Things To Do
in Hickam Housing
Hickam Housing is the residential area on Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam on the southern shore of Oʻahu, immediately adjacent to Honolulu and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It serves primarily military families and personnel and combines base services with easy access to Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and central Honolulu. The neighborhood is quiet, well-maintained, and designed for family life with parks, community centers, and shorelines nearby.
Visitors should respect base access rules and the deep historical significance of nearby Pearl Harbor memorials.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at the local café within Hickam Air Force Base. Afterward, take a guided tour of the base, where you can learn about its rich history and significance in military aviation. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful Kawaihao Beach nearby for a serene morning stroll.
Head to the Hickam Fitness Center for an invigorating workout or join a group fitness class to meet locals. After your workout, enjoy lunch at the base's chow hall, sampling a variety of cuisines. Spend the afternoon exploring the nearby Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, immersing yourself in the stories of bravery and resilience.
As the sun sets, unwind with a family dinner at one of the base's dining options or venture off-base to discover local restaurants. After dinner, enjoy the calm evening by taking a walk along the waterfront or participating in community events hosted on base. Finish your day with some stargazing, appreciating the clear Hawaiian skies.
Start your day with an adventurous hike to Diamond Head, taking in stunning views of the island. Enjoy a packed breakfast at the top, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Spend some time exploring the surrounding area before descending.
After your hike, head to Waikiki Beach to relax and soak up the sun. Try your hand at surfing with a lesson from local instructors or rent a paddleboard for a few hours. Grab lunch at a beachside café and watch the waves roll in.
As evening descends, enjoy a memorable luau experience at a nearby resort, embracing Hawaiian culture through food, music, and dance. Relax under the stars, engaging with locals and fellow travelers. Return to Hickam to reflect on your exhilarating day.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $12-18 |
| ☕Coffee (regular café) | $3-6 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel per night | $150-300 |
| 🚕Taxi / rideshare short trip | $8-20 |
| 🛒Grocery (weekly, moderate) | $60-120 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Immediate access to historic Pearl Harbor sites and military facilities with strong security.
- Close to Honolulu and Waikiki beaches, dining, and attractions—convenient for exploring Oʻahu.
- Family-friendly neighborhoods with parks, community centers, and base amenities.
- Mild year-round climate and abundant outdoor activities (beaches, hikes, water sports).
- Restricted access and visitor rules because it's on a military installation.
- Higher cost of living and dining compared with many U.S. mainland locales.
- Can be crowded in peak tourist seasons, especially Waikiki and major attractions.
- Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly on base.
Places to Visit in Hickam Housing
Visit one of these nice places.
Powerful, solemn memorial with panoramic views of the harbor and naval vessels—early reservations recommended for best light and fewer crowds.
Iconic volcanic crater with sweeping vistas of Honolulu, Waikiki, and the Pacific—sunrise or late afternoon are ideal for dramatic light.
Calm waterfront areas near the base provide foreground interest with aircraft, harbor scenes, and sunset colors—respect restricted areas.
Long coastal park with city skyline backdrops, palm trees, and calm lagoons—great for golden hour photography and family scenes.
Lush rainforest setting with a scenic waterfall—moody, green shots are best on overcast days to avoid harsh contrasts.
Food in Hickam Housing
Hickam Housing Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Cubed raw fish (often ahi) seasoned with soy, limu, sesame, and spicy sauces; available at seafood counters and specialty poke shops across Honolulu.
Must-Try!
A hearty comfort plate of rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy—find it at diners like Rainbow Drive-In or local cafés.
Grilled Spam on rice wrapped with nori—a ubiquitous grab-and-go snack sold at convenience stores and bakeries such as 7-Eleven and local markets.
Portuguese-style fried doughnut dusted with sugar; Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu is famous for them.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Popular Saturday market near the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa featuring local fruits, poke, hot plates, musubi, and prepared island foods—great for sampling seasonal produce.
Ala Moana has a mix of food stalls and restaurants; food trucks around Honolulu and near beaches offer shrimp plates, shaved ice, and quick island bites.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Be friendly, polite, and respectful—‘aloha’ and ‘mahalo’ go a long way. Local interactions tend to be relaxed and cordial.
Do not remove sand, coral, or artifacts from beaches; treat sacred and historic sites—especially Pearl Harbor memorials and heiau (temples)—with solemnity and appropriate behavior.
Hickam Housing is on a military installation—visitors may need ID and sponsor access. Follow posted rules and respect restricted areas and security personnel.
Observe posted signs about swimming conditions and respect surfers’ right of way; keep noise down at residential beaches, and pack out your trash.
Safety
Tipping in Hickam Housing
Ensure a smooth experience
Follow U.S. norms: tip 15–20% in full-service restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars or $5–10 for exceptional service, and round up taxis or tip 10–15% for rideshares if service is good. On base facilities that serve the military may have different expectations—check signage.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common. Carry some cash for small vendors and farmers’ markets. ATMs are available in Honolulu and on base; notify your bank if traveling from abroad.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Warm, relatively dry conditions from April to October with afternoon trade winds—expect highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F (25–30°C). Busy tourist season, especially in July and August.
Nov–Mar brings slightly wetter weather and larger ocean swells on the North Shore—temperatures remain mild (mid-60s to mid-70s°F / 18–24°C) and this is peak season for big-wave surfing.
Spring and fall offer fewer crowds, comfortable weather, and good deals on accommodations. Trade winds moderate temperatures and humidity year-round.
June through November is hurricane season; direct hits are rare but monitor forecasts and have contingency plans during these months.
Hickam Housing at Night
Hiking in Hickam Housing
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
A popular, moderately steep crater rim hike with paved sections and stunning views over Waikiki—allow time for crowds.
Lush, short rainforest hike leading to a picturesque waterfall—muddy when wet, suitable for most fitness levels.
Coastal paved trail with sweeping ocean vistas, whale-watching in season, and views of offshore islets.
A challenging climb up an old railway for panoramic summit views—steep and strenuous, popular with locals seeking a workout.
Airports
How to reach Hickam Housing by plane.
Main international airport in Honolulu, adjacent to Hickam and a short drive from base housing; offers domestic and international flights with easy ground access to the base and city.
Smaller regional and general aviation airport on Oʻahu (serves charters and private flights); useful for private or interisland operations but limited commercial service compared with HNL.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Indigenous communities with deep cultural ties to the land and traditions; visible in cultural events, language, and place names.
Large populations of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, and other Asian ancestries contribute significantly to Oʻahu’s culture, cuisine, and economy.
Hickam Housing is home to many active-duty military members and their families, creating a close-knit community with base facilities and schools.
Tourists, transplants from the U.S. mainland, and international residents add to the island’s multicultural character.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The quintessential Hawaiian sport—beginners learn in Waikiki while the North Shore hosts world-class big-wave competitions in winter.
Traditional team paddling sport with clubs and races across Oʻahu—both recreational and competitive opportunities exist.
Popular for calm mornings in Ala Moana and Waikiki, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
High school and community sports are widespread; pickup basketball is common at parks and school courts.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Hickam Housing.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are widely available in Honolulu and at farmer’s markets—look for tofu-based dishes, vegetable plate lunches, and local produce. Many restaurants will accommodate requests, but some traditional plates center on seafood or pork.
Vegan choices have expanded considerably: specialty cafés, poke shops offering tofu/veggie bowls, and several vegan restaurants in Honolulu. Always double-check sauces (fish/seafood-based) and ask about substitutions.
Gluten-free menus are common in tourist areas; request modifications for soy sauce (contains wheat) and confirm cross-contamination if you have celiac disease. Fresh fish, rice, and salads are naturally safer options.