Station/Boat Location~
NESU Honolulu, Sand Island
Date there~
2007-present (06/09)
Weather~
70's-80's year round Nice breezes, some humidity, most islanders get along nicely without A/C.
Military facilities~
CG Sand Island, CG Barbers Point Air Station, Hickam AFB, Pearl Harbor Naval Station, Camp Smith Marine Base, Schofield Barracks Army Base, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, and Camp Smith Army Base.
Medical~
Most people use Tripler Army Hospital. Tripler has been great for us. You can get appointments quick and take care of any lab or pharmacy there. They have almost every kind of clinic you can imagine. I really like not having to mess with co-pays or paperwork. There's a clinic as well at Schofield Barracks that is excellent as well. You can choose from various locations to pick up prescription refills, it's really great.
Housing~
Housing has undergone a major transformation here on Oahu in the last two years. We started out in an old cinder block house, and then Forest City the housing contractor upgraded us to a huge brand new house in Halsey Terrace Navy Housing. When we first arrived the old Red Hill housing had been leveled and was not rebuilt. Red Hill is now rebuilt and is mostly Army and I've heard CG as well. I have not driven through it to see what it looks like yet. That housing would have to be obtained through the Army. I really love the new Forest City housing. Most neighborhoods have pools and the houses are beautiful. We have 3 kids so we were eligible for a 4 bdrm and it came with a bonus room as well. We have a fenced in yard (small) , covered lanai, the rest of the lawn area is taken care of by lawn service. The houses have alarms and central air (very nice) on those hot days. We also have a double enclosed garage.
Shopping~
Lots of shopping. Pearl ridge is a big mall near Pearl Harbor, Ala Moana mall is REALLY huge closer to Waikiki. There's at least 3 Costcos, several Wal-marts, Target and a Sam's Club. There is now a Whole foods here, and there are several health food stores as well. The largest NEX in the World is here, and there's a big commissary next to it. Hickam AFB has a really nice commissary, Schofield Barracks and Kaneohe Marine Corps base have commissaries as well. Shopping is not a problem, it's everywhere. You can find good deals if you look. I don't find that food is all that much more here. The grocery stores are higher but the military stores aren't bad. The COLA really makes up for anything higher.
Adult Schools~
Several Community colleges and the University of Hawaii
Fun Activities~
The has got to be the most fun place in the world if you like sunny weather and water! You will find many areas with that beautiful crystal blue clear water. Kayaking is awesome! Kailua bay is really great for that. We just roll right out of our kayaks way off shore and swim with turtles-Amazing! The Coast Guard spouses have an outrigger canoe group that meets weekly to paddle, and it’s a blast. Many people get certified to dive here. The snorkeling is just unbelievable. Surfing is really big as well. Hiking is another fun thing to do here. That's just the beginning, the historical part of Oahu as far as Pearl Harbor goes is a must see for every American who can get here. The USS Missouri (Japan surrendered onboard it) is really amazing. It's moored just down from the USS Arizona Memorial. The Hangars on Ford Island still have the bullet holes in them from the attack. This place is just overflowing with American history, as well as Hawaiian History.
Additional Info~
I've never been an active person, but I've really tried a lot of different activities and have found I really am enjoying myself here. The kids and I really don't want to leave. You can relax here. Oh I need to mention Bellows AFB beach. This just may be one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. The water is warm and boogie boarding is so much fun. Or you can just relax with the nice warm ocean breezes and take a nap. You can get so relaxed you feel like you don't have bones!!
We took advantage of the free storage before we moved here. It was a good decision, I wish we'd stored more stuff. Only bring what you really need. Some homes are small and there's not much storage.
Aloha, and welcome to Paradise!
Homeport HI
NESU Honolulu, Sand Island
Date there~
2007-present (06/09)
Weather~
70's-80's year round Nice breezes, some humidity, most islanders get along nicely without A/C.
Military facilities~
CG Sand Island, CG Barbers Point Air Station, Hickam AFB, Pearl Harbor Naval Station, Camp Smith Marine Base, Schofield Barracks Army Base, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, and Camp Smith Army Base.
Medical~
Most people use Tripler Army Hospital. Tripler has been great for us. You can get appointments quick and take care of any lab or pharmacy there. They have almost every kind of clinic you can imagine. I really like not having to mess with co-pays or paperwork. There's a clinic as well at Schofield Barracks that is excellent as well. You can choose from various locations to pick up prescription refills, it's really great.
Housing~
Housing has undergone a major transformation here on Oahu in the last two years. We started out in an old cinder block house, and then Forest City the housing contractor upgraded us to a huge brand new house in Halsey Terrace Navy Housing. When we first arrived the old Red Hill housing had been leveled and was not rebuilt. Red Hill is now rebuilt and is mostly Army and I've heard CG as well. I have not driven through it to see what it looks like yet. That housing would have to be obtained through the Army. I really love the new Forest City housing. Most neighborhoods have pools and the houses are beautiful. We have 3 kids so we were eligible for a 4 bdrm and it came with a bonus room as well. We have a fenced in yard (small) , covered lanai, the rest of the lawn area is taken care of by lawn service. The houses have alarms and central air (very nice) on those hot days. We also have a double enclosed garage.
Shopping~
Lots of shopping. Pearl ridge is a big mall near Pearl Harbor, Ala Moana mall is REALLY huge closer to Waikiki. There's at least 3 Costcos, several Wal-marts, Target and a Sam's Club. There is now a Whole foods here, and there are several health food stores as well. The largest NEX in the World is here, and there's a big commissary next to it. Hickam AFB has a really nice commissary, Schofield Barracks and Kaneohe Marine Corps base have commissaries as well. Shopping is not a problem, it's everywhere. You can find good deals if you look. I don't find that food is all that much more here. The grocery stores are higher but the military stores aren't bad. The COLA really makes up for anything higher.
Adult Schools~
Several Community colleges and the University of Hawaii
Fun Activities~
The has got to be the most fun place in the world if you like sunny weather and water! You will find many areas with that beautiful crystal blue clear water. Kayaking is awesome! Kailua bay is really great for that. We just roll right out of our kayaks way off shore and swim with turtles-Amazing! The Coast Guard spouses have an outrigger canoe group that meets weekly to paddle, and it’s a blast. Many people get certified to dive here. The snorkeling is just unbelievable. Surfing is really big as well. Hiking is another fun thing to do here. That's just the beginning, the historical part of Oahu as far as Pearl Harbor goes is a must see for every American who can get here. The USS Missouri (Japan surrendered onboard it) is really amazing. It's moored just down from the USS Arizona Memorial. The Hangars on Ford Island still have the bullet holes in them from the attack. This place is just overflowing with American history, as well as Hawaiian History.
Additional Info~
I've never been an active person, but I've really tried a lot of different activities and have found I really am enjoying myself here. The kids and I really don't want to leave. You can relax here. Oh I need to mention Bellows AFB beach. This just may be one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. The water is warm and boogie boarding is so much fun. Or you can just relax with the nice warm ocean breezes and take a nap. You can get so relaxed you feel like you don't have bones!!
We took advantage of the free storage before we moved here. It was a good decision, I wish we'd stored more stuff. Only bring what you really need. Some homes are small and there's not much storage.
Aloha, and welcome to Paradise!
Homeport HI
