Moving to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
JBPHH combines Navy Pearl Harbor, which supports ships and submarines, with Hickam Field, home of Pacific Air Forces and the 15th Wing. More than 160 commands are based here, making it one of the busiest joint bases anywhere, set on the island of Oahu with high living costs and a unique island lifestyle.
| Branch | Joint (Navy/Air Force) |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Honolulu, HI |
| Population served | Hickam supports over 12,000 airmen; Pearl Harbor hosts more than 160 commands |
| Airports | Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL), minutes from the base |
| Climate | Tropical, warm year round with a rainy winter season; hurricane season runs through autumn |
| Cost of living | Among the highest in the nation; housing and groceries cost substantially more than the US average |
| On-base housing | Government and privatized housing; contact the Navy and Air Force housing offices for current availability |
| Medical care | Tripler Army Medical Center and base clinics; check TRICARE for details |
| Family support center | Military and Family Support Center (Navy), 4827 Bougainville Drive, 808-474-1999 |
Where families live
On-base and Navy/Air Force housing areas
Government and privatized homes; waitlists can be long and rank often determines options.
Aiea
Close to Pearl Harbor with older condos and town homes.
Pearl City
Established suburb with shops and bus access.
Ewa Beach / Kapolei
Newer homes and larger floor plans on the west side at lower prices, but with notorious H-1 traffic.
Honolulu
Urban high-rise living with the most amenities and the highest rents.
Schools
Hawaii has a single statewide public school system, the Hawaii Department of Education, and DoDEA Hawaii also operates schools on military installations on Oahu. Enrollment depends on your housing address, so contact the School Liaison Office before choosing where to live.
- Hawaii State Department of Education — Statewide public school system serving off-base families.
- DoDEA Hawaii District — Operates schools on military installations on Oahu.
On the installation: DoDEA schools on Oahu installations; confirm current school assignment by housing area
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam School Liaison Office through the Military and Family Support Center (808-474-1999).
Things to do near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS ArizonamuseumHistoric memorial and museum on the harbor.
- Battleship Missouri MemorialmuseumTour the ship where WWII ended.
- Diamond Head hikeoutdoorsPopular crater hike with panoramic views.
- Waikiki BeachoutdoorsSurf lessons and beach time.
- North Shoreday-tripSurf spots and shrimp trucks on Oahu's north coast.
- Kailua and Lanikai beachesoutdoorsCalm beaches on the windward side.
- Local plate lunch and food trucksfoodHawaii comfort food across the island.
Realtors & local services
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Local programs & support
- Military OneSource: JBPHH installation guideOfficial overview of housing, schools and health care for incoming families.
- JBPHH Straight Talk LineRecorded hurricane and emergency updates for the installation (808-421-4000).
PCS tips for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
- Contact the housing office as soon as you have orders; waitlists are long and off-base rent is very high.
- Hawaii's quarantine and rabies rules apply to pets; start the pet import process months ahead.
- Household goods often take longer to arrive by ship, so pack an extended survival kit.
- Plan for hurricane season: Child Development Centers close when the base reaches Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 2.
- H-1 freeway traffic is heavy; test your commute before choosing a home.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Alaska & Hawaii
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.