Fort Shafter is a charming base in the center of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The installation’s history dates back to 1907, and it is currently home to the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). At the center of the base, the postcard worthy Palm Circle is a designated National Historic Landmark. It was originally laid out as an infantry cantonment area, but Fort Shafter has grown up around the palm-lined parade field. Fort Shafter is very close to Honolulu, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Tripler Army Medical Center.

If you’ve received orders for Fort Shafter – congratulations! Pack away your winter clothes and stock up on beachwear because paradise awaits. The island can be intimidating, but the good news is that it’s HAWAII and incredible places to live are plentiful. On post housing is in high demand and it’s not uncommon to be on a waiting list for anywhere from a few weeks to several months. There is typically a healthy supply of short term and vacation rentals available for this very reason. There is also consistent property appreciation on the island so it’s not a terrible idea to go ahead and invest in a home. If you’ll be here a few years, plan to rent it out when you PCS again, or think you may return in retirement, it’s a good idea to look into purchasing a home