USS Hawaii (SSN-776)

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.