Branch: U.S. Coast Guard
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Installation Type: Coast Guard Base
Status: Active

Overview

Coast Guard Base Honolulu is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Sand Island near the entrance to Honolulu Harbor. The installation serves as the home port for Coast Guard cutters operating in the central Pacific Ocean and provides support for Sector Honolulu, which is responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection across approximately 14 million square miles of ocean – the largest sector in the Coast Guard. Hawaii is among the most sought-after Coast Guard assignments given the exceptional climate, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Mission & Units

  • Primary Mission: Provide base support for Coast Guard cutters operating in the central and eastern Pacific; support Sector Honolulu in conducting search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries enforcement, and environmental protection across the vast central Pacific Ocean area of responsibility.
  • Major Units: Coast Guard Base Honolulu (installation command); Coast Guard Sector Honolulu (operational command for central Pacific); USCGC Kimball (WMSL-756, National Security Cutter); USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757); USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752); various patrol boats and aids to navigation vessels
  • Tenant Units: Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point (MH-65 Dolphin, MH-60 Jayhawk, HC-130H, separate facility 20 miles west at former Barbers Point NAS); Pacific Island Civil Engineering Unit; Coast Guard Pacific Area coordination

Location & Access

  • Nearest Major City: Honolulu, HI (population approximately 350,000; metro approximately 1 million) – within city limits on Sand Island
  • Nearest Commercial Airport: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) – approximately 5 miles west
  • Gate Access: Main gate on Sand Island Access Road; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center

Population

  • Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 1,800
  • Family Members: Approximately 2,500
  • Civilian Employees: Approximately 400
  • Total Installation Population: Approximately 4,700

Key Facilities

  • Medical: Coast Guard Clinic at Base Honolulu; primary care and dental; specialty referrals to Tripler Army Medical Center (the major military hospital in Hawaii, excellent comprehensive care) or Queen’s Medical Center (excellent private hospital in Honolulu)
  • Commissary: Access to military commissary and exchange at Hickam/Pearl Harbor (approximately 10 miles west); limited on-base commissary services at CG Base
  • Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Access to AAFES and Navy Exchange facilities at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam community; Coast Guard Exchange on base
  • Fitness & Recreation: Fitness facilities on base; access to military recreation programs throughout Oahu; Hawaii’s beaches, surfing, hiking, and outdoor recreation are world-class; Pacific Ocean swimming and water sports year-round
  • Schools: Honolulu Department of Education (DOE) schools serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Hawaii DOE is a single statewide school system; military families seek out higher-rated schools in the Aiea, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, and Kailua/Kaneohe areas; school ratings vary significantly across Oahu
  • Childcare: Child Development Center access (primarily at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam); Hawaii has private childcare options but can be expensive; register early
  • Veterinary Services: Limited on-base; Oahu has numerous private veterinarians available; Hawaii has strict animal import rules (rabies-free state)
  • Legal Assistance / JAG: Coast Guard JAG support available; appointment-based

Housing

  • On-Post Housing: Limited on-base housing at CG Base; most Coast Guard families live in military housing at other Oahu installations or off-base
  • Average Wait Time: Military housing on Oahu is competitive; apply early; many families use off-base BAH housing allowance
  • Off-Post Housing: Honolulu metro area; popular neighborhoods for military families include Aiea, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and Kaneohe/Kailua; average rent approximately $2,800-$3,800/month for 3-bedroom home; Hawaii is one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States; BAH is high (one of the highest in the country) but housing costs are still challenging; Hawaii has no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary residents
  • BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Honolulu BAH is among the highest in the Coast Guard

PCS & Newcomer Info

  • Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; CG Base Honolulu and Sector Honolulu sponsorship programs; Hawaii PCS requires advance planning for vehicle shipping, pet import (rabies-free Hawaii has strict rules), and household goods transportation
  • In-Processing: CG Base Honolulu in-processing; typically 2-3 days; Hawaii-specific orientation; pet quarantine coordination if applicable
  • EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Work-Life Staff; enrollment required; Tripler Army Medical Center provides excellent specialist access; Hawaii has adequate specialist coverage for most conditions; children’s specialist access through Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children

Local Area & Quality of Life

  • Climate: Tropical/subtropical; near-perfect year-round; warm sunny days (average high 84F/29C in summer; 80F/27C in winter); trade winds keep it comfortable; two seasons: dry (May-September) and wet (October-April); rain comes in short bursts; rarely too cold or too hot; no hurricanes in recorded history for Oahu (though risk exists)
  • Cost of Living: Very high; Hawaii is consistently one of the most expensive states; housing particularly expensive; groceries approximately 60-70% above CONUS average; no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary residents; Oahu’s natural beauty and lifestyle partially offset the cost for most families
  • Nearby Attractions: Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head (5 miles from base); Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona (10 miles, one of America’s most important historical sites); North Shore surfing (35 miles, world-famous Pipeline and Sunset Beach); Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (snorkeling, 15 miles); Nu’uanu Pali Lookout; Kailua and Lanikai beaches (windward side, 20 miles, some of Hawaii’s best beaches); hiking Koko Head Crater and Ka’au Crater; Manoa Valley and Tantalus; inter-island flights to Maui (Haleakala, Road to Hana), Big Island (volcanoes), and Kauai (Na Pali Coast) easily accessible
  • Spouse Employment: Honolulu metro offers employment in healthcare (Tripler, Queen’s Medical Center, Castle Medical), tourism/hospitality (major industry), federal government (many agencies), education (University of Hawaii), and retail; the tourism economy creates jobs but also volatility; remote work common; military spouse employment networks active in Hawaii; Work-Life assists

Contact & Resources

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/coast-guard-base-honolulu; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedStatesCoastGuardSector_Honolulu; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law

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