Skipper proud as Louisville’s crew returns

The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Louisville returned home to Pearl Harbor on Saturday after a six-month deployment to the western Pacific and Indian oceans.

The vessel traveled nearly 40,000 miles, with stops in Yokosuka, Japan, and Singapore.

Louisville completed a range of undersea operations and training exercises and took part in several multinational exercises, the Navy said in a release.

"I’m immensely proud and impressed by the milestones achieved by members of the crew throughout the deployment," said the sub’s skipper, Cmdr. Bob Figgs, a native of Kaneohe.

The voyage allowed the crew to improve skills in anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, Figgs said.

Three officers and 20 enlisted sailors became submarine qualified and are now able to wear their respective submarine warfare pins, or "dolphins." Also, 17 sailors advanced in rank, 10 re-enlisted, and two were selected for commissioning programs.

Meanwhile, the Pearl Harbor-based guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon arrived off Hilo Friday to take part in events surrounding the Merrie Monarch Festival. But Navy spokesman Chief Petty Officer John Hageman says the ship’s captain and the harbor pilot decided it wasn’t safe to pull into Hilo Harbor because it is too shallow.

Police seek tips on stolen drum

Police on Hawaii island are investigating the theft of a $1,000 chu-daiko drum stolen last month from the Boy Scout camp on Stainback Highway. Police said the burglary occurred between March 18 and March 22.

Anyone with information about the burglary or about the location of the stolen drum is asked to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Alumni group gets big mahalo

Kauai High School held a thank-you rally Friday for an alumni group that has donated $148,000 to the school.

Kauai County Council member JoAnn Yukimura presented a proclamation to the Kauai High School Foundation Founders’ Society in the school gym, the Garden Island reported. She said the group’s generosity and example "will enable Kauai High School to continue to support and challenge its students to be the best they can be in the Kauai High School tradition of excellence and service."

Money donated to the KHS Foundation goes to school programs and projects, including a technology center under construction.

The ceremony was a continuation of the school’s 100-year anniversary on Sept. 14, when the Founder’s Society presented a bronze plaque bearing the names of its members.

The proclamation will be framed next to the plaque in the administration building.

"I’m very thankful and appreciative of the alumni foundation," said Bill Arakaki, Kauai schools superintendent.