LOCATION - Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, is located on the west side of the island of Kauai on the Mana Plain. Barking Sands is a long, narrow site bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The nearest town, Kekaha, is eight miles to the south and east. All areas in Hawaii are considered high cost however, since all consumable items must be shipped into the state and then reshipped to the outer islands like Kauai, PMRF is considered higher than average.
HISTORY - The land occupied by the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands has seen many and varied uses. PACMISRANFAC was established in July 1968, when a small contingent of military personnel officially moved to Barking Sands from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Kaneohe Bay. In early 1970, the remainder of the activity moved to Kauai.
MISSION - The mission of the Pacific Missile Range Facility(PMRF) is to facilitate Training, Tactics Development, and Test & Evaluations for air, surface, and sub-surface weapons systems and Advanced Technology Systems. PMRF provides the full spectrum of instrument range support, including; radar, underwater instrumentation, telemetry, electronic warfare, target remote command & control, communications, target launching facilities, data display, data processing and target/weapon launching and recovery facilities.
POPULATION SERVED -Approximately 80 active duty; 180 civilians personnel and their families.
SPONSORSHIP - ENTRY APPROVAL is required from PMRF prior to moving family members to Kaua'i because of extremely limited housing. You are cautioned against bringing your family with you unless you have ENTRY APPROVAL, as reimbursement for dependent travel will not be authorized. Contact Information: XO COM: 808 335-4251 DSN: 315 471-6251 for information on obtaining ENTRY APPROVAL.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - There is a mandatory billeting assignment policy for unaccompanied Navy personnel in pay grades E-4 and below. Possession of excess household goods that cannot be accommodated in BEQ spaces is not justification to live off base. Non-temporary storage of household goods is recommended in CONUS due to very limited non-temporary storage at JPPSO.
All inbound personnel must check in with the personnel office. Upon arrival, report to the Personnel Support Detachment for check-in. Quarters are extremely limited with 20 transient units, contact (808) 335-4383 for reservations.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - WHAT NOT TO BRING - When planning your move, there are some items you should consider storing on the mainland. Obviously, furs and heavy winter clothing are unnecessary in Kaua'i's subtropical climate, although some may be needed for trips back to the mainland. And if you plan to live in government quarters, you will NOT need your own refrigerator, washer, dryer or range. The Housing Office will NOT move the refrigerator and range already installed in your quarters. Pitting, rusting and corrosion of metal due to the sea air is a problem on Kaua'i. Consider leaving your fine silver, copper, pewter, brassware and other valued metal items on the mainland. If that is not feasible, when you arrive in Kaua'i, wrap those items carefully and pack them away. Even manufacturer's protective coating on metal items are ineffective against corrosion here. ADVANCE SHIPMENT - should contain items which will enable you to sustain basic housekeeping for 30 to 40 days prior to arrival of your full shipment. Some kitchen items, towels and blankets may be obtained for temporary use from MWR's ALOHA KITS.
Nice-to-have items for the advance shipment include electric fan, portable radio and/or TV, small hibachi or barbecue, portable card table and chairs, beach chairs and towels. The PMRF Housing Office will loan "basic necessities" furniture for up to 90 days to new arrivals awaiting their household effects shipment. If you have already been assigned quarters, at your request, your sponsor may arrange to have these items placed in your housing unit prior to your arrival.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION -- OVERSEAS SCREENING IS REQUIRED FOR PMRF. PMRF has limited medical services, therefore strict medical/dental screening is required prior to transfer. Family members will utilize TRICARE, as care through the military system is not available. Specialized services i.e., orthodontics are not available. Medical conditions, no matter how slight, may be disqualifying. If questions exits on this matter contact PMRF AUTOVON (315) 471-6237/6203.
PMRF Barking Sands has experienced some trouble with personally-owned vehicle (POV) shipments from the East and West Coasts of the United States. Some Household Goods offices have been booking POV's only as far as Pearl Harbor.
PMRF is on another island, and further shipment of POV's by barge to the port at Nawiliwili, Kaua'i is required. In order to avoid a possible three-to-four week delay in receiving your vehicle, insist that your vehicle be shipped to Nawiliwili, Kaua'i (Code XF2).
Hawai'i Motor Vehicle Insurance Requirements - The "Hawai'i No-Fault Law" requires every owner of a car, bus, truck or motorcycle to have no-fault insurance. If you are planning to ship your automobile to Hawai'i, you should take IMMEDIATE ACTION to have your automobile insurance company change your existing policy to be in compliance with the "Hawai'i No-Fault Law."
Importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Hawaii is governed by Chapter 4-29 of the State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture Administrative Rules. This law says that these animals are required to complete a 120-day confinement in the State Animal Quarantine Station.
If specific pre-arrival and post-arrival requirements are met, animals may qualify for a 30-day quarantine or a new 5-day-or-less quarantine that became effective on June 30, 2003.