FORT SHAFTER
ARMY
Honolulu, HI
United States
FORT SHAFTER
ARMY
Honolulu, HI
United States
Fort Shafter
Base Essentials
Headquarters of U.S. Army Pacific on the island of Oahu — an OCONUS posting in Honolulu with Hawaii's extraordinary lifestyle, higher COL, and unique PCS logistics for vehicles and pets.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
USARPAC
Status
Active
Est.
1907
Acres
140
Active Duty
2,000
Civilian
1,500
Population
1,000,000
Economic Impact
—
Fort Shafter History
Named AfterMajor General William Rufus Shafter
Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii, was established in 1907 and is the oldest U.S. military installation in Hawaii. It serves as the headquarters of U.S. Army Pacific, the Army's service component command for the Indo-Pacific theater. The historic Palm Circle buildings have been in continuous military use for over a century. Fort Shafter's role has taken on increased importance as the military focuses on great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
U.S. Army Pacific (HQ)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1907
Fort Shafter Opens on Hawaiian Crown Lands
1921
Hawaiian Department HQ Established Here
1941
Command Hub During Pearl Harbor Attack
1947
Headquarters Redesignated U.S. Army Pacific
—
View Key Moments
(4)
1907
Fort Shafter Opens on Hawaiian Crown Lands
Construction began in 1905 and Fort Shafter officially opened in 1907 on former Hawaiian crown lands, named for Major General William Rufus Shafter who commanded the U.S. expedition to Cuba in 1898.
1921
Hawaiian Department HQ Established Here
The Hawaiian Department — the senior Army command in the Pacific — established its permanent headquarters at Fort Shafter in 1921, making it the nerve center for all U.S. Army operations across the Hawaiian Islands.
1941
Command Hub During Pearl Harbor Attack
Fort Shafter served as the command headquarters for Lieutenant General Walter C. Short during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The post coordinated the U.S. military response in the Pacific in the months that followed.
1947
Headquarters Redesignated U.S. Army Pacific
In 1947, the wartime Pacific headquarters was redesignated U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC), consolidating Army command authority for the entire Asia-Pacific region at Fort Shafter, where it remains today.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Shafter.
Fort Shafter Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Shafter.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fort Shafter.
Information
The Military Apartments Hawaii Offers Are Perfect for Service Members
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Information
19 of the Best Fort Shafter Restaurants
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Information
17 Of the Best Fort Shafter Things to Do
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Information
Fort Shafter: In-Depth Welcome Center (2021 Edition)
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Information
Fort Shafter Housing: 19 On-Base Options
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Shafter.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
U.S. Army Hawaii Reception Company — Airport Liaison / Schofield Barracks Office
Phone
(808) 469-5332Hours
Main Office (Bldg 750): Mon–Fri, 0900–1600 | Airport Desk: Daily, 1100–2300 | Barracks (Bldg 1020): 24/7
In-Processing
All active-duty Soldiers arriving in Hawaii must immediately report to the U.S. Army Hawaii Reception Company airport liaison desk at Baggage Claim 19, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The airport desk (phone: (808) 859-5784) is staffed daily 1100–2300. Soldiers must bring copies of orders, leave form, POV shipment documentation, and flight itinerary listing all dependents.
The Reception Company's main office is at Building 750 (Soldiers' Support Center), 673 Ayres Avenue, Schofield Barracks (Mon–Fri, 0900–1600). All Soldiers arriving and departing Hawaii must complete a virtual Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) briefing upon arrival. Fort Shafter specifically hosts USARPAC headquarters; personnel assigned to Fort Shafter units should confirm unit reporting locations with their gaining S1.
A Community Readiness Expo is held every Thursday from 0900–1100 at the 604 Banquet Center, Schofield Barracks, covering community resources and programs. The "Move with Aloha" guide produced by ACS is available for download before your move and provides comprehensive pre-arrival guidance.
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Open PCS Entitlements Estimator
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fort Shafter.
Fort Shafter is the headquarters of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and is located in Honolulu, adjacent to the Halawa neighborhood. On-post family housing is managed by Ohana Military Communities, the privatized housing partnership for Army installations on Oahu. Due to the installation's mission focus and limited footprint, on-post housing inventory is scarce — most U…
Local Market
$3,300/mo
rent
/
$950,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Shafter
185
85% Above National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Shafter.
School Liaison Officer
Army School Liaison Office
3
High Schools
View schools
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fort Shafter is one of two major Army posts on Oahu (the other being Schofield Barracks), located in Honolulu's Moanalua Valley near Pearl Harbor. It serves as Headquarters, U.S. Army Pacific. Families navigate Hawaii's high cost of living and traffic congestion, but are rewarded with some of the world's most spectacular natural scenery and a uniquely multicultural community.
Aiea / Pearl City
Suburban
The communities of Aiea and Pearl City in central Oahu are popular with Fort Shafter families for their proximity to both Shafter and Pearl Harbor, reasonable (by Oahu standards) housing costs, and established neighborhoods. HIDOE schools in the Aiea and Pearl City High School zones are solid. H-1 freeway access is critical — traffic management is the primary daily challenge.
Commute: 18 min
Schools: Hawaii Department of Education (Aiea HS zone)
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Mid-Oahu location convenient to multiple posts, established neighborhoods, Pearl Harbor area job cluster
Moanalua / Salt Lake
Urban
The closest residential neighborhoods to Fort Shafter's main entrance, Moanalua and Salt Lake are well-established Honolulu neighborhoods with a large Asian-American community and strong HIDOE schools in the Moanalua High zone. Housing is high-rise and mid-rise heavy, reflecting Honolulu's urban density. The commute to Shafter is very short, and downtown Honolulu is accessible without the freeway.
Commute: 8 min
Schools: Hawaii Department of Education (Moanalua HS zone)
Single service members
Dual military
Families with kids
Shortest commute to Shafter off post, urban amenities, walkable neighborhood character, competitive HIDOE schools
Ewa Beach / Kapolei
Suburban
For families willing to brave the H-1 commute (30–45 minutes each way), the Ewa Beach and Kapolei corridor on Oahu's west side offers newer homes, more square footage, and a rapidly growing community feel. Campbell High School zone HIDOE schools serve the area. Weekend beach access on the west side is exceptional, with Ko Olina resort and Kahe Beach nearby.
Commute: 40 min
Schools: Hawaii Department of Education (Campbell HS zone)
Families with kids
Pet owners
Outdoorsy types
Most space for the money on Oahu, west-side beach access, newest housing stock, longer H-1 commute
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Shafter.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Partially exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Hawaii taxes active duty military pay for Hawaii legal residents. Hawaii provides a compensation exclusion for active du…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Hawaii for Hawaii income tax purposes. A qualify…
Vehicle Registration
Hawaii charges annual vehicle registration fees and a county weight tax. Military members who maintain an out-of-state d…
Property Tax
Hawaii has low property tax RATES, but extremely high property values — making the actual tax dollar amount significant…
Pet Policies at Fort Shafter
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Shafter.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Shafter.
Commissary
1
Schofield Barracks Commissary (nearest to Fort Shafter)
Exchange
PX
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sat–Sun 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Medical
1
Tripler Army Medical Center — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Shafter.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Buckner Gate (Main Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Fort Shafter.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Fort Shafter.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.