JULY 23, 2009 DECLARED USS HAWAI’I DAY

Today was declared USS Hawai’i Day in a Proclamation issued by Governor Linda Lingle.  The announcement welcomes the vessel to the islands.  The warship was named after the island state, reinforcing the strategic role our Hawaii plays in the Pacific.

The Proclamation states the following:

PROCLAMATION

As one of the U.S. Navy’s finest warships, the USS Hawai’i (SSN 776) brings great pride to the Aloha State. The third ship in the Navy’s newest class of nuclear attack submarines, the USS Hawai’i’s keel-laying ceremony took place on August 26, 2004 at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in Quonset Point, North Kingston, Rhode Island. The submarine was christened on June 17, 2006, and commissioned on May 5, 2007 at Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Connecticut.

A Virginia-class submarine, this vessel provides optimal flexibility designed for a broad spectrum of missions, in addition to open-ocean, “blue water” missions. The technical specifications of the USS Hawai’i are most impressive. In addition to its state-of-the-art navigational and combat systems, the submarine features advanced stealth technology and sophisticated surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, meeting the Navy’s modern operational needs. At 377 feet in length, and displacing 7,800 tons of water, the USS Hawai’i is truly a tremendous asset to our nation’s military.

Moreover, the name of this submarine brings pride to the State of Hawai’i, reinforcing the strategic role our state plays in the Pacific. The USS Hawai’i’s motto, KÅ«pale ‘Ä€ina – Defend the Land, is fitting, as it honors our islands’ ancient seafaring heritage and acknowledges the tremendous support the U.S. Navy has enjoyed from the people of Hawai’i for more than a century. As the new home of the USS Hawai’i, we extend a warm welcome to Commander Ed Herrington and the 134 members of the crew and their families into our ‘ohana.

The production and delivery of this nuclear submarine has been first class. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of General Dynamics Electric Boat and U.S. Navy personnel, the USS Hawai’i was delivered to the Navy ahead of schedule on December 22, 2006.

THEREFORE, I, LINDA LINGLE, Governor, and I, James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr., Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai’i, do hereby proclaim July 23, 2009, as

USS HAWAI’I DAY

and welcome this majestic vessel, our state’s namesake ship, to our beautiful islands.

DONE at the State Capitol, in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawai’i, this nineteenth day of June 2009.

Linda Lingle
Governor, State of Hawai’i

James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawai’i

###

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii.)

GROTON, Conn. (May 5, 2007) - Sailors "man the ship" and officially bring the newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) to life during her commissioning ceremony. Hawaii is the third Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and part of the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shawn P. Eklund