My Wife is in the Coast Guard and we just got our first assignment - Honolulu! We are both stoked.

The USCG is transporting my X over to the island for us, so I am looking forward to some (hopefully) kick-ass wheeling with you guys. Also, any tips for moving to Honolulu?

Hey, what's going on? I think the other guys are actually still out on the trail for the weekend, I had to come back, had some other things to get done...
The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is try and ship your vehicle a little before you leave. I shipped it the day before I left and had to wait a while for it to show. Being here without your own car sucks.
Where specifically are you being stationed? I'm an AET out at the air station, but live in Kailua, on the other side of the island. I'm loving it here too.
Oh yeah, and welcome!

hey Aloha. My main tip would be get any heavy mods that you want to do, mainly shrock bars and bumpers before you get out here as shipping is killer. But otherwise go into the picture section and you can see some of the wheeling/camping we did this weekend and what you have to look forward to..

She will be stationed in Honolulu, can't go into too much detail since nothing is finalized (well, it is and it isn't - you know how it goes). We were looking into base housing on Hickam...but not sure yet. Any tips on housing/where to live?

Ah, good thought on the heavy shipping and such. Not sure if I will have the dough for bigger mods like that before we leave though. What about tires, they more expensive out there? Glad I didn't get some new winter tires now though!

Kinda OT, but how have the locals been? Heard people say that crime is bad and that us mainlanders aren't too well liked...

As far as where to live, Hickam housing is pretty nice. Living off base is also an option. As far as cost goes, for a pro Comp M/T I paid about $180 for one. Its going to be a little bit more then you pay on the mainland because of shipping. As far as your question about yellow xterras yes there are a few. There are tons of xterras out here. Just most of them are 4x2s. If you do want to get some tires consider M/Ts for the terrain out here if you plan on wheeling often enough.

Cool, we figured we could always look at off-base housing once we were there (Hickam).

That doesn't sound outlandish for tires, but yeah - a little bit more expensive. Cool, I figured there would be a metric shitload of Wranglers, but good to hear there are a good deal of Xterras too...

Yea there are the load of wranglers, mostly military guys. What you will find pretty cool is there is a greater amount of lifted Toys out this way. Most of the locals drive them and they are just as equally bad ass. O just to let you know anything you buy from Calmini you can get over here w/o paying shipping.

Older Yotas like FJs and such too?

I guess that helps, given Calmini's prices...I do like their rear bumper...

mostly pick ups I have seen an older FJ.

Well, we will be on Oahu on April 20th! However, they say it takes 60 days for my X to get out there.

The Wife and I are still apt./house hunting, we just found out that we can't get base housing. Anyone have any thoughts on this place ?

Aw funny you should mention that place.. I was just at friend's house over there. Good place to live. The only problem is it is in Ewa Beach and that place can take you about 45-60min to get to the H-1 in traffic. Then you will have another 45-60min in regular traffic. If you can find a place in Kailua or Kaneohe you won't have to deal with traffic as much, but you will have more rain. That side, the windward side, is a lot more laid back and pretty chill. I live in Kapolei which is about 2 miles down from Ewa and it take me 1hour-1.5 hours to get to University of Hawaii at Manoa which is about 25 miles away. From Kailua or Kaneohe it would only take me about 30min. But yes if you don't mind traffic or plan on working odd hours Irioquios point is a pretty cool place to live. Its a gated community, with a gym, beach, and a little shopette. Overall not that bad of a place to live.

So Kailua and Kaneohe are on the windward side? Gotta remember that. Good to know it is a nice place, Iroquois point, and the price is right too for the size they are. But, I will take a look at Kailua or Kaneohe, I don't mind traffic - but I am used to being able to drive 150+ miles in two hours!

Everytime I go i seem to notice more and more Tacomas and Frontiers..

Now we have the butt load of Xterras.

+1 more.

Well, the Wife is worried about the drive time to the base on Sand Island - so Iroquois Point might be out for now.

What kind of area is Kamehameha Heights like? Found a place for rent here.

Its urban. The good: you are right down the street from Fort Shafter. The bad that is the middle of Kalihi. Lots of first generation Filipinos and Micronesian. Not that there is anything wrong with that but those will be your neibhors. So get used to smelling fried fish, and chicken adobo.. If you can find a place in Mililani you will be pretty good off. You will still be in traffic but it's not nearly as bad. If she is in Sand Island try and check out Kaimuki and Makiki. Its in town but you will be pretty darn close to Sand Island.

That wouldn't bother me too much. As long as I don't have to worry about my wife and I walking in the area...

Saw lots of nice listings in Mililani, but without my truck it's going to be too far away at first.

I checked out the other two areas you mentioned, and found one here , looks small but is only 5mi to sand island. We're only looking for something temporary until we get our stuff and my truck...

Hey, thanks for all the help, btw. I know this really isn't X related... :p

O ok.. Wasn't sure if it was temp. or perm. that is a good spot. You are right in the heart of Honolulu and you aren't far at all from Sand Island. Can you get temporary housing at the Hale Koa?? I know we did when we first came over here. Todd might have some better info. but I think he just had surgery so he might be or ..

Actually I've just been horribly MIA lately. The tonsils aren't coming out till the 28th, so I've just been busy lately, you know, fixing V-Dubs and all...
I was lucky when I got here in that the airstation had some rooms on base that I could stay in, and didn't have to deal with hotels. I may not be too much help in that regard.
I do live in Kailua though, one of the places you were talking about. It takes me 45 min in the morning to get to work across the island, and I'm usually moving at the speed limit the whole time. That's around 6 am to 6:45 To get to sand island I'd probably take the H3 into Kaneohe, then the Likelike over, that'd keep you heading south and west, which is away from town, where everyone else is headed, unlike the H3 to the H1, which curves back towards town and will join you with all the traffic. This all probably means nothing to you yet since you don't live here and know the island, but who knows. Basically, I live on the windward side of the island and absolutely love it, it's gorgeous and totally worth the drive. If you have any more questions though, don't hesitate to call - 480-678-2457. And you're totally fine to write and ask about whatever you want here. It's Hawaii, and we look after each other here.

Well, we're signing the lease on a small 2bdr. in Kamehameha tomorrow. It's month to month, so if we hate it we don't have to be there for long. I figure that once I get my X we will be looking for a new place (this one has street parking only).

Now, just to find a job...

Kamehameha is a good place. Right in the middle of everything. Im sure you will like it. And best of all it is a quick hop skip and a jump from Sand Island. Well when you get here give us a call maybe we can make a day get together outta of a island tour for you guys.

Thanks, I will give you guys a call. We have 10 days leave when we get that, so a tour would be awesome!

hopefully my X will be up and running by then. I just ordered in most of the parts I hope I will need. :rolleyes:

Yes, lots of X s here, but not as many newer ones. Lots of Wranglers driven by young military guys. Lots of Toyota, Nissan pickups. I don't see much use for a 4x4 here so I bought a 4x2 and save on car insurance. Wish there was an Xterra club here...

There is.. We are just in the process of getting it back up and running. I think it might be time for a hooters gathering?? Java when do you get here??

Somebody say Hooters!?!? I'm healed!!! Actually, my voice is just starting to come back and I can probably start taking in solid food in about a week.
Don't you dare go until then...

I get in on the 21st, not too much longer! My Wife and I are pretty excited.

So how does the 27th 6:00PM Aloha Tower Hooters or Big City Diner.. Im kinda craving some Kim chi Fried rice

Java what you have to look forward to..

No good for me. I've got a friend coming into town that night for the weekend.

That looks great, we can't wait. Sitting in a hotel in Newark waiting to fly out tomorrow morning. Not looking forward to the l-o-n-g flight, but I'm sure it won't be as bad as I imagine.

Not that I have anything against Hooters, but is there anywhere with some local flare that is affordable and a good place to meet and greet?

Krisjon, What was the place we all first met?? The one out in Hawaii Kai. That sounds like a good place to meet up.

Kona Brewing Co.

If you guys find another time besides next weekend to meet up, I'll join ya.

Kona Brewing Co.

If you guys find another time besides next weekend to meet up, I'll join ya.[/QB][/QUOTE]

Now that sounds like it could be interesting. OK if I bring the Wife?

Absolutely. Kona Brewing is over in Hawaii Kai. One of the better breweries here and the food's pretty good, too. Plus we can sit outside on the water at Koko Marina. It's a good spot. We just need to figure out a good time to do it so we can all meet up.

Well, the Wife is off until the 27th and I have a rental car until the 29th, fwiw.

I've got a busy week at work and have a friend visiting from the mainland this weekend, but we'll catch up soon I'm sure. Welcome to the island!

Hey welcome to the Islands.. Kona Brewing company sounds like it would work. How does May 5th sound to everyone?? Java I know you said you won't have the rental, if anything I can pick you up on my way over.

Welcome to the island!

I'm flying out for 5 weeks for some training on the 5th, so even the 4th would be better for me. I've been MIA lately though while you guys have discussed this, so if the 5th is better for all of you, by all means, go for it. I'll catch up when I get back.

Oh, and I saw a lifted white xterra here in Kailua today with the molding painted white and dual exhaust, anyone seen this before?

I still have the rental car, but I think the Wife wants to do some site seeing this weekend, which is cool. Seems like this weekend was tough for some of us anyways?

With luck I should have my X by the 20th (or sooner, I keep hoping). Maybe we could get something together in advance that would work for everyone's schedules? Not sure what trails/etc are around here, but my truck is bone stock...

We can fix that.

Really? There are money trees on Oahu?!


Seriously though, first thing when finances even out is some new tires and some real sliders...

Just FYI we can get free shipping on stuff from Calmini.

Well, my truck is somewhere on the Pacific Ocean now! Looks like it left LA around the 5th or 6th, which means I could have it as early as the 16th or 17th, with luck. Needless to say, I can't wait...

Welcome to the island!

Sorry for the long absence (in case anyone noticed)...been out and about w/ the navy and such. Looks like I've been missing some good trail runs

Finally started modding the rig. First small mod is the Airaid CAI. Next is the exhaust, then lift, then tires. Nice to hear we get free shipping from Calmini...

gotta go here to get it. He is a distributor and has been supplying guys like DH and other folks that are doing Nissan work on island. He is also willing to install stuff but doesn't have a shop so you will have to work that out with him. IMHO I am willing to help install stuff to, but Im free.

I'd love to browse the site, but the girls on the left make it a little difficult. I know why sites do that, considering the consumer base, but...I don't need 44DD's staring me in the face while I'm shopping for a lift.

I think I'll start a Christian version of ineedlift.com. I'll call it liftsformychristianrig.com hehehe

I know what you mean. I like mod my rig, too. I can't do lift or mount tires, but everting else I like do!

its the same price as whats on the Calmini website. Just gotta call him instead of Calmini.

Very cool, the 3" lift kit seems like a decent price. Wish it came with new leaf packs instead of AALs though.

In other news, my ship is in! Might have my truck Monday or Tuesday!

Great to hear your truck is in. they don't mess around with unloading those ships. It wouldn't surprise me if they call you tomorrow. If you want I have a set of used Calmini UCAs im not planning on using. If you want I will sell them to you for what I paid $255. For the rear you could always use the SAS spring pack. That was the route I was thinking of going before I decided to just skip the IFS and go SAS.

Kick ass, I have my truck! It's filthy, but they didn't damage it at all...

It's nice to have my truck.

I need a new tranny. If anything I can ride shot gun.

Damn, Theo. That sucks. I was wondering how long the little clutches and stuff in your tranny were going to last after the soaking they got. Any chance of finding a salvaged one on one of the islands?

Not soo much. I called around and notta.

Well that sucks...