Moving to Hawaii what can i expect?

Expect paradise IMO. If it wasn't so damn expensive, I'd love to have a place there just to kick it during vacation time.

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We will be pcsing to hawaii here in a few months I was just wondering what I can expect? Any other army familys stationed there? I know about the 5 day law thingy so i am working to get our doggy ready to go, but is there anything else I need to know?

For the dog check into quarantine prior to leaving AK. I know, in some cases, they will allow this before arrival which will make thing easier.

@meepers - If you are from the south, you will get along with the locals. Most love to BBQ, drink beer, and play music. If you are invited, always accept and be generous in return.

Beware of your family and friends that will come out, stay with you and hang out. You will get tired of the all of the luaus and touristy things because of them!

^^^ This

Most Islanders can easily spot the uptight people and will avoid them. Be friendly, courteous and hospitable and they will do the same.

As for mainland visitors I would suggest setting ground rules BEFORE they arrive. (This is just a small sample that a lot of people on island use):
1) You may stay at my house for a maximum of X days prior per visit. We had a 3 day rule, but a friend took advantage of it and stayed for 3 days, went to a hotel for 7, then came back for another 3.
2) You may/may not use my car to save the cost of renting. A lot of people asked if we had a car they could "borrow".
3) I will/will not be taking time out of my life of from work to entertain you. I had to work, but guests were always asking if I could take a day off to "show them the island".
4) Food on the island is expensive so if you eat something from the fridge please replace it. Self explanatory.

I went to Hawaii about five years ago. Cost of living there is obviously expensive, hard to find any parking. Weather is nice year round!

Where will you be stationed? Fort Shafter is in the city of Wahiawa, which is a more ghetto area on Oahu. If you are out in Kaneohe, its much nicer but that area is on the Windward side of the island and it rains often.
Its sunny all year around. Rains pretty often between March-May but its still sunny and hot when it rains.
Expect a slower, laid back style of living. We don't have much in the way of varied entertainment. You can go to a movie, watch a show by the colleges or a couple theater groups, concert every blue moon, bars and clubs...
Our idea of having fun mostly involves the outdoors: surf, paddle board, boogie board, body surf, hike to waterfalls, hiking in general, hunting, running, bbq-ing, etc.
Everything is at least three times more expensive here than where you are from. A gallon of milk here on sale is $4.75 to $4.99 depending on the store. Orange juice is $7-$8.
Local people and the military sometimes don't get along. This is real and you can expect a small level of hostility from some of the really ghetto areas of Wahiawa and the West side (Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha).
One reason is plain racism. The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy was not that long ago. Grandparents and great grandparents still alive remember the changes and the crimes against the Hawaiian people are still fresh for alot of local people. Foreigners, especially white skin foreigners, sometimes find themselves on the receiving end of this anger when they are here for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the wrong time with an ignorant local.
The second reason is most people from the mainland don't show a certain level of respect and courteousness that Hawaiian people do: For example, if you are changing lanes or someone lets you cut in front of them to get to your exit a thank you wave is mandatory. You will see a lot of people waving from their cars when you are here.
Take your shoes off if you ever get invited to a local home.
If you get invited to a party, bring something even if they tell you nothing. Typically, if it is a party that includes alcohol bring your own beer/liquor.
If you show respect and kindness that is what you will get in return.

My advice to you is to get out as much as possible and experience everything you can. Try to befriend local people because they will show you the places and experiences you will never get on base and as a tourist.
Try a musubi from a mom and pop store.
Waikiki beach is the worst beach to go to. It is a tourist attraction.
If you are not a strong swimmer and are not used to waves/current, do not just jump in the ocean. Mainlanders see local teens and even kids catching the waves and cruising so they think its safe or they can handle but they jump in and need to get rescued or sometimes even drown.
We measure our waves from the back not the front like in the mainland. So a 2ft wave here would measure about 4ft in the mainland.
The traffic here is terrible. It will be a constant source of irritation.
I dont know how you feel about having family/friends visit and stay with you like some of the other posters were advising you about.
Im born and raised on Oahu. If someone visits a local, you stay in their home and enjoy their hospitality unless you choose to stay somewhere else. Thats just the way we do things. If we said you couldn't stay in our home or couldn't borrow what we are able to give it would be considered disrespectful and not aloha. Thats out mentality. We give before you need to ask for it and we give freely with open arms and heart.
The scenery and relaxed environment is the best part of living here. The aloha you feel/recieve is pretty up there as well if you've never been here before.

Enjoy!

I'm jealous as hell. We are going to try for Hawaii as our next station. I have a friend stationed there now. she loooooves it

Glad to see I am not the only one jealous.