Moving across the country, away from your family to start your life with the military is one thing, moving across the ocean is a whole different ball game. Finding out that you and your family are being stationed in Hawaii is a dream come true, but this dream comes with the stresses of finding housing, doctors, and friends while across the ocean on the mainland. Oahu Spine and Rehab wants to help you make your transition to Hawaii a smooth one; whether it is your first duty station or your last.
The island of Oahu is covered in military bases, making most resources to you pretty close by. Oahu Spine & Rehab islocated in Kailua, which is right out of the back gate to MCBH. We offer chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy and more in our integrated health care center. Most of this guide will be based around experiences on the Marine Corps Base, but are comparable for the other bases. Our first installment of our military guide will be housing.
The most important (and possibly most difficult) item on your agenda when moving to Hawaii is housing. (If you are a single marine getting stationed in Hawaii and will be staying in the barracks-skip this section!) Military members that are stationed on Oahu receive the third highest BAH with dependents in the entire country, because of the high cost of living in Hawaii. According to military.com BAH starts at $2,922 for an E1 for Honolulu County (Covering all of Oahu). There are pros and cons to living on or off-base.
On MCBH there are two housing options, 802 and Forest City. 802 housing is the older housing on the base and you receive your full BAH, and are responsible for paying rent each month: which is around $1700, plus utilities. 802 houses have two bedrooms two bathrooms and one or one and a half bathrooms, and allow up to two pets (downfall- no A/C). In terms of finances, this is an excellent option to save money.
The other option is to get housing through Forest City, these houses are newer, bigger, and have air conditioning. There are 10 different neighborhoods on MCBH that provide housing through Forest City. These housing are great options if you have a family and pets. These houses are anywhere from 2-4 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms, generally with a garage and a driveway. These houses are among the biggest square footage that you will be able to find on the island that also allow pets. The downfall to Forest City is that they take your entire BAH each month. This means that you are paying nearly $3000 for rent every month.
Base Housing Pros:
Dogs and Cats Allowed
Parking
Bedroom count
Close to Commissary, MCX etc.
Air Conditioning (Forest City Only)
Near base amenities (beaches, marina, pool etc.)
Safety
Base Housing Cons:
Lose BAH (Forest City Only)
Base Rules (dress code, quiet hours, etc.)
Living on base has a lot of perks for military members and their families. There are many programs and resources for you available on base. It allows you to be immersed in the military lifestyle and be surrounded by people in similar situations as you and your family.
Off-base housing makes the most sense for families without children or pets. It is extremely difficult to find apartments that allow dogs and cats in Hawaii, especially on the Windward side of the island where MCBH is. To stay on within a 15-20 minute drive to MCBH your rent is going to be at minimum around $1900+ and homes will be substantially smaller than on base.
If you don’t require a lot of extra space, off base is a good option for you. Another plus to off-base housing is if your significant other is being deployed off island, you are able to downsize to a small studio while they are gone, in order to save money. If you and your spouse are planning on working or spending a lot of time exploring the island or being outside, off-base is a good option for you because you’re living space will be small, but you won’t be in your home all that often! Living off-base also lets you experience the Hawaiian lifestyle and culture and experience new things.
Off Base Pros:
Experience Hawaiian Culture
Possible more employment options for spouse/family members
Roommates
Time away from military lifestyle.
Off Base Cons:
Generally No Pets Allowed
Expensive Rent
Parking Spaces
Landlords (often times off-island)
Depending on what option will fit your and your family better, there are some important steps that need to be taken. If you are planning on getting on-base housing, you need to make sure that you get onto the list as soon as possible. If the military member is arriving before you, make sure they make a housing appointment as soon as possible when on-island in order to get on the list.
No matter if you’re choosing 802 or Forest City your appointments will be on MCBH; The MCB Hawaii Housing Office for Forest City is located at 1571 Lawrence Road on the first floor, one block after Mokapu Road. The 802 office is located directly next to the Forest City Office.
Hours of operation are:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 0730-1530
Wednesday from 0730-1400.
Forest City’s Phone Number: (808)257-2676
802’s Phone Number: (808) 257-2361
Once on the housing list, call every other day, or a few times a week to see where you are on the list. Persistence is key, and the more likely you will know right away about your housing right away.
If you’re PCSing as a family, then you will be granted TLA (Temporary Lodging Allowance) where the military will pay for eligible families arriving to Hawaii while you wait for available housing. Most hotels are within 20 miles of Kaneohe Bay and 10 miles of Camp Smith. TLA reimbursement claims are forwarded to the Finance Office at the conclusion of each 10-day increment; reimbursements are then electronically deposited within 72-96 hours. Arrival TLA can be authorized for a maximum of 60 days.
When waiting for on-base housing, if your spouse will not be available for meetings or constant contact, make sure that your spouse or you go to Base Legal in order to get a Power of Attorney. A POA will give you the power to handle certain affairs for your spouse while they are gone. This is crucial to get BEFORE deployment if your spouse is leaving and you are planning on moving to Hawaii while they are gone. If you’re moving to Hawaii alone or with your children while your spouse is deployed you MUST have the Power of Attorney or none of the offices on base will talk to you about anything.
Powers of Attorney
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday
7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. / 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
There are many resources for finding houses and apartments of base. One of the best websites is The Automated Housing Referral Network (www.AHRN.com) which is a trusted housing referral resource for the military community around the world designed to assist the military community locate available housing.
Other options include craigslist (be careful and look for red flags that could indicate a scam*), trulia.com, apartments.com, and rent.com. All of these websites will help you narrow down your search based on your criteria. Remember that whatever money you don’t pay in rent, goes straight into your pocket.
*To read more information on housing and rental scams, check out these resources on how to catch red flags:
https://support.trulia.com/hc/en-us/articles/206731187-Rental-Listing-Scams-Read-Before-You-Search
http://www.zillow.com/wikipages/Beware-of-Scams-and-Other-Internet-Fraud/
Stressed from your big move? Here at Oahu Spine and Rehab we are here to help our patients and make their lives easier. We have multiple specialists all under one roof, including top physical therapists in Aiea. No matter what housing you pick for your family, OSR is located conveniently out the back gate of MCBH to help with all of chiropractic, massage therapy, and physical therapy needs. Give us a call if you have any questions or to book your consultation today 808-488-5555 or contact us here!
http://www.military.com/Resources/2015-with-dependents-bah-rates.pdf
http://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/Departments/Installations,EnvironmentLogistics/FamilyHousing.aspx
http://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/WelcomeAboard/InboundArrivalInfo.aspx
FAQs
How long is the wait for military housing in Hawaii? ›
Average wait time for enlisted families range from immediate to one month; Officer housing, due to its limited availability and demand, average wait time can be up to the duration of TLA maximum allowable time of 60 days after arrival.
Where should I live when stationed in Hawaii? ›- Mililani is an ideal area to live in if you want to live between the North Shore, Kapolei, and Honolulu proper. ...
- Pearl City is also home to Pearlridge, which is Oahu's 2nd largest shopping mall!
If base housing has vacancies, retirees can absolutely live on the installation. All veterans with base access (Purple Heart recipients, former POWs, and those with a Veterans Healthcare Identification Card) can also live in military housing if there is space available.
How do military afford to live in Hawaii? ›Married military members have 2 choices: living on base or living outside with the help of BAH or 'basic allowance for housing'. Those who are willing to live inside, they will have to give up the BAH since almost all necessities and utilities are covered.
How much is bah in Hawaii? ›...
MHA: HI408 - Military Housing Area Name: HONOLULU COUNTY, HI.
| Grade | With Dependents | Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E03 | $2,670 | $2,004 |
| E04 | $2,670 | $2,004 |
| E05 | $2,961 | $2,220 |
| E06 | $3,081 | $2,412 |
Other places may be cheaper to live off-post, but Hawaii is so expensive that you are getting a better deal living on-base.” Living on-post can also save money when it comes to commuting and food costs, due to proximity to work and the discounted shopping at the commissary and PX.
How much is on base housing in Hawaii? ›Base Housing:
802 housing is the older housing on the base and you receive your full BAH, and are responsible for paying rent each month: which is around $1700, plus utilities. 802 houses have two bedrooms two bathrooms and one or one and a half bathrooms, and allow up to two pets (downfall- no A/C).
- Maunawili.
- Honolulu.
- Kailua.
- Hilo.
- Mililani.
- Waikele.
- Pearl City.
- Mililani Mauka.
Being stationed in Hawaii is an opportunity like none other. It's an OCONUS (outside continental United States) duty station, but unlike most other OCONUS duty stations, you're still living in the United States, which means no need for passports, conversion rates, or having to learn a new language.
Is Hawaii a veteran friendly state? ›Summary of Hawaii Military and Veterans Benefits: Hawaii offers special benefits for Service members, Veterans and their Families including property tax exemptions, Hawaii National Guard Tuition Scholarship Program, vehicle license plates, tax exemption on passenger cars, preference in state and county classified ...
Can 100% disabled veterans stay on military bases? ›
You can also use many Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) facilities, such as golf courses, marinas, and outdoor equipment rental on bases in the United States and U.S. territories. Finally, disabled veterans can stay in base lodging (on a space-available basis) on U.S. military installations.
What is Ohana housing? ›“Ohana dwelling” means a second dwelling unit permitted to be built as a separate or an attached unit on a building site. The definition makes clear that a guest house or a farm dwelling has different procedures for permitting, according to the County Code.
Is it better to rent or buy in Oahu? ›If you are staying somewhere for a short period of time, typically less than three years, rent may be the better option for you. Once you decide to rent for longer periods, you end up spending more in the long haul than if you were to buy. Renting offers little to no benefits for you financially.
Where should I live when stationed at Pearl Harbor? ›Honolulu, HI
With Hawaii's temperate climate and local trade winds, the city is a prime location for those visitors looking to relocate to the area. Its pristine beaches are located only 10 miles from the Naval Station Pearl Harbor military installation.
| # | Name/Title | Zip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ewa Beach | 96706 |
| 2 | Ocean Pointe | 96706 |
| 3 | Ko Olina | 96707 |
| 4 | Kailua/Lanikai | 96734 |
The 2022 BAH rates, as part of a robust military compensation package, continue the member cost-sharing element at five percent of the national average housing cost by pay grade. These amounts vary by grade and dependency status and range from $74 to $168 monthly for the 2022 rates.
Can military housing charge more than BAH? ›Members who rent a median-priced property will have to pay a small amount above their BAH rate. Members who choose to economize in their housing choices may have all their housing expenses covered by BAH.
Is it cheaper to live on or off base? ›Base housing is typically dated and small compared to newer construction homes off base. Living on base means forfeiting your entire BAH while living off base often costs the same (or even less) each month. It's possible to get a larger, newer home off base and still pocket some of your BAH at the end of the month.
Do you get BAH if you live on post? ›Soldiers receive BAH whether they live on or off post. The percentage of personnel living on an installation can vary, he said. For example, Fort Irwin, California, is roughly 50 miles away from a neighboring community.
What is AMR housing Hawaii? ›Aliamanu Military Reservation (AMR) Housing is centrally located in Salt Lake. The neighborhood has a gas station, shoppette, CDC, splash park, skate park, plus a community center and a pool. It is 10-12 min to downtown Waikiki. and 10 minutes from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Do DoD civilians get housing allowance in Hawaii? ›
The U.S. Government pays cost-of-living allowances (COLAs) to white-collar civilian Federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Where is the military housing in Hawaii? ›Our Hele Mai housing area is located in the Wahiawa District, in the central plateau of Oahu on NCTAMS Base. The land in its surrounding areas is largely devoted to pineapple cultivation. NCTAMS is about 3 miles from the town of Wahiawa and 21 miles from downtown Honolulu.
Which Hawaiian island has the most affordable housing? ›Generally, the lowest housing costs are on the Big Island, which is considered the cheapest Hawaiian island to live on. However, the median household income is $52,000.
What is the safest Hawaiian island to live on? ›Which Hawaiian island is the safest to live on? If you're just looking at the sheer number of incidents on each island, Kauai is the safest island to live on. In 2020, the Kauai Police Department reported the lowest number of violent crime incidents and property crime incidents of any of the four major islands.
What's the safest city in Hawaii? ›1. Wailea. Wailea has a population of over 6,000 people and a violent crime rate of just 83 per 100,000 population with no recorded homicides in 2020. It also has a low property crime rate of 784 per 100,000 people making it the safest city in Hawaii according to statistics.
Can a girlfriend live on army base? ›Can girlfriends stay on an army base? No they cannot. Only family (spouse and children, not parents, siblings) can stay on the base if the military member has authorization for it and housing is available. Not all ranks are permitted to live on base even if they're married.
How long is a duty station in Hawaii? ›The standard tour length for a DoD Service member stationed OCONUS is 36 months in an accompanied tour and 24 months in an unaccompanied tour. Hawaii and Alaska are exceptions, with a tour length of 36 months for both accompanied and unaccompanied tours.
Does Hawaii tax military income? ›According to the Hawaii filing instructions, if you are a resident of Hawaii your income is taxable on the Hawaii resident return. If you are a nonresident of Hawaii stationed in Hawaii, you are not subject to Hawaii income tax on your active duty military pay.
Do 100% disabled veterans pay property tax in Hawaii? ›If you are a totally disabled veteran due to injuries received while on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, your principal home is exempt from property taxes, other than special assessments and the annual minimum tax.
Does military pay sales tax on cars in Hawaii? ›Exemptions from Hawaii car taxes and fees
Active military members are granted exemptions from vehicle weight tax.
Can 100 disabled veterans fly free? ›
Space-A Travel for 100% Disabled Veterans
Space Available travel is not administered by the VA. Rather, this is a program provided by the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC). This program allows active service members and their dependents to travel on military aircraft for free, subject to availability.
Limited Privileges
Limited Exchange Privileges generally exclude tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and military uniforms. Honorably discharged Veterans can shop online at shopmyexchange.com.
TSA Preè is already offered to active duty, reserves, and National Guard service members at no cost. The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act will expand this program to include veterans who are amputees, paralyzed, or blind.
What are the requirements for a Adu in Hawaii? ›- Your property must be in a residential area or country district. ( ...
- Your lot must be at least 3,500 square feet.
- Your lot must contain at least one single-family dwelling.
- The property owner (or property owner's family) must reside on the property.
An Ohana is classified as any dwelling with a kitchen (stove) that's separate from the original single-family home. A separate suite in the main house doesn't count as an Ohana if it doesn't have a stove or double-basin sink. The second you add a stove, it's technically an Ohana and needs to have a permit.
Who can live on a military base? ›Living on a military base is a benefit available for all active-duty servicemembers and their dependents. The choice to live on base depends on your own personal situation, and other factors like length of commute, cost of living, local support, and general safety and security.
Is renting or owning better? ›There is no definitive answer as to whether renting or owning a home is better. The answer depends on your own personal situation—your finances, lifestyle, and personal goals. You need to weigh out the benefits and the costs of each based on your income, savings, and how you live.
Is Honolulu A good place to invest? ›Metro Honolulu. One of the best places to purchase an investment property is arguably metro Honolulu. The area has a modest growth but has the strongest job market of all the islands. It may be expensive here, but the location offers some of the best rental yields for investors.
Where should I live when stationed in Hawaii? ›- Mililani is an ideal area to live in if you want to live between the North Shore, Kapolei, and Honolulu proper. ...
- Pearl City is also home to Pearlridge, which is Oahu's 2nd largest shopping mall!
Popular areas to live off base include Leeward (West) Side, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Central, Mililani, Wahiawa, Salt Lake, Windward (East) Side, Kailua, Kaneohe, and Hawaii Kai.
Is Hawaii Kai a good place to live? ›
The Hawaii Kai community is located on the southeastern coastline of the island of O'ahu in Honolulu, Hawaii. Sunny skies, opulent ocean views, and numerous access points to the water, provided by the Hawaii Kai Marina and closeby beaches puts the community in the Top 5 best places to live in Oahu, Hawaii.
How much Bah is Hickam AFB? ›...
2022 Officer Rates.
| With Dependents | Without Dependents | |
|---|---|---|
| O7 | $3945.00 | $3621.00 |
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance specified by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status.
Can military retirees live on base in Hawaii? ›Retirees, Civilians, Want to Live in Base Housing? Yes, You Can! Military.com.
How much is on base housing in Hawaii? ›Base Housing:
802 housing is the older housing on the base and you receive your full BAH, and are responsible for paying rent each month: which is around $1700, plus utilities. 802 houses have two bedrooms two bathrooms and one or one and a half bathrooms, and allow up to two pets (downfall- no A/C).
In some cases, if there are not enough military members or their families to occupy all base housing, the housing company may open it up to civilians. This scenario does not happen all that often. If you are a military spouse or dependent, however, you are allowed to live on base.
What is it like being stationed in Hawaii? ›Being stationed in Hawaii is an opportunity like none other. It's an OCONUS (outside continental United States) duty station, but unlike most other OCONUS duty stations, you're still living in the United States, which means no need for passports, conversion rates, or having to learn a new language.
Can military retirees live on base in Hawaii? ›Retirees, Civilians, Want to Live in Base Housing? Yes, You Can! Military.com.
What is AMR housing Hawaii? ›Aliamanu Military Reservation (AMR) Housing is centrally located in Salt Lake. The neighborhood has a gas station, shoppette, CDC, splash park, skate park, plus a community center and a pool. It is 10-12 min to downtown Waikiki. and 10 minutes from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
What is Ohana housing? ›“Ohana dwelling” means a second dwelling unit permitted to be built as a separate or an attached unit on a building site. The definition makes clear that a guest house or a farm dwelling has different procedures for permitting, according to the County Code.
Where is the military housing in Hawaii? ›
Our Hele Mai housing area is located in the Wahiawa District, in the central plateau of Oahu on NCTAMS Base. The land in its surrounding areas is largely devoted to pineapple cultivation. NCTAMS is about 3 miles from the town of Wahiawa and 21 miles from downtown Honolulu.
Can DOD civilians live on Schofield Barracks? ›We'll Take Care of You
We aim to provide the ultimate living experience and are proud to serve active-duty military and retirees, reservists, DOD employees, and civilian residents.
48 contiguous United States). Alaska, Hawaii, (States) Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam (US territories) are all considered OCONUS. ...
Can a girlfriend live on a military base? ›For starters, an unmarried couple cannot live on a base outside of certain extenuating circumstances that would have the non-service member defined as a caregiver for the service member's children.
Is it cheaper to live on base or off? ›Living on Base
You save by only owing for rent whatever your service member's basic allowance for housing is. You save by having life's conveniences like the commissary, px, gas station, library and medical clinic—all within a small radius, which means spending less on travel.
Hawaii is considered an overseas assignment for the American military, known as an OCONUS (outside the contiguous United States) location.
What is the best state for military retirement? ›| Overall State Rank | Veteran Population (10%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #1 | 9.5 |
| Florida | #2 | 9.5 |
| Alaska | #3 | 5 |
| Nevada | #4 | 6 |
You can also use many Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) facilities, such as golf courses, marinas, and outdoor equipment rental on bases in the United States and U.S. territories. Finally, disabled veterans can stay in base lodging (on a space-available basis) on U.S. military installations.
What military bases allow retirees to live on base? ›- Joint Base San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. ...
- Fort Hood, Austin, Texas. ...
- NAS Pensacola: Pensacola, Florida. ...
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord: Tacoma, Washington. ...
- San Diego, California. ...
- Colorado Springs, Colorado: Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, And Schriever AFB. ...
- Tinker Air Force Base: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.