Living on Oahu: Windward Adventures
If you want to escape the city views and take on lush greenery and beautiful mountains then the Windward side of the island is for you. There are plenty of sights and things to do in the area, many which are family friendly. Enjoy the scenic route to Kualoa Regional Park and enjoy the day at the beach and kayak to Mokoli’I Island also know as Chinaman’s hat. This place offers great ocean and mountain views. You can also go for a hike at Crouching Lion. It tends to get muddy so be careful but the view from the top is so worth it. Overlooks Kahana Bay and it is beautiful! You can stop by Kahana Bay Beach Park and enjoy a day at the beach, find a beach swing and have some family fun or pack your things and go camping there. Plan ahead and stop by the 21 Degrees Estate for some events and tour of the Cacao Farm. They are famous for their Cacao and flow yoga with adorable miniature goats. If you want to take on a scenic flat road for a walk or bike ride visit Kawainui Marsh and see the wildlife like migrating birds, ducks, turtles… located in Kailua it is a great way to spend the day. Windward Oahu has many other spots to visit such as Likeke, Lulumahu Falls, Makapu’u Lighthouse trail, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Lanikai Beach, Kaneohe Sandbar & so much more. If you are looking for great places to eat or drink local check out our favorites: 1. Wahiahole Poi Factory Try some traditional Kalua pig and Laulau, Lomi Salmon and hand pounded Poi. 48-140 Kamehameha Hwy. Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744 2. Grace in Growlers Craft beer, flatbread and a great atmosphere that is kid and pet friendly. 143 Hekili St #110 Kailua, HI 96734 3. Adela’s Country Eatery Local dishes, known for the sweet potato and avocado noodles. 45-1151 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 4. Got’z Grindz Local musubi grab n go shop with other dishes available. Try their Japanese Curry, Chicken Kara’age, Noodles and dessert. 45-726 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744 5. Lanikai Brewing Company Enjoy their made to order pizza and craft beer and Hawaiian Wild Ales. 167 Hamakua Dr. Kailua, HI 96734 These are just a couple of our must-see Windward Oahu stops. Try these out, let us know what you think! As always be careful out there, never hike alone, be open to trying new food and here is to making awesome island memories!
Loaner Furniture
What happens when you arrive to your next duty station and your household goods are nowhere close to arriving? TLA is about to end since you finally found a home in the area that you love but now, how do you make it comfortable for the time being? Besides your unaccompanied baggage you have zero items to furnish your house with. So, what now? If you are stationed on Oahu there are services offered to Military families to make your PCS a bit better. The Military can offer your loaner furniture while you wait on your HHG to arrive for a period of time not to exceed 90 days. This entitlement applies to U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, accompanied and unaccompanied, who are entitled to a household goods (HHG) shipment. Exceptions or waivers due to mitigating circumstances may be approved by the local housing authority. Navy If you are Navy personnel your loaner furniture delivery can be arranged at your housing brief or at the Housing Services Center. You can also call DSN: (315) 474-1820/1821; COM: (808) 474-1820/1821 for more information. Navy Housing Service Center (for Navy Housing):Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., M-FLocation: 4825 Bougainville Drive, Building 2652Honolulu, Hawaii 96818-3174Contact Information: (808) 448-6887 Air Force If you are Air Force personnel your loaner furniture delivery can be arranged during your arrival housing briefing at the Hickam Housing Management Office, or you can call Tunista, the furnishings contractor, directly at DSN: (315) 448-0300; COM: (808) 448-0300. Hickam Housing Management Office (for Air Force Housing):Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., M-FLocation: 200 Kokomalei Street, Building 6500Honolulu, Hawaii 96818-5402Contact Information: (808) 448-6887 You can also receive temporary dishes and small appliances are available for from the Military and Family Support Center Loan Closet, located in Building 1105 at DSN: (315) 449-0319; COM: (808) 449-0319. Loan Closet hours of operation are Tues and Thurs, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm (Closed 11:00 a.m.-12 noon for lunch). During high PCS times, the loan closet experiences shortages. Please plan accordingly. Hickam Airman's Attic If you still need more items and would like to shop for inexpensive things the Airman’s Attic is a great option. The Airman’s Attic provides gently used or new items that will help Airmen set up house, however you have to be E-6 and below to use the attic and sign up before shopping. Kuntz AvenueJBPHH, HI 96853(808) 449-5677Facebook: Hickam Airman's Attic Due to covid restrictions please call ahead for hours. If you need more options you can always visit the thrift shops on base to help you furnish your home for the time you wait for your HHG. The Hickam Thrift Shop https://hickamosc.wildapricot.org/thriftshop?fbclid=IwAR00rnWziM7a2rQ64Qt0-f2M73CGYQcT90V5G1Ip_uU-3nu2hGVdg0yq2Js The Navy-Marine Corps Relieve Society Thrift Store https://www.nmcrs.org/locations/entry/pearl-harbor Army Fort Shafter Thrift Store http://www.fortshafterhui.com/thrift-shop.html?fbclid=IwAR06Z7BsAMOsEImLp9fBD3va9Sa-a45NpH7ROLbzr2_eCI-7xIZqZdQ4eNw Schofield Barracks Thrift Store http://www.schofieldspousesclub.com/thrift-shop.html We hope these help you while you wait for your HHG to arrive on island. We understand how uncomfortable the process can be!
Military Spouses & Work Opportunities
Many Military Spouses find themselves placing their careers on hold every time pcs season comes around. It can be very tough to leave behind a career you love every 3 years or so due to your service member’s Military career. This situation can lead to stress, anxiety, arguments, financial instability and many other things that can affect your lifestyle. There are resources available to Military Spouses when it comes to finding a job opportunity while being part of the Military lifestyle. Now a days many jobs are very aware of how Military spouses are able to tackle work efficiently while working remotely from a different duty station and this has become such a big step into allowing Spouses to keep a job after moving. If you are looking into a Federal Job then USAJobs is the platform to use when applying for a job. As a Military Spouse you can go through the application process without the hiring process competition as long as you are eligible. You are eligible if: You are a spouse of an active-duty member of the armed forces. You are a spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury. You are a spouse of a service member killed while on active duty. Not because you meet the eligibility means you are hired, background checks and application for the specific job are required and qualifications must be met. It is good to start the search for a job before your move to see what is out there before your pcs. Also, to go through the process of finding child care if needed. Some jobs might even work with you if they know a possible arrival date. To learn more visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/ The Military Spouse Employment Partnership with the Department of Defense is an employment and career partnership, connecting military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in portable careers. The MSEP job search allows military spouses to find jobs with MSEP partners. You can search for a job based on keywords, locations or field. https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/msep/jobsearch There are multiple jobs that are always looking to hire Military Spouses or Veterans. Some of them include Amazon and Starbucks. Whether you are looking for a full-time position or a part-time job to earn side income the options vary on all sorts of field. Here are some of the top employers that allow working remotely or within a location close to you. Amazon Jobs offers a variety of remote job positions for Military related future employees. Whether you are coming to Hawaii and want to work remotely or are pcsing to a location where they have an opening. https://www.amazon.jobs/es/military Tutor.com offers positions to tutor students and work remotely. Their students range from Kindergarten to college and adult level. Work according to your own schedule and log on when available. https://www.tutor.com/apply Hilton Hotels is are always hiring Military Spouses and Veterans to work customer service remotely. They have hired over 30,000 Military dependents and Veterans in the last 6 years. If you do not want to work from home they also hire for their locations. https://jobs.hilton.com/us/en/military-hiring VIPKID is another great remote work platform if you have teaching experience or have been volunteering around children is. Teach English online on your own schedule. Sign up for an account then answer a basic questionnaire on your experience. https://www.vipkid.com/teach/ Starbucks is also a great company that is always looking to hire Military Spouses and Veterans. Some Bases have a Starbucks location and some located around Military bases are always looking to hire Spouses. It is also a job that moves with you. They also have wonderful perks and education benefits. https://www.starbucks.com/careers/find-a-job/retail You can also check out your local MWR, Family readiness centers, NEX, Commissaries, arts and crafts centers, gyms and more. These jobs are always opening positions during pcs season. We hope the links above help you find a job you will love and that will work with you throughout your Military lifestyle. You can also visit the Spouse Education & Career opportunities website to learn more on everything you can do to maximize your hiring chances. https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/content/general/72
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