PCS from Travis AFB to Oahu: The Air Force Family Guide

Writer: Ana-Maria Contis

Quick answer: To PCS from Travis AFB to Oahu, request your move in DPS the day orders arrive, call the Travis Airman and Family Readiness Center at 707-424-2486, start your pet's Hawaii clearance at least 3 months out, and report to the Hickam Military Housing Office within 72 hours of landing.

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

Request your move in the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) as soon as you have orders. Travis's transportation office says not to delay, and its household goods line is 707-424-2411. Then call the Airman and Family Readiness Center (Travis Military and Family Support Center, Bldg. 660) at 707-424-2486. It offers PCS planning consultations and pre-departure briefings, and Travis advises calling early for a first overseas move.

Keep essentials with you in case your shipment is delayed. If your move dates cause scheduling problems, talk with your chain of command about delayed reporting. If you will not ship a car, ask the transportation office about vehicle storage, because storage under the government contract can save you monthly costs.

Where will my Air Force family live at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam?

At JBPHH the Navy handles housing for both Pearl Harbor and Hickam. Report to the Hickam Military Housing Office (MHO) within 72 hours of arriving for housing and Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) guidance.

To apply for privatized on-base housing, complete a housing referral package and attend an MHO briefing. Virtual referral briefings open 30 days before your report date and run Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:00 AM and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 PM Hawaii time. If you are already at your command, book an in-person appointment. Contact the MHO at 808-312-0199 or 808-590-1402, or email jbphh_mho@us.navy.mil with the subject Request for Appointment: FIRST LAST, plus your rank, estimated arrival date and preferred times.

The housing page does not list waitlist times or off-base help, so ask the MHO about both before you commit to a lease. If you need temporary lodging, an Air Force newcomer guide advises getting a non-availability letter before booking a hotel so TLA covers it. Confirm current steps with the MHO. Travis also notes that early housing eligibility and extended government housing stays are handled through your military personnel office.

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

The Travis transportation office (707-424-2411) controls your shipment dates, so call it before you plan anything around a delivery. The Travis page does not say which port serves a Hawaii-bound car, so ask the office which port and what drop-off steps apply to your orders.

These rules apply to any government-paid car shipment. The government ships one personally owned vehicle (POV) on your orders, and a motorcycle or moped counts only if no four-wheeled vehicle ships on the same orders. 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. You and the port inspector sign a DD-788 form together, so note every scratch on it or a damage claim can be jeopardized. The Hawaii port holds your car for 45 days, and after that storage costs are yours. The government's maximum liability is $20,000 per vehicle.

On Oahu, an Air Force newcomer guide says to register your car at a Satellite City Hall within 30 days. You will need a current Hawaii safety inspection certificate, your shipping documents, your out-of-state registration and title, and proof of Hawaii insurance. Check current requirements before you go.

Household goods: Ocean shipping takes weeks. Keep your essentials with you and stay in touch with your mover on the booked dates. If a mover misses them, contact the transportation office and file an inconvenience claim.

How do I bring my dog or cat from Travis 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. Results can take 1 to 2 months, so start about 3 months before you fly.

Send your paperwork and payment to Hawaii 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, and pets that arrive at the facility after 3:30 PM are held overnight.

Travis adds one deadline for pets flying on military Patriot Express flights: make pet reservations through the transportation office when you book passenger seats, 90 to 120 days before departure. Space is first-come, first-served, families are limited to two pets, and you pay all pet travel costs. Ask the office whether your route uses that flight. Call the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity at 808-483-7151 to confirm your pet's plan.

Frequently asked questions about PCSing from Travis to Oahu

Who do I call first at Travis? The transportation office at 707-424-2411 for your move, and the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 707-424-2486 for planning and briefings.

How soon should I contact the Hickam housing office? Within 72 hours of arriving. You can also start a virtual referral briefing up to 30 days before your report date.

How long does it take to clear a pet for Hawaii? Plan about 3 months. The FAVN blood test can take 1 to 2 months to come back.

Does the military ship my car to Hawaii? Yes, one personally owned vehicle on your orders. Ask the Travis transportation office which port serves your move.

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.

Is there help paying for child care during a PCS? Travis lists a PCS child care benefit of $200 per child under 12, up to $1,000 per household. Apply within 60 days of leaving or arriving, and confirm the amount with the Family Readiness Center.

What should I do in my first weeks on Oahu?

Report to the Hickam Military Housing Office, finish in-processing with your unit, and register your car at Satellite City Hall within 30 days. Ask your sponsor about your unit's welcome packet, and give yourself grace, because 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 (Travis relocation assistance), Travis AFB newcomers page, Air Force housing (JBPHH), PACOM Air Force newcomer requirements, 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 Travis offices.