Recreational Activities
One of the true pleasures of training in paradise is the abundance of recreational activities available to us. Throughout the residency training, there are ample opportunities to sample everything that our tropical home has to offer. Surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, scuba diving, sailing, power boating, body surfing, golf, and hiking are just a few of the activities in which our housestaff participate. Lessons are available in many of these activities at reduced rates through the recreation offices on the various military bases in the area. Some of the military bases also rent equipment such as boats, surfboards, and scuba equipment at significantly reduced costs.
Leave and Neighbor Island Travel
Leave can be taken during outpatient blocks only. During the PGY1 year this is taken as three weeks of regular leave. PGY2 and PGY3 residents can take four weeks off annually.
Any travel to the mainland requires leave. Weekend travel to the neighbor islands requires a pass but does not require leave for military residents. Civilian residents may travel to neighbor islands without obtaining a pass. Housestaff routinely travel to our neighbor islands where most resorts offer “kama’aina” or local rates to Hawaii residents and military stationed in Hawaii. These kama’aina rates are often dramatically less than the standard rates and allow for affordable trips to some of the finest resorts in the world.
The military has affordable recreation centers all over Hawaii. Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most unique military resorts worldwide. It is located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, just steps away from the Kilauea crater at a cool altitude of 4000 feet.
Barking Sands Missile Range is located on the western or leeward side of Kauai, the garden isle. Quiet, secluded beach cottages are available for rent. There are beautiful hikes all over Kauai. Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali coast are two of the most scenic areas in the state.
There are also multiple military recreation areas on Oahu that house staff frequent. Cottages or hotel rooms are available for rent at the Hale Koa Hotel, Bellows Air Force Station, the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, and Pililaau Army Recreation Center. All of these facilities have rental recreation equipment available.