The cost of living in Hawaii is very high. Personnel are encouraged to make a budget with their base Personal Financial Management Program (located in building 220, 1st deck for MCB Hawaii) call them at 808-496-7783.
Hawaii's Animal Quarantine Law
Hawaii is a rabies-free state. Hawaii's quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age (puppies and kittens included) or purpose, must comply with Hawaii's dog and cat import requirements. Please review the update checklists on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture site and speak to your veterinarian.
Car Rental
Car rental is NOT a government reimbursed expense and is the responsibility of the individual. Many rental companies in Hawaii will not rent to anyone under 21 years of age or will impose high fees to those under 21, requiring extensive out of pocket costs. Please talk to your sponsor or unit rep about free or cheap transportation options before arrival.
Shipping a Privately Owned Vehicle to Hawaii
Only one (1) POV shipment per PCS Orders to Hawaii is allowed. Any additional POV shipment is the responsibility of the individual. Car rental is not a reimbursed expense and is the responsibility of the individual.
Opportune Lift (OpLift)
For a second (2nd) vehicle shipment option from CONUS to Hawaii, there's Opportune Lift (OpLift). This is a Navy program similar to the Space Available (Space A) passenger flight program in which a personal property, like a car, may be shipped on a Navy vessel traveling to Hawaii from ConUS for a small fee or no cost. The program is only for active duty service members on PCS orders to Hawaii or retiree's with a retiree ID card. The program only ships from San Diego to Hawaii. Be aware that because this is a space available program that it can take up to a year for a vehicle to arrive using this program.
For more information about OpLift to Hawaii from ConUS, please contact the information below:
Pet Travel
Operation Military Pets - The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helps keep military families together by providing financial assistance for pet relocation costs with their "Operation Military Pets" grant. All branches of the military can qualify for grants. The link for application is open the 1st through the 7th of each month for those going to and from OCONUS locations. Please review the spcai.org site for more information on the application process.
Passport
It's highly recommended to have a passport since travel to Hawaii is primarily done by air. Please review the information about passports on the State Department Website.
Firearms
The Honolulu Police Department website offers specifics to this topic.
Per website - Registration, mandatory, exemptions
Reference: HRS 134-3
(a) Every resident or other person arriving in the State who brings or by any other manner causes to be brought into the State a firearm of any description, whether usable or unusable, serviceable or unserviceable, modern or antique, shall register the firearm within five days after arrival of the person or of the firearm, whichever arrives later, with the chief of police of the county of the person's place of business or, if there is no place of business, the person's residence or, if there is neither a place of business nor residence, the person's place of sojourn. A nonresident alien may bring firearms not otherwise prohibited by law into the State for a continuous period not to exceed ninety days; provided that the person meets the registration requirement of this section and the person possesses:
Registration shall not be required for:
Registration Process
After purchase or acquisition of the firearm return to the HPD Firearms Section no later than 5 calendar days with the following.
Complete the firearms registration form and sign the firearms registration card.
Out-of-State Registration
There is no 14-day waiting period for Out-of-State Registration. Once the firearm arrives in the state you have 3 calendar days, (72 Hours), to bring it in to the Honolulu Police Department Firearms Section.
Please have a valid photo identification and proof of citizenship, if born outside the United States, bring proof of citizenship such as an Original US Passport, Original Naturalization Certificate, Original Born Abroad Certificate, or if you are in the military your Enlisted or Officer Record Brief will suffice only if the document states you are a United States Citizen.
Joint Registration
Married couples who would like to have their firearms jointly registered in both names need to also bring the Original Marriage Certificate.
Arriving families find it difficult to find a home whether rental or on base, large enough to accommodate their shipment of household goods. We suggest service members consider using non-temporary storage prior to their departure from CONUS locations. Non-temporary storage at their CONUS location is authorized and should be used for excess furnishings and cold weather clothing. Call your installation DMO office for more information.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
MCBH's mission is to provide facilities and services that support Combat Readiness and promote the well-being, morale, and safety of military and civilian personnel that live and work aboard the installation. We enhance Combat Readiness by providing the best training facilities in the world and by providing the best quality of service.
There is a long history of U.S. military presence in Hawaii prior to it becoming the 50th state in the union on August 21, 1959. In 1918, the eastern shore of the peninsula, named Fort Hase, was commissioned and was then known as the Kuwaahoe Military Reservation. Army artillery moved into the area in response to World War I. In 1939, the Navy began a small seaplane base. Upon its completion, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe was created and its role was expanded to include the administration of the Kaneohe Bay Naval Defense Sea Area. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked. However, it's a little known fact the Japanese first attacked Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay minutes prior to Pearl Harbor. In 1949, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, was decommissioned and the Navy relocated to Naval Air Station Barbers Point at Ewa Beach. In 1951, The Marines assumed control of the former naval air station since it seemed to be an ideal site for a combined air-ground team. Then on January 15, 1952, Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay was commissioned. In April 1994, the Marine Corps consolidated all Marine Corps installations in Hawaii under a single command that became known as Marine Corps Base Hawaii. MCBH is ideally positioned in the Pacific for a strategic deployment to the Western Pacific. Once you arrive at Marine Corps Base Hawaii be sure to visit the base library on the second deck of building 219 (near the base theater) to get more information on local history and culture.
Over 25,000 Marines, sailors, family members and civilian employees live and work on MCBH.
Over 25,000 marines, sailors, family members and civilian employees living and working on MCB Hawaii and Marine Corps elements in the Hawaii islands.
It's recommended to use the USO services office in the center of the baggage claim area at Honolulu International Airport to contact your future command and/or request for transportation assistance if needed. The USO office is located on ground level in the main tower terminal between sections "E" & "F" at the center of the baggage claim area. The USO is also a great place to stop and refresh with a free meal/snack and refreshments before heading on to the base. For inquiries, please call the USO Hawaii Office at the Honolulu International Airport at 808-836-3351 or online USO Hawaii.
Upon arrival in Hawaii, all Marines and Navy personnel assigned to a Marine command must report to the IPAC Customer Support Branch located on MCBH K-Bay Bldg 1043 1st Deck, 808-496-3197/2197.
Shuttles to the installation
There is no public transportation directly to the installation. Taxi/cab fare is roughly $60.00 (or more) and is a reimbursable travel expense up to $75.00. Ensure to ask for a military discount and for a receipt. Rental cars are NOT reimbursable expenses. It is highly recommended that you avoid the high cost of getting a rental car and either ship your car to Hawaii in advance or get your sponsor or unit rep to pick you up and assist you until your vehicle arrives.
Honolulu is the only port of entry for all animals. All animals must arrive in Honolulu for inspection and quarantine.
Dogs and cats arriving in Honolulu will be taken from the aircraft by airline personnel and delivered to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. Pets are taken out of their carriers and placed in indoor kennels and provided with fresh water. Food may be provided at owner's request. See the Hawaii Department of Agriculture web page or speak with your veterinary services provider. Pets will be held at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (808-837-8092) at the Honolulu International Airport during normal inspection hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Keep in mind that it may take up to one hour for the airlines to transport your pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. Pets not arriving at the facility during normal inspection hours will not be released at the airport, so it is important to note that your pet’s flight will need to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. in Honolulu if you would like to have your pet released the same day. Pets on international flights will also need to clear US Customs before they may be released from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. You may check with your airline regarding US Customs hours of operation. If the pet is not picked up on the day of arrival, they will be transferred to the Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701 at 8:30 a.m. the following morning and will be entered into the 5-Day-or-Less program at a cost of $244 per pet.
To MCBH K-Bay from the Honolulu International Airport.
Directions to temporary lodging on MCBH K-Bay. Enter the base through the main gate on the H-3 freeway. The Lodge on Kaneohe Bay is the base’s temporary lodging for families and is located on the right side as you enter into the base, Bldg 3083.
Directions to the Five Palms
Formerly known as the Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH) for Enlisted and Bachelor Officer Quarters (BOQ) for Officers.
Enter the base through the main gate on the H-3 freeway and drive up the second (2nd) traffic light. At that second (2nd) traffic light, turn left onto Mokapu Road. Make a right turn on Reed Road which is just before the Navy’s static plane display. At the four (4) way stop sign, drive straight passing the O’Club on the right. The Five Palms office will be on the left hand side in Bldg 503, 808-257-2409 or DSN 457-2409
Directions to Waikiki from Airport
If you're staying in a hotel 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 Rd for the Hale Koa Hotel, or continue on Ala Moana Blvd for one more blocks, to Kalakaua Ave.
808-449-7110, DSN 315-449-7110
808-449-7110DSN: 315-449-7110
Release 2024.03.06.1