About this Unit
USS Hawaii (SSN-776) is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on May 5, 2007. Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, she is the third vessel of her class and the first U.S. warship named after the state of Hawaii. Since commissioning, USS Hawaii has been homeported at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and has conducted a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare operations throughout the Pacific region. The submarine has participated in several multinational exercises, demonstrating advanced capabilities and strengthening partnerships with allied navies.
Historical Facts
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Third Vessel Named "USS Hawaii": USS Hawaii (SSN-776) is the third United States Navy ship to bear the name "Hawaii." The first was a never-completed large cruiser (CB-3) from World War II, and the second was a planned battleship (BB-32) that was ultimately canceled.
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Virginia-Class Submarine: USS Hawaii is the third submarine of the Virginia-class, a class designed to replace the aging Los Angeles-class submarines and optimized for a range of open-ocean and littoral (coastal) missions.
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Launched in 2006: The submarine was launched on June 17, 2006 at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, and she was commissioned into service on May 5, 2007.
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Hawaii’s Motto: The vessel’s motto is "Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono" ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), which is also the state motto of Hawaii.
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First Homeported in Pearl Harbor: In July 2009, USS Hawaii became the first Virginia-class submarine to be homeported at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, marking a significant milestone in the Navy’s Pacific presence.
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Advanced Technology: USS Hawaii features state-of-the-art stealth, intelligence gathering, and weapons systems, including photonic masts instead of traditional periscopes, and modular design for future upgrades.
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Special Operations Support: The submarine is specifically designed to support special operations forces, including the ability to deploy SEALs and their equipment through a reconfigurable torpedo room and lock-in/lock-out chambers.
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Historic Transits: In 2010, USS Hawaii completed an Arctic under-ice transit, demonstrating the Virginia-class's ability to operate in challenging environments and extending the reach of the U.S. submarine fleet.
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Strong Community Ties: The ship has a close relationship with the state of Hawaii, participating in local events, school visits, and cultural exchanges to strengthen military-civilian ties.
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Combat-Ready Deployments: USS Hawaii has conducted numerous Western Pacific deployments, participating in multinational exercises and real-world operations, showcasing her capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
