| Hawaii holds a strategic position in the defense system of the United States, and is known as the nerve center of the Pacific defense. The headquarters of the Commander in Chief, Pacific, and of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, are at Camp H.M. Smith near Pearl Harbor in Oahu. The major Army, Marine, and Air Force bases are Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, Fort De Russy, Hickam and Wheeler Air Force bases, and the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air Station. Pearl Harbor is the home port for many U.S. naval ships. There is a vast shipyard here for the repair and overhaul of U.S. fleet units. It also serves as a training base for submarine and antisubmarine warfare forces. In addition to these, there are other military installations, camps, and airfields of varying sizes throughout the state.
All these have created an industry which is most important to Hawaii’s economy, following only travel and tourism. It employs over 27,000 civilians, besides supporting hundreds of small businesses through the ripple effect of contracts and salaries. There are more than 55,000 active duty military personnel on the islands, 65,000 family members and 10,000 National Guard and reservists. All this generates $4.6 billion a year. Additional economic impact of the military is the Federal Impact Aid, which provides local schools with $22 million for education of Department of Defense family members. Other than this, approximately 12,000 military members and their families move to and from Hawaii each year. The cost of moving, including hotel, packing and transportation expenses provide a significant economic benefit to Hawaii. Also among Hawaii's military population are 13,000 retirees and 101,000 veterans, who have decided to settle in Hawaii. They receive more than $55 billion yearly in disability and pension payments.
When the military plays such an important role in Hawaii’s economy, it is but natural for the hotels to offer special discounted rates to Federal Government and Military personnel. Oahu.US is proud to be able to offer the same hotel discounts, which in most cases do not exceed the daily Government lodging per diem rate of $177 per night, a real bargain at some of the four and five star Oahu hotels that normally offer rooms well over $200 per night.
The Hale Koa, a military owned and operated hotel, is an excellent choice, however rooms are limited. If you cannot get a room at the Hale Koa you can check out other four and five star rated hotels given below. The Sheraton, Marriott, and Hilton are world renown hotels and are very Military/Government friendly and offer special government rates that meet the maximum lodging per diem rate whether you are on or off official Government travel.
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