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Cost of Living by Expense Category
Honolulu, Hawaii's Cost of Living is 85.3% higher than the national average. The Cost of Living in any area can vary based on factors such as career, its average salary and the real estate market of the area. PayScale Cost of Living Calculator can help you find out more about how your individual needs will factor in when beginning your research to figure out how much it would cost you to relocate.
Housing, Utilities, and Transportation
Honolulu's housing expenses are 218.1% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 71% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 33.1% higher than the national average.
Food and Grocery
Honolulu has grocery prices that are 20% higher than the national average.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Honolulu is 18% higher than the national average.
Hawaii is rabies-free. Hawaii's quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. This law states that dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for a 5-Day-Or-Less quarantine program, which has a provision for direct release at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport after inspection. See the State of Hawaii Animal Industry Division’s Checklist For 5-Day-Or-Less Program for details.
Hawaii has regulations for pet importation. These must be followed in order to be authorized a direct release from the airport if all pre-arrival requirements are completed and all required paperwork/payments are submitted at least 10 days prior to arrival.
The e-mail address for the Animal Quarantine Station is rabiesfree@hawaii.gov or hdoa.info@hawaii.gov. Their telephone number is 808-483-7151.
Some non-domestic animals are allowed into the state while others are not. If you wish to bring a pet other than a dog or cat, it is highly suggested you contact the Plant Quarantine Non-Domestic and Microorganism Office for more information. You may call with questions at 808-832-0566 or 808-837-8413.
Navy Specific
The primary mission of Pearl Harbor is to provide berthing and shore side support to surface ships and submarines, as well as maintenance and training. Pearl Harbor can accommodate the largest ships in the fleet, to include dry dock services, and is now home to over 160 commands. Housing, personnel, and family support are also provided and are an integral part of the shore side activities, which encompass both permanent and transient personnel.
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific provides operational direction and management to all Pacific Naval Telecommunication System users. In addition to this function, NCTAMS PAC manages, operates, and maintains the Defense Communication System and Naval Telecommunication System assets. It also offers a full range of ADP and Information Resource Services, Maintenance and Repair, and Communication/Electronic and Defense Message System coordination to the Navy and other Defense Department activities in the Pacific.
Air Force Specific
The major Air Force command is Pacific Command. PACAF's primary mission is to plan, conduct and coordinate offensive and defensive air operations in the Pacific and Asian theaters. The mission of the 15th Airlift Wing is to enhance PACAF's power and reach by ensuring world-class en route support, maintaining operational ready forces and providing superior customer service.
Pearl Harbor was established as a United States Naval Base in 1908 and remains a vital part of the U.S. defense establishment today. Pearl Harbor is a national historic landmark because of its essential contribution to the rise of the United States as a major power in the Pacific and the crucial role it played in World War II, beginning with the December 7, 1941 attack. For more information, please visit Pearl Harbor's homepage.
Hickam Field was named for Lieutenant Colonel Horace Meek Hickam, an aviation pioneer, killed in a flying accident at Fort Crockett near Galveston, Texas. Hickam Field was dedicated on May 31, 1935 and officially activated in 1938. In 1957, Headquarters Pacific Air Force was established at Hickam Air Force Base. The unification of Pacific Air Forces was a historic "first" in which all USAF fighting forces assigned to the Pacific and Far East areas were consolidated under one command.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam provides services comparable to a large city to a population of active duty from all services, guard, reserve, family members and retirees.
1,446,146 in the Honolulu metro area per the U.S. Census Bureau
Navy-Specific Information:
Air Force-Specific Information:
Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam serves over 55,000 people each year, has its own police/security force and is responsible for Department of Defense firefighters in 13 stations island-wide.
JBPHH is home to 5,451 Air Force military members who have 7,555 family members.
Naval Base Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base were realigned to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), which became fully operational on 01 October 2010.
The information in this file covers Navy Region Hawaii Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, along with our Navy satellite installation, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific (NCTAMS PAC) located at Wahiawa. Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam is located eight miles west of Honolulu, on the Island of Oahu, county of Honolulu, one of eight islands that make up the State of Hawaii. The main gates for both Pearl Harbor and Hickam are approximately two miles west of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The island hosts all branches of the armed forces, including the Coast Guard.
For direct release, animals must arrive before/by 3:30 p.m. to be released at the airport. Airport inspection may take up to one hour. The Airport Holding Facility closes at 5 p.m., however, the office processing closes down at 4:30 p.m. Arrange with the airlines for your flight to arrive well before 3:30 p.m.
Otherwise, animals will remain at the Animal Quarantine Holding Facility at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. There is an Airport Quarantine Hold overnight fee. The Holding Facility will take the animal to the quarantine station the next day or if all requirements are met they may be picked up at the Quarantine Holding Facility at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport before 10 a.m. the next day. Animal carriers cannot be opened on airport property/premises. To get to the Airport Holding Facility, a vehicle is needed. For more information, visit the Hawaii Department of Agriculture website.
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
A major aviation gateway for the State of Hawai'i, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is the primary hub for domestic overseas and interisland flights and is currently one of three State airports accommodating international flights. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport also functions as a joint military-civilian airport sharing airfield facilities with Hickam Air Field, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. While landing you may see aircraft from the Hawaii Air National Guard and the US Air Force. Cab fare is approximately $15.00 to $20.00 to Hickam and $20.00 to $25.00 to Pearl Harbor from the airport. The #19 Bus will travel directly onto Hickam, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam from the airport. Have your military I.D. ready for security personnel.
Directions from the Airport to Hickam, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
To reach Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, follow the signs to "H1 Waianae" as you leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. On H1, move immediately to the far right lane and take the next exit to "Hickam AFB"
Directions from Airport to Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
Take H-1 West, on freeway exit from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, or you can go out of the airport and head west on Nimitz Highway. The main gate (commonly known as Nimitz Gate) is approximately two miles west of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Nimitz Highway. Pearl Harbor is located eight miles west of Honolulu, on the Island of Oahu. It is one of eight islands that make up the State of Hawaii.
Limited service is available from "The Bus," the City and County of Honolulu's Bus Service. Contact them at 808-848-5555 or online for more information. If taking a taxi, request one with base access. Not all taxi's are authorized on base. "The Cab" is an authorized taxi service at 808-422-2222.
If you are arriving via rental car you may get a temporary pass at the Pass and ID office which is located on the right just before Nimitz Gate in Building 3455, 1240 South Drive. Office hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. After working hours, including weekends, visitor passes are not available, until the next business day (808-449-0865).
Directions to Waikiki
If you are going to temporary lodging in Waikiki, follow the signs to "H1 Honolulu." From H1 take the "Nimitz" cut-off which becomes Ala Moana Blvd after approximately seven miles. Take a right on Kalia Road for the Hale Koa Hotel, or continue on Ala Moana for one more block, to Kalakaua Avenue.
Directions to the Military and Family Support Center, Hickam, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
Military and Family Support Center Hickam from the main gate, take O'Malley Blvd past the flight line (on left). Proceed into the circle and get into the right lane. This lane will force you to make a right at the second Vickers Avenue. At the first road, Scott Circle, take a right. The Military and Family Support Center Hickam, Building 1105, is on the corner to your left with parking in the back/side of the building.
USO Hawaii at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, 300 Rodgers Boulevard, #48, located at Terminal 2, between baggage claim areas 19 and 20 (808-836-3351). Email address: usohonolulu.web@uso.org. Amenities include (donation QR Code Available):
For the Airport USO: USO assists military and their families by assisting in phone contacts for arrival pickup. There is no sleeping area. The Airport USO is open seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There is also a USO located at the Hickam Air Mobility Command terminal at 355 Mamiya Avenue, in Building 2028, Room 167. Presently, the USO at Hickam is in a tent; soon to reopen in a building. It has a small lounge; primarily used for troop movement and Space a type of occurrences. For more information email at usojbphh.web@uso.org.
For Fort Shafter:
There is a USO at Building 503B near the barracks. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7p.m. Telephone: 808-744-9404.
Amenities include:
Pool table, table tennis, multiple TVs with cable, Xbox One, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, books magazines, board games, computers, wifi, outdoor lanai space.
Snacks and drinks available, special meals and family programs.
For Schofield Barracks:
There is a USO at 208 Trimble Road, Building 586. Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Weekends and Federal Holidays are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Telephone: 808-744-7879. E-Mail Address: usoschofieldbarracks.web@uso.org.
Food and Beverages: beverages, coffee and tea, snacks, monthly Wednesday lunch
Connectivity: common access card readers, computers and laptops, phones, Wi-Fi
Multimedia and Gaming: DVD and Blu-ray player, Play Station 5, TV and cable, Social Media room
Rest and Relaxation: air conditioning, baby-changing station, bathroom, board and table games, children's play area, lounge, playing cards
Travel Services: greeting cards, information desk, local information, lost and found
The free Navy Exchange shuttle bus provides services around Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam on both Pearl Harbor and Hickam. The COVID operating hours for the shuttle are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, no weekends. For more information on the NEX shuttle, call 808-423-3344. The only authorized taxi service for military bases is TheCab Hawaii. Call 808-422-2222.
Public transportation is available from various locations on base via TheBus from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. For routes and schedules, call 808-848-5555 and press 2. You can also visit TheBus website or contact customer service at 808-848-4500. TheBus Pass Office hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on city holidays. You must be in line by 3:30 p.m. as the office closes promptly at 4 p.m.
TheHandi-Van is a public transit service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the city's bus service. TheHandi-Van service is generally available island-wide Monday through Sunday. For additional information and eligibility, call 808-538-0033. For TheHandi-Van customer service, call 808-456-5555 ext. 3. For reservations, call 808-456-5555 ext. 1.
Skyline is the latest addition to our island's transportation options elevating riders above ground-level congestion to avoid traffic, roadway incidents and road construction. Skyline operates from Kualaka`i East Kapolei station to Halawa Aloha Stadium station. Fares for Skyline will follow the same fare structure as TheBus. Skyline will require riders to have an active HOLO card loaded with funds to board. Each first tap will come with transfers, free within the next 2.5 hours. HOLO cards also come with fare capping to ensure you don't spend more than a day or monthly pass. HOLO card vending kiosks will also be located next to the fare gates.
Skyline will have connectivity to TheBus and other city modes of public transportation. Riders will be able to use their HOLO cards to board both TheBus and Skyline, keeping transfers and passes between both systems. There are three new TheBus Transit Centers for bus stop connectivity located at Keone`ae at UH West Oahu, Ho`ae`ae at West Loch and Halawa at Aloha Stadium. All Skyline stations, excluding Honouliuli, will have bus stops and connectivity. A one-way trip on Skyline (from Kualaka`i East Kapolei to Halawa Aloha Stadium or vice versa) takes roughly 22 minutes. The average time between each station is roughly three to four minutes. For further questions and assistance, please call 808-848-5555 Option 4 or by email at skyline@honolulu.gov.
Mass Transportation Benefit Program / Transportation Incentive Program System
The Defense Department offers a reimbursement benefit that can be applied for to offset commuting costs for active-duty, Reserve and National Guard service members, as well as general schedule and non-appropriated fund employees. This reduces pollution and traffic congestion, preserves the environment and expands transportation alternatives. This benefit can only be used for travel to and from place of employment. It cannot be used for meetings or off-duty transportation. For more information, see Department of Defense Instruction 1000.27.
808-449-7110 or DSN 315-449-7110