Submarine fleet gets new leader

Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny turned over command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine force yesterday after a term that saw an increase of submarine activity and the arrival of the first three Virginia-class submarines at Pearl Harbor.

Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell Jr. relieved McAneny at a change-of-command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

As leader of the submarine fleet in the Pacific, McAneny led a force that includes attack, ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines, submarine tenders, a floating submarine dock and a submarine rescue unit.

Caldwell is a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He previously was commander of Submarine Group 9 in Bangor, Wash.

Animal advocates celebrate

The Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold a Tree of Hope Celebration at its shelter today and tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. Photos with Santa are $25; tours of the shelter with Santa’s elves will be available for $10 per person or $20 per family as a suggested donation. Special Christmas ornaments, "Paws for a Cause," also will be available. The shelter is at 91-1839 Roosevelt Ave., Building 1142, in Kapolei.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

More poverty on Big Island

The Big Island continues to lead the state in the level of poverty among residents.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Thursday that according to Census Bureau figures, nearly 15 percent of Big Island residents lived in poverty last year. Statewide the figure is 10 percent.

Among school-age children last year, almost 19 percent of Big Island children ages 5 to 17 lived in families experiencing poverty. Statewide, almost 13 percent of children lived in poor families.

Nonprofit food banks are seeing an increase in need.

Hawaii County Food Basket Operations Manager Better Beck says about 5 percent more people are seeking food aid this year, compared with 2009.