Hawaiian Islands COLA Survey Open Now

By courtesyFebruary 7, 2014

Hawaiian Islands COLA Survey Open Now
Your time is now to provide input into how much extra cash goes into your pocket. Any service member who does not reside in the barracks and is assigned to duty in the State of Hawaii as his or her permanent duty station for at least 3 months, should... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Your time is now to provide input into how much extra cash goes into your pocket. Any service member who does not reside in the barracks and is assigned to duty in the State of Hawaii as his or her permanent duty station for at least 3 months, should take the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) survey.

Whether you are on the Big Island, Kauai, Oahu or any island, help ensure you are getting the extra money that reflects your local economy and extra cost of living here in Hawaii.

Every three years, the Department of Defense conducts a COLA Living Pattern Survey (LPS). This survey is one of the building blocks of COLA. The data collected in this survey identifies the types of the local economy outlets where military members shop and the amount each of these outlets are used by military members. DOD then compares the prices in Hawaii to averages in the continental United States and the resulting COLA reflects the difference.

This COLA survey asks which local economy outlets individuals use when they shop for food items, clothing, and many other goods and services, such as hair care, and auto repair. It also asks them how much of their shopping is done on the local economy, and how much is done at the Commissary, Exchange, or on the internet.

The survey is available now and remain until February 28, 2014 at the following link: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/lps-hawaii.cfm. This link is also available at www.pacom.mil by clicking on the graphic that says, "COLA Living Pattern Survey Hawaii." The survey takes about 30 minutes to complete.

The key to success is maximum participation and accurate data. Final rates will vary from island to island based on local purchasing power.

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Hawaii COLA Survey Link