GOVERNOR COMMISSIONS USS HAWAI`I
May 5 - "Man our ship and
bring her to life," Governor Lingle said as she commissioned the USS Hawai`i
- the third of the U.S. Navy's new Virginia-class submarines. The
commissioning ceremony included a hula performance, as well as lei for all
submariners serving onboard the USS Hawai`i and guests in attendance.
The Governor is serving as the ship's sponsor at the request of Secretary of
the Navy Gordon R. England. She christened the USS Hawai`i in June
2006, and inscribed her initials on a steel plate that was permanently
affixed in the submarine in August 2004. The submarine will be
stationed in Hawai`i and is expected to arrive in 2009. While in Groton,
Connecticut for the commissioning ceremony, the Governor toured the ship,
met with crew members and officers and participated in a promotion pinning
ceremony for the commanding officer, Captain David Solms.
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Watch the commissioning ceremony and view a photo gallery.
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Read more, view a photo gallery and watch video on the Honolulu Advertiser website.