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Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI, stretches from Ford Island to the shores of Kamehameha Beach.
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
Denise Sloan
As I walked out to the open breezeway that led to the baggage claim, the sweet smell of plumeria, pikake and ohia filled the air. I screeched to a halt and just breathed in the amazing scents. I was back in my happy place, Hawaii.
I first visited Hawaii on my honeymoon. I loved it and hoped one day we’d be stationed on Oahu. Six years later, I got my wish when my husband received a joint assignment at what was then Naval Base Pearl Harbor, now called Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH). The Army was paying us to live in paradise. Mind blown!
Granted, our first OCONUS move made the journey from Georgia to Hawaii a little intimidating. But the reward of Oahu at the end made it all worthwhile. This time, a multi-year assignment gave me plenty of time to explore all Hawaii had to offer. I loved what I found!
Shopping and Travel Tips
Before we jump into the “tour” part of the story, I learned a few shopping and travel tips during my time on the island. The naval side of JBPHH has the biggest Naval Exchange (NEX) I’ve ever seen! It looked more like a civilian shopping mall with two floors of the Exchange, a huge food court, amazing whale murals, a framing store and a plethora of smaller shops. I found a lot of great things here from clothes to Hawaiian-themed gifts and decor. Bonus, a giant commissary was right next door.
The ITT (Information, Tickets and Travel) office at the NEX helped make exploring Oahu more affordable. Each service had a slightly different name for this office. For example, the Coast Guard called theirs Tickets & Travel.
Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures
The imposing cliffs on Molokai create jaw-dropping scenery.
Anyway, at ITT I found all sorts of discounts to local attractions and activities as well as special events on all of the Islands. In fact, I took a trip organized by ITT to Kalaupapa National Historic Site on Molokai.
Incidentally, White Plains Beach and the NEX Fleet Store on Pearl Harbor Boulevard also had ITT offices. Plus I regularly checked to see what Ft. Shafter, Schofield Barracks and Marine Corps Base Hawaii offered. They often had different packages or trips.
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Joint Base Pearl Harbor-HIckam is located in historic Pearl Harbor.
My husband and I found the NEX complex on our own, but my friends turned me on to another fun shopping adventure at Boutiki near Scott Pool. Boutiki carried Hawaiian themed gifts and decor. The best part? The non-profit shop donated money back to the military community. They’re located at 640 Club Road. Check their Facebook page for current hours and directions.
Not too far away from Boutiki, the Dolphin Store was another non-profit that used sales of submarine, Navy and Hawaiian-theme items to support military spouse educational scholarships. The shop is at Building 661, Morton Street, near the submarine piers. Check their website for current hours and directions.
That wraps up some shopping and travel tips for JBPHH. Let’s get the “tour” part of the story going.
Dive into History
As a history buff, I loved being stationed at JBPHH. Service members and dependents get to access historic parts of the base that most civilians would love to explore independently, but can’t. I loved the freedom I had to explore a pivotal moment in American history, the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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The long Admiral Cleary Bridge leads from Oahu to Ford Island.
The Japanese inflicted a great deal of destruction on the naval fleet during the historic December 7, 1941 strike. But Ford Island, located across the harbor from the national memorial and part of JBPHH, also tells part of the story from that dreadful day. I got to explore it on my own because of my military ID.
I wrote a whole article detailing what to see around Pearl Harbor, including Ford Island. Check it out at Exploring the Attack on Pearl Harbor" Pt. 1 and Pt. 2. Needless to say, take advantage of the opportunity to explore history first hand and to walk in the footsteps of the Greatest Generation while you’re stationed at JBPHH.
Into the Wild Blue Yonder
Over on the Air Force side of JBPHH, I found even more interesting history. I discovered the iconic Freedom Tower by Manzelman Circle. It was actually a cleverly disguised water tower built in 1938. In 1950 during the 50th anniversary celebration of Hickam Air Force Base, officials named it the Freedom Tower. The name honors those currently serving and those who died in service to the country.
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The Freedom Tower honors all who’ve served their country.
A short drive down Julian Avenue took me to the Wright Brothers Cafe. I loved it not only for the food, but the view too. Diners like me enjoyed eating on the patio so we could watch the ships and submarines pass by on their way out to sea.
Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures
Our dogs loved frolicking in the shallow waters of Kamehameha Beach.
A hidden gem tucked tucked away on the southwest corner of Hickam just off Mamala Bay Drive provided hours of beach fun and exploration. Everyone, including us, called it dog beach because it was one of the few beaches that allowed off-leash dogs (well behaved, of course). I think it’s actual name is Kamehameha Beach.
Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures
A submarine passes people enjoying Kamehameha Beach.
When the tide went out, the entire area turned in to a shallow, watery playground that stretched out to the mangroves. My dogs loved romping in the water and we saw plenty of children enjoying the shallow and calm waters too. Bonus, we got to watch the ships, submarines and airplanes that passed by our ocean playground.
Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures
World War I coastal defenses like Battery Hawkins dot the shores of Oahu.
Once we’d finished in the water, we loved exploring the Battery Hawkins, a World War I coastal defense built in 1914. The coastal guns never actually fired upon any enemies. After World War II, these defenses were abandoned, but still remain all around Oahu.
Just beyond the battery, the Fort Kamehameha Historic Housing District beckons to explorers. In 1916 the Army built these quaint cottages along the shore. The military abandoned these homes gradually around 2008 because of the proximity to the flight line and the noise level from the Honolulu Airport.
Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures
Historic cottages still remain in part of the old and abandoned Fort Kamehameha.
It was a bit eerie walking along the empty streets, but neat to step back in time. I’ve heard the military may be auctioning off these homes now, so I’m not sure how accessible the area actually is today.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of Fort Kamehameha and Hickam Air Force Base during World War II, I’d recommend the “Walking Tour of Hickam”. This wasn’t available while we were stationed on Oahu, but it gets high marks from reviewers. It includes a lunch and is available on Fridays. For more information, visit Great Life Hawaii.
Finally, Hickam Beach just a little farther down Mamala Bay Drive, offered a beach with lifeguards, the surf shack where you could rent beach gear & learn to surf as well as pavilions that could be rented.
MWR Recreation Areas
One last tip. Make sure you explore the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) areas on the Islands. With a Department Of War ID, active duty, retirees and DOW employees can book stays for a vacation or pop over for a nice day out.
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Turqoise waters and unique islands make a stunning view from Bellows Beach.
On Oahu, check out Bellows Air Force Station on the windward side of the island and Pillau Army Reservation on the leeward side.
Denise Sloan/PCS Adventures
The Hale Koa provides the military community a variety of amenities for great prices right in the heart of Waikiki.
The Hale Koa Resort in Waikiki offfers restaurants, a salon, spa treatments and its own ITT office. Active duty, retirees and DOW employees can visit the restaurants and use the services even if they aren’t staying at the hotel.
If you visit Kauai or the Big Island, make sure to check out Navy Getaways Barking Sands and Kilauea Military Camp.
That wraps up my JBPHH adventures. Looking for information on things to do off base? Check out my other Hawaii articles like the Hiking Oahu, Exploring the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Pt. 1and Pt. 2.