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.