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The nuclear-powered submarine USS Hawaii makes its way to its new port at Pearl Harbor
By Gregg K. Kakesako
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 05, 2009
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The Navy's newest addition to the Pacific Fleet -- the attack submarine USS Hawaii -- will be here next month, says Kippen de Alba Chu, chairman of the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission.
USS Hawaii (SSN 776)
» Length: 377 feet
» Beam: 34 feet
» Displacement: 7,800 tons
» Speed: Greater than 25 knots (29 mph)
» Depth: Greater than 800 feet
» Commissioned: May 5, 2007
» Complement: 134 officers and enlisted crew
» Commanding officer: Cmdr. Edward L. Herrington
» Executive officer: Lt. Cmdr. Glen Sidaras
» Chief of the boat: Command Master Chief Petty Officer Robert Crossno
Source: U.S. Navy
As a policy the Navy does not publicize the arrivals and departures of its warships. But the 7,800-ton submarine will be part of the 50th anniversary of Hawaii statehood slated for Aug. 21, state officials said.
Alba Chu said events involving the USS Hawaii are being planned by the Navy and probably will be held sometime next month when the submarine arrives at Pearl Harbor.
The $2.5 billion submarine, the third Virginia-class attack submarine constructed and the first to be named after the Aloha State, left May 13 from Groton, Conn., where it was built.
A few weeks later the sub was performing sea trials off Florida. On May 28 its skipper, Cmdr. Ed Herrington, wrote in a blog started by the crew to chronicle the sub's voyage to Hawaii, "Over the next few weeks we will be working hard on our tactics and techniques for several different mission areas including anti-submarine warfare, missile strike and minefield penetration."
The 370-foot nuclear-powered submarine is capable of multiple missions, including special warfare operations. Two other Virginia-class boats, the USS Texas and USS North Carolina, now berthed at Groton, have been assigned to Pearl Harbor. The Texas is slated to arrive here in the fall. There has been no official announcement involving the North Carolina.
The USS Hawaii (SSN 776) was commissioned on May 5, 2007, and is the first Virginia-class submarine to be home-ported in Pearl Harbor.
Its 132-member crew can launch Tomahawk missiles from 12 vertical launch system tubes and Mark 48 advanced-capability torpedoes from four 21-inch torpedo tubes.
Master Chief Petty Officer Robert R. Crossno Jr., the highest-ranking enlisted sailor as chief of the boat, wrote in a blog entry May 22, "Excitement stirs among the crew as Hawaii makes her journey to her new home port. Several crew members previously stationed in Pearl Harbor are stimulating the crew about the wonderful life in Hawaii. The stories of the panoramic views from wherever you are on the island are beyond belief."
By the end of this year, there will be 18 attack submarines at Pearl Harbor, two more than currently assigned. Sixty percent of the Navy's attack submarines eventually will be berthed in Hawaii, Guam and the West Coast.
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The "state"hood celebration is disrespectful. So is naming it "Hawai'i" but I believe in a good defense and while they should not have named it "Hawai'i" by naming it that it inadvertently keeps oiwi visible. Some of their weapons like the Joint Strike Fighters also help keep us alive and thus survive.
Which one would people rather have: Would they rather have the U.S. out or would they rather have us stay alive. I choose the latter. I wish those people luck who are advocating that the U.S. deoccupy. When our mo'opuna die after the pull-out/de-occupation... it is on their heads. I hope that if and when that day comes they can sleep at night knowing the damage that they have caused to some innocent people like oiwi women and children. * This excludes Pomai because he loves the Hawaiian Kingdom more than many people whom I know.
So Aunty, what you saying? That we need the US for protection? We actually need protection FROM the US. I don't disagree that the US provides defense for Hawaii as well as their country, but think about this. If Hawaii was still independent, as with many other nations, Hawaii's military would have evolved and kept up with the times to provide adequate defense for our nation. Our kupuna were akamai and knew what they were doing. Also, the Spanish-american war did not justify the US taking of our nation for THEIR benefit. Remember that every nation on earth respected Hawaii's status as a neutral nation EXCEPT the US.
At the Legislature this year they had a State Resolution to put Prince Kuhio on an American Stamp. I told the committee that if they really want to honor Prince Kuhio that they should have United States pull down their flag and go home. Long Live The Hawaiian Kingdom, He Hawaii Au, He Hawaii Makou, o Pomai
Dude, you say you disagree with what is going on in Hawaii nei, but you are part of the occupation and the displacement of Kanaka Maoli.... I was jus wondering are you really trying to be part of the culture or are you on a duty? Cause to me you are having an identity crisis. The fact of the matter is you live there because a Maoli doesn't. Are you asking yourself... why this Maoli don't live there? well because for every person in the military that moves on to the island a Maoli is being displace and ends up homeless on the beach while you are enjoying the things that rightfully belong to them.... So dude don't sit there and try to get to know the sufferings of a nation while you are the cause of it... GO HOME...
Replies
Which one would people rather have: Would they rather have the U.S. out or would they rather have us stay alive. I choose the latter. I wish those people luck who are advocating that the U.S. deoccupy. When our mo'opuna die after the pull-out/de-occupation... it is on their heads. I hope that if and when that day comes they can sleep at night knowing the damage that they have caused to some innocent people like oiwi women and children. * This excludes Pomai because he loves the Hawaiian Kingdom more than many people whom I know.
~ Lana
Keliiaumoana