What should I expect during my next PCS to Hawaii?

2019-01-13T15:57:26-05:00

I am PCS’ing in a few months to Hawaii and would like to know what to expect for my family. I keep hearing that the locals aren’t friendly to Caucasian’s, which that is what my husband is. Any input would be awesome.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 4:35 PM

2019-01-13T16:35:40-05:00

Hawaii was awesome. I was there 2011-2014. The locals there don't like the military much, but I am white and as long as you gave respect then you got respect. I never had a problem with them and I spear fished many times in Wainee (local only type area). There was so much to do, but I can tell you it is more relaxed Army wise. Great duty station especially for family!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 13 at 2019 5:41 PM

2019-01-13T17:41:11-05:00

My father told me that Hawaii is well diversified, but also divisive.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 6:44 PM

2019-01-13T18:44:28-05:00

Violent surf gangs that also rob banks... I saw it on a documentary called Point Break.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 6:55 PM

2019-01-13T18:55:29-05:00

I was there from 05-09 with my family and never had a single issue. If you act right you get treated right. Now a group of males hanging out causing a ruckus is a different story.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2019 11:14 PM

2019-01-13T23:14:29-05:00

Hawaii is great. People are generally friendly. Very laid back. Climate is amazing. Postcard quality scenery all over the place. Everything is crazy-insane expensive, but you used to get a big COLA to compensate (assume one still does).

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jan 14 at 2019 9:23 AM

2019-01-14T09:23:56-05:00

There were certain areas of the island that were less tolerant of stupidity by non-natives (not just Caucasians) and more tolerant of stupidity by natives. But the bottom line is that any place I went, I was treated with generally the same level of respect as I gave.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2019 1:36 PM

2019-01-14T13:36:45-05:00

I just left there a few months ago. It was a great experience overall. My wife experienced some rude remarks due to being white while shopping, but I never did. There are some rural parts of the island we were advised to stay away from.

The scenery is gorgeous and the weather is amazing. There's a ton of things to do outside, and we never experienced "island fever". Having said that, the traffic is the worst I have experienced, the roads are terrible, and the cost of living is very high.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Jan 18 at 2019 11:30 AM

2019-01-18T11:30:47-05:00

I was there 2005-2008. Never had a problem with the locals. Some of my younger troops ran into problems while out too late, too drunk, and acting foolish.
Just remember you are a guest on their island and always show the aloha spirit.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 3:08 PM

2019-01-18T15:08:45-05:00

Grew up in part of Hawaii....on Oahu, Schofield Barracks for 4 years. My dad was military, so I was young, only in grade school and went to school on post with other military kids. If we'd stayed there long term, I'd of likely gone to a private school in the area, since the public schools are terrible for High School.

There are many problems with the local kids & military kids and it is fairly rough in the public school system. That's one thing to consider if you have older children- home school or private schools are really the only options in my opinion.

On other fronts the weather there is awesome. 60s-80s pretty much every day, with some light rain in the afternoons. We went to the beach, pretty much year round & only got 1 tropical storm in 4 years while I was there. Hawaii just got hit by 2 hurricane's last year- so it may be a while until that happens again.