Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter Relocation Information
Image from U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Facebook
Welcome to Fort Shafter!
Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is home to the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). All in all, there are 5,000 soldiers, civilians, contractors, and military families associated with Fort Shafter.
Just eight miles from world famous Honolulu, Fort Shafter is the oldest military base on the island, dating back to 1907. History buffs, mark Fort Shafter and Palm Circle as a must-see. It's designated a National Historic Landmark.
Nagorksi Golf Course- Fort Shafter. Image from army.mil.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Shafter
1) What island is Fort Shafter on?
Fort Shafter is on Oahu near Honolulu. In Hawaii, Oahu is known as the Gathering Place because the majority of the state’s population lives on the island.
2) What units are on Fort Shafter?
The major units on Fort Shafter include USARPAC, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, the 311th Signal Command, the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the 9th Mission Support Command (U.S. Army Reserve), and the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Pacific Ocean Division and Honolulu District.
3) Who is Fort Shafter Named for?
Fort Shafter is named for Major General William R Shafter. He commanded the expeditionary force that liberated Cuba in 1898.
4) Is Schofield Barracks part of Fort Shafter?
Schofield Barracks is separate from Fort Shafter. Schofield Barracks sits near the Waianae mountain range a few miles from Wahiawa and Mililani.
5) What is the BAH for Fort Shafter?
BAH for Fort Shafter ranges from $3,009 for E-1 to $4,194 for E-9 with dependents, and from $3,369 for O-1 to $4,638 for O-7 with dependents. See housing section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Oahu Military Installations
Nearby military installations:
Aloha! Go ahead and embrace the Hawaiian spirit as soon as you arrive on the island. With year-round sunshine, balmy breezes, and gorgeous beaches, you’ll more than enjoy the duty station of a lifetime.
Here’s info you need to know: Aloha means both hello and goodbye, but also a way of life. To live aloha means to live with compassion, love, and respect. Another word you’ll want to learn is mahalo, for thank you. And, here’s a couple of pieces of trivia for later: Honolulu means “sheltered harbor” or “calm port,” and it is the only city in the U. S. that’s home to a royal palace, Iolani Palace.
Image from US Army Garrison Facebook
The high cost of living is an adjustment for sure, but access to some of the world’s best beaches and free outdoor activities helps keep costs down. Plus, you won’t need to replenish worn-out hats, gloves, and scarves each winter! There are no bad weather days (well, not the whole day) in Hawaii, making a PCS to Fort Shafter the envy of friends and family.
Navigating traffic on Oahu can be challenging, especially in the tourist-heavy areas of Waikiki and around Honolulu. Even if you only have a few miles to drive, it could easily take an hour or more to drive west on H-1 out of Honolulu at the end of the day. There are three major highways, and the traffic on the H-1 running from Hawaii Kai to Kapolei is legendary during rush hour.
Oahu highway map via Travel Guide at Wikivoyage.
Arrival Lodging
Image from IHG Fort Shafter
IHG Army Hotels operates arrival lodging for Fort Shafter.
Contact info:
719 Morton Drive
Ft. Shafter, Hawaii 96858
(808) 839-2336
amerftshafterdvqreservations@ihg.com
Inn at Schofield Barracks
563 Kolekole Avenue
Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
(808) 624-9650
FrontDesk@innatschofield.com
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Fort Shafter Housing
Image from Island Palms Communities
Island Palms Communities operates Fort Shafter military housing. Renters choose from a variety of spacious 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom floor plans. Neighborhoods feature playgrounds, pools and spray parks, walking and jogging trails, community centers, and more.
Fort Shafter Housing Contact Info:
215 Duck Road
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii 96857
(877) 487-4323
IPC-Leasing@ipchawaii.com
Fort Shafter Off-Base Housing
Before you decide on a home, know the location in relation to your duty station. While it could be only 10 miles from work, the traffic on the H-1 makes a difference. Miles to base doesn’t necessarily indicate a breezy commute on Oahu. With the higher cost of living on Oahu, many military families choose to live in military housing, while others embrace off base living. Renting allows military families the opportunity to experience the island like a local without the challenge of buying or selling an expensive home. Whether you choose a high rise in Honolulu or a single home farther out from the touristy areas, be sure to confirm your BAH before you start your house hunt. You’ll want to set realistic expectations before you look at rental properties. Consider downsizing your household goods before you head to Hawaii. Many homes will be smaller than the average on the mainland with less storage space.
If you’re coming from the mainland, you might assume that anywhere on the island offers a short commute to JBPHH, and while the island is relatively small in size, you’ll find 953,207 residents here. So if you’re hoping for a quick commute to the base, check out homes in Aiea, Pearl City, and Honolulu. Other popular areas with a little longer commute include Ewa Beach and Mililani.
Base search
City Search
Fort Shafter BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Shafter is near Honolulu, Aiea, Ewa Beach, Kaneohe, and Kailua with many options to buy or rent. Fort Shafter’s BAH is close to the cost of living in the area. Some sample Fort Shafter BAH rates for zip code 96858:
- E-1 with dependents: $3,009
- E-1 without dependents: $2,256
- E-9 with dependents: $4,194
- E-9 without dependents: $3,492
- O-1 with dependents: $3,369
- O-1 without dependents: $2,694
- O-7 with dependents: $4,638
- O-7 without dependents: $4,176
Fort Shafter Weather & Climate
Aside from the “winter” rainy season, if it’s possible for weather to be perfect year-round, it’s in Hawaii. With the average lows in the 70’s and average highs in the 80’s, you’re sure to live in casual summer clothes and sandals, with the occasional light sweater.
The largest concern is hurricane season which runs from June 1 through November 30. However, tropical cyclones can occur year-round. Though a hurricane hasn’t made direct contact with Oahu since 1992, there are frequent threats. Though it usually doesn’t amount to more than a little wind and rain, the island takes it seriously, and supplies become a little scarce.
Learn more about it from the State of Hawaii Office of Public Health Preparedness.
Fort Shafter Area Schools
Fort Shafter does not have schools on base. Families who choose public schools go to one of Hawaii’s public schools in one of Oahu’s four districts: Honolulu, Windward, Central, and Leeward. Each district contains two or three Complexes. A Complex is a high school plus the affiliated regional elementary and middle schools.
Honolulu School District- image from Hawaii Public Schools
If you choose a private school, note that 71% of private schools in Hawaii have a religious affiliation. Find private school ratings at Hawaii’s Private School Review.
Homeschoolers in Hawaii must submit a letter of intent to the DOE and comply with testing requirements. Find local homeschool support groups through the Hawaii Homeschool Association, Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii, and Military Homeschoolers of Oahu.
If you need more school information, contact the base School Liaison Officer (SLO).
SLO contact info:
247 Hewitt Street
Building 1283
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, 96857
808-655-8326
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Support for Military & Families
Photo by Wade Lambert on Unsplash
Oahu is home to a dense military population, which means support for military families is established and ready when you need it. Be sure to check out Fort Shafter’s ACS page to help you get started with your job hunt, education, or volunteer opportunities.
Work Life
You’ve probably guessed Oahu thrives on the hospitality industry. If this is your expertise, you’re one step ahead. If not, you could also consider retail, nursing, office administration, customer service, teaching, or landscaping. Start with the island’s top employers to review vacancies: Altres Industrial, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Hawaii Health Systems Corp, Tripler Army Medical Center, Bank of Hawaii, and Aloha Air Cargo.
Volunteer
If volunteering is your passion, the area around Fort Shafter has a diverse collection of ways to share your time.
Education Opportunities
Maybe the time spent in Hawaii is dedicated to YOU. Are you ready to bump up your education and head back to school? There are plenty of options near Fort Shafter.
More Helpful Links
Who couldn’t use a little more help adjusting to your new life at Fort Shafter? You’ll find things to do and support for your keiki— that’s “kids” in Hawaiian!
Things to Do Near Fort Shafter
You’ll be lucky to try everything Hawaii has to offer just once. If there were ever a time to curate the best bucket list ever, this is it! Pick your favorites and move quickly; time will fly by. Here are a few of the most popular outings.
Image from army.mil
- Dole Plantation: If you never had a Dole Whip, you’re missing out. Head to the plantation to try the Pineapple Express Train, Garden Maze, and all fresh pineapple you can carry home.
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific: Pay your respects to the thousands of veterans lost in the Pearl Harbor attack.
- Leahi (Diamond Head): Hike and climb to take in once of a lifetime panoramic views from one of Hawaii’s most famous state monuments and landmarks.
- Polynesian Cultural Center: One of the best places to catch an authentic luau. Schedule time to learn about the Pacific Islands and the culture.
- The Pig and the Lady: Introduce yourself to locally sourced Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine at its best.
- Olena: Military life is busy; try healthy and delicious on-the-go meals to take home.
- Cafe Julia: Is it time to rest yet? Hardly, but relax with a meal in a chill atmosphere.
- Kai Coffee Hawaii: Learn all about Hawaii’s coffee culture with signature and custom blends.
More Area Info
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Base Address:
Headquarters, U.S. Army Pacific
Fort Shafter
,
96858