SFC Private RallyPoint Member1686162<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>So, I'm on assignment to report to Fort Shafter in March, 2017, but I've got permission to early report in January 2017. Never been out of the continental US, minus my two deployments, so my family is beyond excited for this next move. Anyone have any positive/negative opinions of Fort Shafter or anything noteworthy to share about being stationed in Hawaii? Anything would be greatly appreciated...What are your opinions/reviews of Fort Shafter?2016-07-03T21:23:26-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1686162<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>So, I'm on assignment to report to Fort Shafter in March, 2017, but I've got permission to early report in January 2017. Never been out of the continental US, minus my two deployments, so my family is beyond excited for this next move. Anyone have any positive/negative opinions of Fort Shafter or anything noteworthy to share about being stationed in Hawaii? Anything would be greatly appreciated...What are your opinions/reviews of Fort Shafter?2016-07-03T21:23:26-04:002016-07-03T21:23:26-04:00CPT Jack Durish1686175<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I doubt if my experience at Ft Shafter would be worth mentioning. It was 1968 to 1971. However, I doubt if the significant things will have changed much. The weather is pleasant year round. The beaches are wonderful, especially for children (just stick to the leeward side of the island in the winter months - the surf on the north shore is monstrous when winter storms in the northern hemisphere drive huge swells there) Teach you children to never turn their backs on the ocean. It's expensive, really expensive on the civilian economy. The commissary at Pearl Harbor was the best in those days. DO NOT KILL the geckos you'll find climbing on the walls. They eat cockroaches, although they are annoying during mating season - they croak like bull frogs. DO NOT let anyone tell you to keep mothballs under the floor mats of your car to keep the cockroaches out - that's an old island joke. Check out the R&R facilities at Ft Derusy on Waikaki Beach. EnjoyResponse by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 3 at 2016 9:30 PM2016-07-03T21:30:02-04:002016-07-03T21:30:02-04:00MSgt John McGowan1686181<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SGT. The weather is wonderful. Beaches beautiful. Planty to see and visit. Enjoyed my 41 months there but sure got bad assignment when I left. Oh by the way, it expensive. And don't try and make ice cream out of coconut milk. LOL Don't know any thing about the Fort, been to the NCO club. Enjoy your new duty station.Response by MSgt John McGowan made Jul 3 at 2016 9:41 PM2016-07-03T21:41:11-04:002016-07-03T21:41:11-04:00MSG Pat Colby1686213<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What unit?Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jul 3 at 2016 9:58 PM2016-07-03T21:58:07-04:002016-07-03T21:58:07-04:00CSM Charles Hayden1686255<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="165667" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/165667-25w-telecommunications-operations-chief-usarpac">SFC Private RallyPoint Member</a> Please enjoy the 'Cultural Center' operated by the Mormon Church. Going there was a pleasant day for me. <br /><br />SFC Krotzer was going to retire in HI, and buy a bag of rice on payday and do a lot of fishing! (1955 era).Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 3 at 2016 10:17 PM2016-07-03T22:17:16-04:002016-07-03T22:17:16-04:00PO1 William "Chip" Nagel1686292<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Can I go with you? 2 years at CINCPACFLT, I rather enjoyed myself for the most part. The only thing that I didn't enjoy was the game of "Lets run the Howley (White Non-Islander) off the Road when I was on my Moped". It's a relatively small island with a significant population so you may feel a bit crowded sometimes but there are plenty of Green Spaces to Chill at. In no time at all you will be "Da Kind" (Cool) and "Coma Inna" (Come from the Island/Fellow Islander). You're taking your Family with you, I'm sure they will love it, Just don't be whistling at some other Ladies Okole (Ass) near your wife. Only place I ever lived that had a song about a nice piece "Sweet Okole". I got a lot of dents in my body from escapades in Hawaii and I loved getting every last one of them.Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 3 at 2016 10:55 PM2016-07-03T22:55:46-04:002016-07-03T22:55:46-04:00MAJ Rene De La Rosa1686356<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You will absolutely love it! Outstanding opportunity for you and your family. Even though there is limited space, there are a surprising number of things to do. Go visit the other islands; you would be remiss not to do this. Get to know the locals; they can give you advice of where to go and not to go. Going to the mainland can be expensive, so that can be problematic. Above all, bring both sets of parents out. Living in the land of Aloha should be shared with your entire family. Additionally, set yourself up for success by going to the promotion board. Good luck!Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jul 3 at 2016 11:31 PM2016-07-03T23:31:36-04:002016-07-03T23:31:36-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1687045<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I was stationed there from 2008-2011. In my opinion Hawaii is great if you are a young, single Soldier. If you are married and/or have children it is a nightmare-- especially if you have children... The Hawaiian school system is among the worst in the nation and unless you live at Schofield Barracks there is no DoD schooling. <br /><br />If you are married GET ON THE HOUSING WAITING LIST ASAP-- hopefully you will get lucky and get "the good on-post housing". I sincerely hope since I was stationed there that they have replaced all the old on-post housing. Shafter Flats was one of the few places where the Army actually gives you back part of your BAH (pays you) to live there it was so bad, nothing more than cinderblock huts with window AC units.<br /><br />Sorry to be so negative, but I would have rather been deployed for three years then go to Hawaii to live with my family. I hope to never have to return.<br /><br />... Oh, and don't even get me started on the traffic. <br />0{:-oResponse by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2016 10:55 AM2016-07-04T10:55:41-04:002016-07-04T10:55:41-04:00SSG Randall P.1693304<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There are a lot of cats... Everywhere...Response by SSG Randall P. made Jul 6 at 2016 10:54 AM2016-07-06T10:54:25-04:002016-07-06T10:54:25-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1708335<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I loved Hawaii if you all love the outdoors you will love Hawaii. There is so Much to do. Hiking biking swimming site seeing at the look out points. My family enjoyed Hawaii. Expensive but if you budget your money you will have plenty to do. Also the bases have a lot of free events. Get involved shafter flats and shafter main have activitiesResponse by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2016 10:42 PM2016-07-11T22:42:45-04:002016-07-11T22:42:45-04:00MSG Private RallyPoint Member1715009<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I just left Hawaii, best Duty station ever! I was in Shafter three years and one in JBPHH, absolutely loved it. Shafter is small and has no DFAC, but is very nice. Cost of living is high but COLA met my needs. Get a house in Hickman or in Town. Do not live in Ewa Beach!!! AMR gets lots of in an out traffic. Enjoy your stay, and the Salt Life, I miss it already.Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2016 8:20 PM2016-07-13T20:20:04-04:002016-07-13T20:20:04-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1864655<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I loved Hawaii it was the best assignment I had. I was stationed at Fort Shafter Flats. A lot of fun stuff to do. Plenty of water fun and hiking trails.Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2016 10:13 AM2016-09-05T10:13:55-04:002016-09-05T10:13:55-04:00MAJ Private RallyPoint Member5178499<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I went there TDY recently. Even being paid $150+ /day per-diem I could not wait to leave. The roads are EFFIN HORRIBLE, there are pot-holes that will eat your car, the cellphone network had such latency that the Map App did not function correctly. I got lost in Honolulu for a half a fucking day, the first day there. Absolutely craptastic. Have fun.Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2019 10:44 AM2019-10-29T10:44:44-04:002019-10-29T10:44:44-04:002016-07-03T21:23:26-04:00