Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (near Tripler Army Medical Center and Salt Lake area)
Installation Type: Army Garrison / Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Shafter is the oldest active U.S. Army installation in Hawaii, established in 1907 and named after Major General William Rufus Shafter. Located on the outskirts of Honolulu near the Moanalua Valley, Fort Shafter serves as the headquarters for U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), the Army’s largest theater-level command, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command Pacific. During World War II, Fort Shafter housed the operations center from which General Walter Short commanded during the attack on Pearl Harbor; the historic “Little Makalapa” building (Palm Circle) remains on post. Today, Fort Shafter functions primarily as a command and headquarters installation rather than a maneuver unit base.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Serve as the headquarters installation for U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), providing command, control, and coordination of Army forces across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.
• Major Units:
• U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) — Theater Army Headquarters; the Army’s largest geographic command
• U.S. Army Special Operations Command Pacific (USASOCOM-P) — elements
• U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) — Pacific Region
• 45th Sustainment Brigade (elements)
• U.S. Army Reserve Command — Hawaii elements
• Tenant Units: Defense agencies; Army Staff support elements; Joint Intelligence Support Element — Pacific; other headquarters-level commands with Pacific equities

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Honolulu, Hawaii (installation is within the greater Honolulu area, approximately 5 miles from downtown Honolulu)
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), approximately 5 miles west
• Gate Access: Main gate on Krukowski Road; valid CAC, Uniformed Services ID, or visitor pass required. Visitor Control Center issues day passes. Real ID-compliant identification required for unescorted civilian access. Given the presence of a theater-level headquarters, access control is strict.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,000–5,000 (primarily staff and headquarters-level personnel)
• Family Members: Approximately 3,000–5,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500–2,500 (significant civilian workforce supporting USARPAC headquarters functions)
• Total Installation Population: Not publicly available; smaller footprint focused on headquarters mission

Key Facilities

• Medical: Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) is the primary military hospital, located immediately adjacent to Fort Shafter on Moanalua Ridge; provides full inpatient and specialty care, Level II trauma, behavioral health, oncology, dental, and pharmacy. Tripler is one of the largest military hospitals in the Pacific and is visible for miles due to its distinctive pink color.
• Commissary: Yes — Fort Shafter has a commissary on post; Schofield Barracks commissary (approximately 20 miles away) is a larger option frequently used by Fort Shafter families.
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) on post; Tripler Army Medical Center Exchange is also conveniently adjacent. Schofield Barracks main exchange is a larger alternative.
• Fitness & Recreation: Physical Fitness Centers on post; access to Tripler’s recreation facilities; Fort DeRussy Recreation Center (Waikiki beachfront — a premier MWR facility operated by the Army in the heart of Waikiki); Fort Shafter has a small golf and recreation area; MWR outdoor recreation programs.
• Schools: No DoDEA school on Fort Shafter itself; DoDEA Hawaii District schools at nearby Shafter Elementary and other installations serve families. Hawaii Department of Education public schools serve the Honolulu area.
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on or near Fort Shafter; demand is very high across all Hawaii Army installations — waitlists are common; early contact with CDC upon receipt of orders is essential.
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility services are available through Tripler Army Medical Center or the Schofield Barracks Veterinary Clinic; preventive care, vaccinations, annual exams, and health certificates provided. Note: Hawaii’s strict animal quarantine requirements must be initiated 120+ days before arrival for most pets.
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Shafter provides legal assistance to active duty personnel and their dependents; given the USARPAC mission, the JAG office handles a range of issues including international and SOFA matters; appointments required.

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Ohana Military Communities (verify current management with housing office); on-post housing at Fort Shafter is very limited given the installation’s small footprint and headquarters focus; Palm Circle historic officer housing is a notable landmark; most families live off-post or at Schofield Barracks.
• Average Wait Time: On-post housing at Fort Shafter itself is extremely limited; families are typically referred to Schofield Barracks, Aliamanu Military Reservation (AMR), or Red Hill housing areas. Wait times across Hawaii Army housing are 3-18 months.
• Off-Post Housing: Fort Shafter’s Honolulu location means proximity to some of Oahu’s most expensive neighborhoods. Popular communities include Salt Lake, Aiea, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, and Kapolei. Average rent for 2-3 bedroom homes ranges from approximately $2,600–$4,000/month in the Honolulu area; Ewa Beach and Kapolei offer slightly lower rates of $2,400–$3,600/month.
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. Hawaii BAH rates are among the highest in the nation.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit S1 or headquarters element; Army Community Service (ACS) provides newcomer orientation and sponsor coordination.
• In-Processing: Report to the Fort Shafter Installation In-Processing Center; plan for 2-4 business days for headquarters-assigned personnel; separate in-processing requirements may apply for USARPAC-specific clearance and access management. Note: Hawaii-specific PCS requirements include vehicle shipping coordination and pet quarantine planning.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment managed through Army Community Service at Fort Shafter; medical screening through Tripler Army Medical Center; Hawaii Department of Education provides special education services for EFMP families. Contact ACS at (808) 438-8810 (verify current number).

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Tropical with consistent trade winds; warm year-round with temperatures between 72 and 87 degrees Fahrenheit; Fort Shafter’s Honolulu location provides a slightly drier climate than the windward (northeast) side of Oahu; rainy season is November through March.
• Cost of Living: Very High — Fort Shafter’s Honolulu location places families in one of the most expensive metros in the nation. All consumer goods, housing, and dining are significantly above national averages.
• Nearby Attractions: Pearl Harbor National Memorial (approximately 8 miles west — the USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri); Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument (approximately 7 miles east); Aloha Stadium swap meet; Bishop Museum; Iolani Palace; North Shore of Oahu (approximately 30 miles north).
• Spouse Employment: Honolulu’s job market is larger than the rest of Hawaii but still limited relative to the mainland; government, military support, healthcare, tourism, and retail are primary sectors. The USARPAC headquarters draws many dual-military couples. Hawaii has military spouse licensing reciprocity provisions. Remote work is increasingly important.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/shafter
• Main Installation Phone: (808) 438-1110
• MWR Website: https://shafter.armymwr.com
• ACS / Army Community Service: Fort Shafter Army Community Service; Building T-102, Flagler Road; (808) 438-8810 (verify current number)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army official installation page (home.army.mil/shafter); U.S. Army Pacific (usarpac.army.mil); Tripler Army Medical Center; DoDEA Hawaii District; Ohana Military Communities; general knowledge of installation as of August 2025, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law