PCS from MCAS Miramar to Oahu: The Complete Military Family Guide

Writer: Ana-Maria Contis

Quick answer: To PCS from MCAS Miramar (San Diego) to Oahu, ask your Personal Property Office for counseling the day orders arrive, submit your housing application (DD 1746) the same week, start your pet's Hawaii rabies clearance at least 3 months before you fly, and drop your car at the port. Check in with the housing office before you rent, lease or buy.

What should I do first after getting orders from Miramar to Hawaii?

Contact your sponsor and book counseling with your Personal Property Office. Ask for your pickup, delivery and storage options in writing. In the same week, submit your advance housing application (DD 1746) to the housing office at your new base. MCB Hawaii accepts it by fax or mail, and it can take up to 10 working days to enter the system. Hawaii's housing office also advises storing extra furniture and cold-weather clothing on the mainland before you move.

Where will my family live on Oahu, on base or off base?

On base: At Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay), family housing is run by the MCBH Family Housing Department and Hunt Residential Management (Ohana Military Communities). Military OneSource lists about 2,000 units, and there is a waiting list for government quarters. Single Marines are assigned to bachelor quarters through their unit. If anyone in your family is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, call the housing office before you move at 808-496-1257.

Off base: Rentals are limited and expensive. Military OneSource puts median rent around $3,000 for a one-bedroom and $5,600 for a three-bedroom. Register with the base Housing Office before you negotiate any lease, and use its Housing Referral Office for rental lists and tenant or landlord disputes.

Buying: Many military families use their VA loan on Oahu, and nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made with no down payment, according to VA.gov. Buying makes the most sense when you expect to stay several years.

Your pay: Your housing allowance (BAH) and Hawaii cost-of-living allowance (COLA) depend on your rank, dependents and location. Look up your exact rate on the DoD BAH calculator before you sign anything.

Important: Check in with the Family Housing Office promptly after you arrive and before you rent, lease or buy. Families who skip this can lose their Temporary Lodging Allowance.

How do I ship my car and household goods from San Diego to Hawaii?

The government ships one personally owned vehicle (POV) on your orders. A motorcycle or moped counts only if no four-wheeled vehicle ships on the same orders. Your Personal Property counselor will tell you which port serves your move. Bring proof of ownership or registration and a copy of your orders. A leased car needs the leasing company's written permission, and a financed car needs lienholder authorization. At drop-off, you and the port inspector sign a DD-788 form together, so note every scratch on it or a damage claim can be jeopardized. Arrive at least one hour before the port closes. Vehicles over 20 measurement tons cost extra (length times height times width in feet, divided by 40). The port in Hawaii holds your car for 45 days, and after that storage costs are yours. The government's maximum liability is $20,000 per vehicle, and you can track your car at pcsmypov.com.

Household goods: Your counselor will set pickup and delivery dates, and ocean shipping takes weeks. Ask about an unaccompanied baggage shipment for the essentials you need on day one, and plan for a gap in which you live out of suitcases.

How do I bring my dog or cat to Hawaii?

Hawaii is rabies-free, so dogs and cats must meet strict rules to avoid a long quarantine. Your pet needs two rabies vaccinations, with the most recent at least 30 days before arrival, and a passing FAVN rabies blood test at an approved lab, also at least 30 days before arrival. List HAWAII as the destination on the test. Results can take 1 to 2 months, so start about 3 months before you fly. Send your paperwork and payment no less than 10 days before arrival. The 5-Day-or-Less program costs $244, and Direct Airport Release in Honolulu costs $185 ($244 if your paperwork is late). Honolulu inspection runs 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Arrive at the facility by 3:30 PM, because later arrivals are held overnight. Call the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity at 808-483-7151 to confirm your pet's plan, and check your airline's pet rules too.

Frequently asked questions about PCSing from Miramar to Oahu

Does the military ship a car to Hawaii? Yes. The government ships one personally owned vehicle on your orders. You pay for excess size or storage beyond 45 days at the Hawaii port.

How long does it take to clear a pet for Hawaii? Plan on about 3 months. The FAVN blood test can take 1 to 2 months to come back, and you need at least 30 days after the test and after the last rabies shot before arrival.

Can I use a VA loan to buy a home on Oahu? Yes. VA-backed loans are available in Hawaii, and nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made with no down payment, according to VA.gov.

Will I get a housing allowance in Hawaii? Eligible service members receive BAH, and Hawaii also has a cost-of-living allowance (COLA). Amounts depend on rank, dependents and location, so use the DoD BAH calculator for your exact rate.

When should I check in with the housing office? Promptly after you arrive, and before you rent, lease or buy anything. Skipping this can cost you your Temporary Lodging Allowance.

What should I do in my first weeks on Oahu?

Check in with the housing office first. Its hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and Wednesday 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Pick up your car from the port within 45 days, and ask the county about Hawaii vehicle safety inspection and registration. Ask your sponsor for the unit's welcome packet and school contacts. Give yourself grace: island time is real, and the first month is mostly paperwork.

What is the one part of your move to Oahu you feel least sure about? Message us and we will point you to the right office, the right form or the right neighborhood.

Ana-Maria Contis (B)

Coastal Homes & Estates, brokered by eXp Realty

808-800-7821

Tim Steers, HI RS8528 | Ana-Maria Contis, HI RB-22216, CA BRE 01451012

Sources: Military OneSource (MCB Hawaii housing), Naval Postgraduate School (POV shipment information), Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (animal quarantine), VA.gov (home loans). Details change, so confirm each step with your Personal Property Office.