Posted on Jan 13, 2019
What should I expect during my next PCS to Hawaii?
9.31K
27
20
1
1
0
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.
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 8
Violent surf gangs that also rob banks... I saw it on a documentary called Point Break.
(4)
(0)
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!
(4)
(0)
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.
(3)
(0)
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.
Just remember you are a guest on their island and always show the aloha spirit.
(2)
(0)
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.
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.
(2)
(0)
(1)
(0)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin
CPT (Join to see) - Did you have to pay an electric bill while staying in base housing?
(0)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin - They take the average meter reading of your housing block. If you exceed the average, you get a bill; if you use less you get a refund. My wife was a homemaker at the time with our 3 kids so we always got a bill.
(0)
(0)
SCPO Jason McLaughlin
CPT (Join to see) - I've heard there were families so desperate for a refund that they would live like cave people, effectively driving down the average....
(0)
(0)
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).
(2)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
I am not sure about COLA. I checked the website and it’s saying that Hawaii doesn’t receive it.
(1)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
1SG,
Thank you for clarifying that. I had been getting mixed answers. I’ll get my orders any day now to where I can get more questions answered and be able to do more. 1SG Marc Robinson
Thank you for clarifying that. I had been getting mixed answers. I’ll get my orders any day now to where I can get more questions answered and be able to do more. 1SG Marc Robinson
(0)
(0)
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.
(1)
(0)
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.
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.
(0)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
Sir,
Thank you for that! School is definitely a concern. I have a 9th grader, 6th grader and a 3rd grader. I’ve heard nothing but bad things about the education system depending on where you are. I guess that we will have to look into the private schools there.
Thank you for that! School is definitely a concern. I have a 9th grader, 6th grader and a 3rd grader. I’ve heard nothing but bad things about the education system depending on where you are. I guess that we will have to look into the private schools there.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next

PCS
Military Family
Hawaii
