Camp Smith -- In 2015, the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for active duty military personnel in Hawaii significantly decreased on 3 out of the 4 islands, and many questions were raised about the COLA determination process. As a result, USPACOM obtained approval from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) to do an out-of-cycle Living Pattern Survey (LPS) during the period February 1 to March 1 2016.
COLA is intended to equalize the purchasing power so service members stationed overseas (to include Hawaii) can purchase the same level of goods and services as they could if they were stationed in the continental United States. Thus, the average prices of 120 goods and services in Hawaii will be compared to the average prices of the same items in the continental United States. Service members can have a direct impact on their COLA by participating in a Living Pattern Survey (LPS). This survey captures the collective shopping behavior in an overseas location.
During the last LPS in early 2014 approximately 4,800 out of 49,680 assigned active duty personnel in Hawaii participated in the LPS, and USPACOM has established a significant participation goal and aggressive publicity campaign for the 2016 LPS.
According to Colonel Peter Santa Ana, Director of Manpower and Personnel at HQ USPACOM, “We are getting the word out to all of our military in Hawaii to participate in the online Living Pattern Survey, and we have set a target of 70 percent participation. We will also send weekly status reports to the service components. With everyone’s support and participation, we can ensure the 2016 COLA determination process will be as accurate as possible.”
Information regarding what will be asked in the survey includes the following:
- What percentage of your food purchases do buy at the commissary vs. at local stores?
o Separate questions for meats, seafood, poultry, dairy products,
o Separate question for groceries (including cereal, bread, soft drinks, etc.)
o Separate question for tobacco and alcohol
o Separate question for fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen fruits and vegetables and canned fruits and vegetables
- What percentage of personal care items do you buy at the commissary vs. at local stores?
o Toiletries (including toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
o Dry Cleaning
o Hair services
- What percentage of household goods do you buy at the Exchange vs. at local stores?
o Household small appliances
o Housekeeping supplies
o Major household appliances
- What company provides your telephone service? Cell service? Internet service?
- Where and in what percentage do you spend on medical expenses?
o Non-prescription drugs, doctors, dentists, hospital visits
- Where and in what percentage do you spend on entertainment expenses?
o Audiovisual supplies, photo supplies (SD cards, etc), reading material
o Recreational equipment, movies, performing arts, sporting events
- Where and in what percentage do you spend on vehicle expenses?
o Auto maintenance, gas, tires, insurance
- Where and in what percentage do you spend on eating out at restaurants?
- Where and in what percentage do you spend on daycare expenses?
To participate in the LPS go to http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/lps-hawaii.cfm from February 1 to March 1 2016.