PCSing to Hawaii: Mikaila’s Story

Getting Orders & Giving Notice

My husband, who is Navy, received orders in January 2024 for shore duty on Oahu. We were thrilled about the adventure ahead, but it was bittersweet leaving our life and friends in Silverdale, WA.

As soon as we had hard orders in hand (around February–March), we gave notice at our apartment complex and I let my job know. I also started researching what needed to be done for our cat and our cars.

Lesson learned: give your landlord plenty of notice once you know your leave date—it helps everyone prepare.

What We Learned About Shipping Cars

We decided not to ship our vehicles, but I learned a lot during the process:

• If your car is financed, you need a letter from the bank before shipment.

• The car must be in great shape—no dead batteries, mechanical issues, illegal tints, or stickers.

• It has to be detailed, emptied of gas, and every dent or scratch should be photographed.

• Any cracks or chips in windows must be repaired first.

Even though we didn’t ship a car, knowing this in advance saved us from surprises.

Moving Our Cat

Hawaii has very strict rules about bringing pets, so I followed the Hawaii Department of Agriculture Quarantine Information page step by step.

Our cat flew in-cabin with us for $100, but we had to call the airline well in advance to confirm he was listed on our reservation. I can’t stress enough—double check this early, because you don’t want surprises at the airport.

Preparing for the Move

By April, my husband set up our move with the military-provided movers and created an MCC (Military Child Care) account to get on the CDC and FCC waitlists. The movers’ website asked for every detail—house size, storage unit addresses, weights of items. Thankfully, they picked up from both our apartment and our storage unit, which made things easier.

When our flight itinerary came in, tickets were provided for all three of us—my husband, our two-year-old, and me. We were allowed five bags each (15 total!) at no extra cost, aside from the $100 for the cat.

PCS tip: I kept every single receipt—from hotels to meals—in a Ziploc bag in my purse. It made filing for reimbursement with my husband’s new command so much easier.

Arrival in Hawaii

We landed in Honolulu in early June 2024, right in the middle of RIMPAC. That meant hotel options were limited, so we stayed in three different on-base hotels before moving into housing. Honestly, each hotel was better than the last. We chose to stay on base so my husband could bike to work.

We rented a car at first, then bought one within the first week.

At our first housing office appointment, we were shown three options, but none were in the neighborhood we wanted. When we asked, we were offered a home there that would be available by mid-July. We accepted and waited it out in the hotel until then.

Our household goods arrived in mid-to-late August. Everything came in one piece and was unpacked without any issues—definitely a relief!

The Hardest Part

For us, the hardest part of the PCS wasn’t the logistics—it was saying goodbye to family and friends in Washington. Once we were here, though, we made the most of it by spending afternoons at the beach, exploring the island, and finding a new rhythm as a family.

Looking Back

Overall, our PCS to Hawaii was laid-back and surprisingly easy. Staying organized, asking for the housing we wanted, and doing research ahead of time made all the difference.

If you’re about to PCS here, my advice is simple:

• Stay organized and keep your receipts.

• Ask questions and don’t be afraid to request what you want in housing.

• Remember to enjoy the process—you’re moving to one of the most beautiful places in the world!
  
  

Over a year later, we still have so much left to explore, not only on Oahu but also the neighboring islands. This duty station has already given us incredible experiences, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.