Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter Relocation Information
Welcome to Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is home to the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) headquarters. There are about 5,000 total 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)
- The Army Corps of Engineers
- 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, and it's a few miles from Wahiawa and Mililani.
5) What is the BAH for Fort Shafter?
BAH for Fort Shafter ranges from $3,333 for E-1 to $4,518 for E-9 with dependents, and from $3,702 for O-1 to $5,001 for O-6 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Base Address
Fort Shafter
Building 520
Fort Shafter, HI 96858
Oahu Military Installations
Nearby military installations:
With year-round sunshine, balmy breezes, and gorgeous beaches, you’ll enjoy the duty station of a lifetime. Honolulu means “sheltered harbor” or “calm port.” It is the only city in the U. S. home to a royal palace, Iolani Palace. Arriving in Hawaii, the word "Aloha" means hello and goodbye, but it's also a way of life. To live aloha means to live with compassion, love, and respect. Another common word is "mahalo," for thank you.
The high cost of living is an adjustment, but access to some of the world’s best beaches and free outdoor activities helps keep costs down. With no harsh winters, worn-out hats, gloves, and scarves aren't needed. There are no truly bad weather days in Hawaii, which makes 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 a service member has 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.
Arrival Lodging
Image from IHG Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter Off-Base Housing
Before deciding on a home, know the location related to the 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 to experience the island like a local without the challenge of buying or selling an expensive home. Whether choosing a high-rise in Honolulu or a single home farther out from the touristy areas, confirm the BAH before starting a house hunt. Consider downsizing household goods before heading to Hawaii. Many homes will be smaller than the average on the mainland, with less storage space.
If a service member is coming from the mainland, one might assume that anywhere on the island offers a short commute to JBPHH. While the island is relatively small in size, there are still approximately 953,207 residents here. 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.
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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. 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: $3,333
- E-1 without dependents: $2,598
- E-9 with dependents: $4,518
- E-9 without dependents: $3,783
- O-1 with dependents: $3,702
- O-1 without dependents: $2,997
- O-6 with dependents: $5,001
- O-6 without dependents: $4,413
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Fort Shafter Weather & Climate
Aside from the “winter” rainy season, if weather can be perfect year-round, it’s in Hawaii. With the average lows in the 70s, and average highs in the 80s, locals can 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 families are looking for a private school, note that approximately 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
Support for Military & Families
Oahu is home to a dense military population, so support for military families is well-established. Visit Fort Shafter’s ACS page for information on jobs, education, or volunteer opportunities.
Work Life
Oahu thrives on the hospitality industry. There are also job opportunities for 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
The area around Fort Shafter has a diverse collection of ways to volunteer:
Education Opportunities
There are plenty of higher education options near Fort Shafter:
- The University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Hawaii Pacific University
- Honolulu Community College
- Kapiolani Community College
- Hawaii Medical College
More Helpful Links
There are things to do and support for your keiki— that’s “kids” in Hawaiian:
Things to Do Near Fort Shafter
- Dole Plantation is home to the famous Dole Whip. Head to the plantation to try the Pineapple Express Train, Garden Maze, and all the fresh pineapple that can be carried home.
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific allows visitors to pay their respects to the thousands of veterans lost in the Pearl Harbor attack.
- Leahi (Diamond Head) is a hike and climb to take in once-in-a-lifetime panoramic views from one of Hawaii’s most famous state monuments and landmarks.
- Polynesian Cultural Center is 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 has locally sourced Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cuisine.
- Olena offers healthy and delicious on-the-go meals to take home.
- Cafe Julia has visitors relaxing with a meal in a chill atmosphere.
- Kai Coffee Hawaii teaches 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