Museum

USS Hawaii

Leaps in Submarine Technology - USS Hawaii (SSN-776)

Birthed in the Nuclear Age after the first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, the USS Hawaii, a Virginia-Class submarine, is the latest version of the bullet-shaped, true submersible. Home ported in Pearl Harbor, she is a technological marvel, combining the latest in sensors, weapons, communications, propulsion, atmospheric controls and submarine construction.

Capable of sustaining her operations for months at a time, with the aid of modern communication, satellites, missiles and torpedoes, the USS Hawaii is able to influence events across the globe. She can monitor communications of an interested party or launch a precision strike from deep below the sea. She can capture information by passive or active means and use her vast computer data banks to process and analyze data while accomplishing her mission for the United States.

She possesses the ultimate in stealth while using every inch of her formidable platform for her mission. Literally, a "black hole" in the ocean, she is effectively employed by her crew of 135 and can be re-configured to support SEAL operations. Coming now in numbers, she is the platform for submarines for the 21st century.

Secrets of the Sub

Hawaii Themed Submarines

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was launched on 16 January 1965 and commissioned on 10 December 1965. This submarine holds the name for King Kamehameha the Great. It is fitting that one of our submarines bear the name of this striking figure in Hawaiian history. His people were intrepid seafarers and knowledge of stars, winds and currents still arouse wonder and admiration. For much of USS Kamehameha's service, she was based in Rota, Spain conducting deterrence patrols during the Cold War. Commissioning gifts to the submarine are on display at the museum.

USS Honolulu

USS Honolulu (SSN-718), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States to be named for Honolulu, Hawaii. She was launched on 24 September 1983 and commissioned on 6 July 1985. Honolulu’s patrols are commemorated by ten surfboards signed by the crews aboard her at the time. One of the four surfboards held at Bowfin Park is on display in the museum.

USS Hawaii

The USS Hawaii (SSN 776) is the first commissioned vessel of its name. Launched June 17, 2006 and Commissioned May 5, 2007 she is fortunate to be homeported in her namesake state. The submarine was named to recognize the tremendous support the Navy has enjoyed from the people and state of Hawaii, and in honor of the rich heritage of submarines in the Pacific.

Hawaii is the third of the Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia-class of attack submarines surpasses the performance of any current projected threat submarine, ensuring U.S. undersea dominance well into the next century.

Bowfin Museum collections include models of all three submarines.