saying milk was very high even at the commissary.

The upside is it is Hawaii how fantastic is that.

My husband is AF and we are stationed in England....I it here.

Kerri

 

[rparmfamily]

England sounds great! That was on my list but the detailer said DH has to go to a ship. UGG. We've done Italy already.

As for huge bugs, we have those here in Florida. We spray quarterly. I hope I don't see too many in Hawaii, they are my least favorite thing about Florida!!

From what I've found, COLA is $600 a month and our BAH is $2600.