Hawaii is a top destination for Space-A travelers seeking year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches, epic surfing, and world-class golf. But it’s also a frequent stop for travelers en route to and from bases in Japan, Korea, Guam and other U.S. territories.
The Air Mobility Command (AMC) terminal at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (“JBPHH” or “Hickam”) has the most Space-A flights of any military base in Hawaii and is an extremely busy hub.
Whether Hickam is your destination, or you’re just passing through, here’s what you need to know about taking a military hop to Hawaii, a.k.a. the “gateway to the Pacific.”
If you are new to Space-A flying, read this Quickstart Guide to Space-A Flights first to get a basic understanding of how the process works.
Contents (click to expand)
1. Most Space-A flights via Hickam originate at bases in the Pacific or on the West Coast of the United States.
The locations with the most flights to and from JBPHH are Travis AFB (California), Andersen AFB (Guam), Kadena AB (Japan), and NAS North Island (California).
Historically, JBPHH has had regular – but not as frequent – flights to and from Yokota AB (Japan), Fairchild AFB (Washington), JB Lewis-McChord (Washington), NAS Whidbey (Washington), JB Elmendorf (Alaska), and Wright-Patterson AFB (Ohio).
JBPHH has many flights to Kwajalein Atoll, but you must be sponsored by a resident of the island to travel there. Hickam also has regular flights to Eielson AFB (Alaska) and Osan AB (Korea), but return flights from those locations are not as common.
Keep in mind that these are only the most frequent flights based on historical data. All Space-A flights are determined by mission needs, which change constantly.
| Related Reading: 7 Things to Know About Flying Space-A from Travis AFB
JBPHH generally has several flights per month to and from locations not mentioned above, including bases along the East Coast and in Texas. However, the locations aren’t very consistent month-to-month. Check Hickam’s web page to see the current flight schedules.
2. JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam has lodging in five different locations across the base.
Navy Gateway Inns & Suites (NGIS) has several locations on JBPHH. The Royal Alaka’I is on the Hickam AFB side and is within walking distance of the terminal. Makalapa VOQ, Lockwood Hall, and Arizona Hall are on Pearl Harbor and are all approximately 10 minutes by car from the terminal.
Visit the NGIS website for details and contact information.
Navy Lodge Hawaii has one location on Ford Island, which is part of JBPHH. Ford Island is very quiet and provides easy access to the USS Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum. It is also the farthest lodging from the passenger terminal.
3. The island of Oahu has many other military lodging options. They vary in distance from JBPHH.
The high number of military bases and recreation facilities on Oahu means you have many choices if you want to stay in military lodging but can’t or don’t want to stay on JBPHH. Some locations are most appropriate when you simply need a place to crash between flights. Others fit the bill for a dream vacation on the beach!
Click here for a full guide to military resorts in Hawaii.
Approximate drive times from the Hickam AMC terminal are in parentheses. Drive times may vary widely depending on traffic conditions. Check the facilities’ websites for their current rates.
Barber’s Point Beach Cottages: These beach cottages are located on White Plains and Nimitz beaches on the southwestern side of Oahu. Sizes range from a standard one-bedroom to a 3-bedroom deluxe. (30+ minutes)
Bellows Air Force Station Recreational Lodging: This beachside recreation area is located on Waimānalo beach on the southeastern side of Oahu. Bellows offers a range of options, including cabins, condos, and campsites. (35 – 45 minutes)
The U.S. Army Inn at Schofield Barracks: The Inn is located in Central Oahu by Wahiawa. (30 – 45 minutes)
Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC)/ Fort Shafter. This facility, which has one building close to TAMC and one on Fort Shafter, is run by IHG Army Hotels. (15 – 20 minutes)
Marine Corp Base Hawaii (MCBH) Lodging
MCBH has numerous lodging options, all of which are detailed on the website linked above except for Five Palms. (30 – 45 minutes)
Inns of the Corps: This lodge has 98 rooms, each with kitchenette. Hot breakfast available daily.
The Klipper Villas: These 2- 3-, and 4-bedroom units have full kitchens, living areas, and washer/dryer.
The Fairway Inn: This lodge has 24 rooms, each with kitchenette. Grab-and-go breakfast available daily.
The Beach Cottages and the Cabanas. These facilities offer great views and direct access to the beach. The 2 BR, 1 bath beach cottages are basic but fully furnished with kitchens and private decks. The cabanas are fully-furnished studios with community bathrooms.
Five Palms: This transient lodging facility on MCBH is available for leisure travelers up to 30 days in advance. The rooms are all suites, and free breakfast is available Monday through Friday.
Pililaau Army Recreation Center offers beachside cabins in a non-touristy area on the west side of Oahu. (45 – 60 min)
The Hale Koa Hotel is a full-scale resort located in Waikiki. Accommodations vary from standard to deluxe oceanfront rooms. (25 – 35 minutes)
The recreational lodging options are usually booked months in advance, so your best bet is to reserve very early or try for last-minute reservations (the latter worked for us at the Hale Koa).
4. Military lodging may not be your cheapest option near JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
The island of Oahu has a lot of military lodging, but military lodging does not equal “budget” lodging in Hawaii. To be sure, most of the recreational facilities are still a bargain compared to civilian beachside properties. But when you’re “in transit” rather than “on vacation,” and you just need an affordable place to stay, you may find cheaper options off base.
Search Booking.com for the best hotel deals on Oahu or check out these recommendations for cheap Oahu hotels.
5. If you are flying Space-A via Hickam, but Hawaii is not your final destination, budget generously for lodging, meals, and transportation.
No matter how short a time you think you may spend in Hawaii, pad your budget, just in case. Staying overnight can get expensive very quickly.
Even in the best-case scenario where you are manifested on a flight continuing to another destination, flights with a layover at Hickam often stay for anywhere from 12 hours to a few days. The AMC terminal is open from 0400 – 2200, so sleeping there is not an option.
If you’re flying to Hawaii planning to hop somewhere else but are not manifested on a subsequent flight, you could get “stuck” even longer, so budget accordingly.
6. JB Pearl-Harbor Hickam has a free base shuttle that stops at the passenger terminal.
The shuttle originates at the NEX mall (“The Mall at Pearl Harbor”). After the terminal, the shuttle makes stops near the NGIS locations on the Pearl Harbor side of the base. It does not service Ford Island.
Check with the terminal for the current shuttle schedule.
7. You can save money on ground transportation if you’re willing to sacrifice convenience.
There are several taxi companies in the area, and you should not have a problem requesting a driver who can enter the base.
You can also use UberMilitary, an Uber service available in Hawaii that allows you to request a driver with base access. When using the Uber app, enter your destination, and then select the icon labeled “Military” on the next screen.
If you use Facebook, another option is to join the group Oahu Military Ride and Delivery Service to request rides from fellow ID card holders. The group rules explain how it works.
There are numerous rental car companies at or near the Honolulu airport, about a 10-minute taxi ride from the terminal. Click here to find the best deals on car rentals.
By far the cheapest option for ground transportation is the city bus, which services the Hickam AMC terminal. Visit “The Bus” website to find the best route to your destination.
Bus fare will set you back only a few bucks, and if you purchase a HOLO card, Oahu’s transit pass, you can save even more money.
8. Boost your chances of getting a Space-A seat by packing light.
Hickam often has flights – particularly to bases in the Pacific – with luggage weight limits as low as 30 lbs per person. If you qualify, you may get a seat, even when the terminal is packed with Space-A travelers in higher categories.
| Related Reading: What to Pack for a Space-A Flight
9. Two other airfields on Oahu have regular Space-A flights: Kaneohe and Kalaeloa (a.k.a. Barbers Point or John Rodgers Field).
Kaneohe is the air terminal on Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH). They post their 72-hour flight schedules here. If you land at MCBH, you have access to all of the base facilities and the MCBH lodging options noted in #3 above.
Click here to find off-base lodging near Kaneohe.
Kalaeloa Airport is on the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point. The terminal is in the Coast Guard Air Station building, but there are no other services, and the location is somewhat isolated. You must call a taxi or Uber to get to your destination.
Local lodging options include the beach cabins mentioned in #3 above (if you can get a last-minute reservation) and a Hampton Inn & Suites in the Makana Ali’i Shopping Center, which is about 2 miles away.
Kalaeola Airport does not have a website with Space-A travel information. If you arrive at this airport on a Space-A flight, you can ask the crew of your aircraft if they have a scheduled return and try to coordinate with them to hop that flight.
10. Avoid Space-A to Hawaii during Spring Break season.
Spring is often a particularly difficult time to fly Space-A to Hawaii due to staggered Spring Break schedules. Hawaii public schools have Spring Break in mid-March, while Spring Break for Department of Defense schools in the Pacific is usually late March or early April.
Holidays and school vacations are the most difficult times to fly Space-A, because many active duty families travel and may take their kids out of school several days before and/or after the break.
Between the staggered vacation schedules and the popularity of Hawaii as a Spring Break destination (not to mention a major hub for Space-A travel in and out of the Pacific), most of March and April are bad times to fly Space-A to Hawaii.
Final Advice for Flying Space-A via JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam
If you’re flying though JBPHH, have a game plan before you go. Research your options for lodging and transportation, make refundable reservations, where available, and set aside extra funds in case you’re on Oahu longer than expected. Finally, don’t forget to stop by The Lanai at Mamala Bay, located next to Hickam Beach, to enjoy a cold drink. The view is worth it!
Related Reading
First time flying Space-A? This packing list tells you what to wear and bring on the flight.
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