He Kumulipo - The Birth of Hawaii

Posted on 19 Nov 2017 @ 6:11am by Captain Akio Tachibana & Lieutenant Commander Darren Marian (Dec-Jan 2389 - WIA-TRNSFR to XFY Medical) & Lieutenant Nimh Ahressa (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR, Bre'el Dip. Msn.) & Vice Admiral Anin
Edited on on 19 Nov 2017 @ 6:15am

Mission: He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: Observation Platform - Providence Fleet Yards
Timeline: 25 Dec 2388

The Kumulipo is an 18th-century chant in the Hawaiian language telling a creation story. It also includes a genealogy of the members of Hawaiian royalty and was created in honor of Kalaninuiamamao (a prince of the Big Island of Hawai'i) and passed down orally to his daughter Alapaiwahine (a Princess of the Island of Hawai'i and great-grandmother of King David Kalākaua and Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani).

Many cultures have their own beliefs on how the earth came to be created. He Kumulipo means "a source of darkness or origin". In some cultures, children are brought up thinking that the dark is a bad place, one to avoid. Ancient Hawaiians thought of it as a place of creation.

Providence Fleet Yards - Observation Platform

Akio was in his dress uniform as were most Starfleet personnel. He was still getting used to his third full pip. He held an ad hoc promotion ceremony with some friends who happened to be at Providence Fleet Yards or the myriad units around TF93 Command.

Today was the day of another celebration though: Hawaii's commissioning. His command would be launched and the crew of the Hawaii would make history. Not since the Dominion War had vessels been commissioned direct to war action.

As Akio arrived at the ceremony before it started, he noted the irony of Providence Fleet Yards, an old K-class station, launching the latest Sovereign-class cruiser.

The dry dock was just outside one of the orbital platforms and a stage had been constructed in front of the large windows of the platform, overlooking the dormant vessel.

Akio took his position off stage and greeted fellow distinguished visitors as protocol officers buzzed about. A LT, also in dress uniform stepped up to the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Lieutenant Severio and will be your master of ceremonies for today's ceremony. We will be beginning the ceremony shortly, so please place your comm badges in silent mode," the MC announced.

There was some rustle amid the crowd. It was not as big as other commissioning ceremonies, but still respectable. Behind the crowd was the crew in formation. Akio only recognized a few faces, Thomas and Sthilg standing out like a sore thumb, largely because of their green appearance, and then a short fur ball of sorts in Zim. The full crew complement still had not arrived yet.

Akio did notice his XO had arrived who was posted in front of the formation. He seemed to be a respectable LT, although he was surprised that Starfleet had not sent a Lieutenant Commander.

"Ladies and gentlemen, a ship's commissioning is a time-honored military tradition dating back to the 18th century. Today, we are commissioning the USS Hawaii, a Sovereign-class vessel.

"The Sovereign-class starship was born out of the necessity for more combat oriented starships to help combat the Borg Collective, yet keep host to a wide variety of exploratory and diplomatic missions during peacetime.

"The USS Hawaii derives its namesake from an archipelago of tropical islands off the coast of California. Some say the islands are paradise in the Pacific. The islands served as an important naval base in history and was one of the most diverse states in the historic United States of America.

"She is the first starship to bear the name and the first crew of the Hawaii will be known as plankowners, those who served since her first day of service.

"At this time, please rise for the arrival of the official party and remain standing for the opening of the ceremony by Kai Keali'i Ho'omalu, posting of the colors, and the Federation Anthem," the booming voice of the MC echoed throughout the hall.

With that, Akio came to attention along with the rest of the distinguished visitors.

LT Marian came to attention and commanded, "Ship's company, TENCH-HUT!"

The formation snapped to attention before the distinguished visitors ascended the stage and stood before their seats.

A color guard came onto stage and stood next to the podium with the Federation Flag, the Starfleet Flag, and two security crew holding ceremonial phaser rifles on each side.

Then an older gentleman with olive skin stepped onto stage carrying a shell. That was not the oddest part, rather he was in ceremonial tribal robes and had a leaf sash and crown made of flowers. Akio recognized the garb as traditional Hawaiian dress and was proud that protocol had put this together despite a rushed timeline.

After he centered himself on stage, he started chanting in a native language Akio presumed was Hawaiian because he could not understand any of it. A drum was also beat off stage. Akio had briefly looked up the culture of the Hawaiians after he knew he would take command of a ship that bore the name Hawaii, so Akio recognized that this opening chant was in thanks to the Gods and often done as tradition during ceremonies.

After the chant was over, the gentleman blew into the shell four times, producing a horn sound, turning 90 degrees each time.

LT Marian commanded the formation, "Ship's Company, PRESENT ARMS!"

The color guard dipped the Starfleet Flag as a crew member in Starfleet dress uniform stepped up to the podium and sang the Federation Anthem.

At the first note, all Starfleet personnel saluted the Federation Flag.

After the Anthem, the Starfleet personnel dropped their salutes as the color guard turned and placed the flags into the bases on the stage in ceremonial fashion and departed.

"At this time, we will render honors to our presiding officer: Vice Admiral Anin, Commanding Officer of Task Force 93, Bravo Fleet."

The formation was still saluting as the Vice Admiral stepped forward and traditional military music played over the speakers.

Again, at the first note, Starfleet personnel saluted the Vice Admiral. Akio instantly knew this was ruffles and flourishes, a military tradition to flag officers. Each "star" resulted in one ruffle and flourish rendered to the senior-most flag officer at official ceremonies. While Starfleet had moved beyond stars in favor of boxed pips, the tradition remained.

After the end of the last flourish, the personnel dropped their salutes as Vice Admiral Anin stepped back to her seat.

"Please be seated," the MC allowed.

LT Marian's command of "Ship's Company, PARADE HEST!" echoed through the hall as he placed the formation at parade rest.

"Please join me in welcoming our distinguished visitors: Vice Admiral Anin, Commanding Officer of Task Force 93, Bravo Fleet..."

The crowd clapped their hands as Akio started to soak in the whole scene. He had only attended one other commissioning ceremony under very different circumstances. He sized up his crew and was proud to serve with them since Day 1 of the Hawaii's service.

The MC introduced several other distinguished visitors, mostly Starfleet Personnel including the fleet yard commander and R&D.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Vice Admiral Anin," the MC introduced the Admiral who stepped to the podium to deliver her speech.

Taking a step forward, Anin's calm expression looked at the people that stood there "Officers, Engineers, Contractors and Command personnel standing before me. To deliver this wonderful vessel to the stars and let it sail into the unknown. We might be in troubling times, but I know that this vessel is in the hands of gifted people," Anin took a deep breath, "As my predecessors would say in the tradition of Task Force 93 to this ritual 'Go out there, explore the unknown and make us proud!'" She took a step back.

The MC announced on his mic, "Ladies and gentlemen, Vice Admiral Anin will now place the USS Hawaii in commission. Please rise."

Marian ordered the formation to attention.

"On behalf of the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United Federation of Planets, I hereby place the United Federation of Planets Starship Hawaii in commission," VADM Anin said.

Akio had stood and once VADM Anin finished, he approached her and saluted. She returned the salute and returned to her seat.

"Executive officer, hoist the colors and the commissioning pennant," Akio ordered.

"Hoist the colors and the commissioning pennant, aye aye, sir!" Marian saluted and turned to a Chief. "Quartermaster, hoist the colors and the commissioning pennant," Marian ordered.

A crewman stepped forward and saluted, "Aye, aye sir."

Starships did not sail flags, yet the tradition was there. Next to the formation was a traditional ship mast that served as a flag pole. The shape was the same seen around docks and resembled a ship's mast, just on shore.

The Quartermaster hoisted the Federation Flag along with a small commissioning pennant denoting the Hawaii placed into service.

Once done, the Quartermaster reported to Marian that the colors and pennant were hoisted.

Marian saluted, "Captain, the colors are hoisted and flying over the USS Hawaii."

"Very well," Akio said as he returned the salute. He turned back to the podium.

"I will now read my orders. From Chief of Starfleet Personnel to Lieutenant Commander Akio Tachibana, Starfleet Order Number 224, when directed, detach USS Mississippi and proceed to pre-commissioning unit USS Hawaii for duties in conjunction with outfitting and commissioning USS Hawaii. Upon commission, report as commanding officer," Akio turned to VADM Anin.

"Vice Admiral Anin, USS Hawaii is in commission and I am in command," Akio saluted.

VADM Anin returned the salute.

"Executive Officer, set the watch," Akio ordered.

"Set the watch, aye, aye, sir," Marian saluted and then turned to LT Nimh, "Officer of the Deck, set the first watch."

Nimh saluted, "Set the watch, aye, aye sir." She led some crewman to the stage and they stood in single file next to the podium. Akio had returned to his seat.

"The Officer of the Deck is the representative of the Commanding Officer's direct representative and while on watch is responsible for the safety and smooth operation of the ship and her crew," explained the MC.

"The long glass is the traditional symbol of an Officer of the Deck's authority on a ship of the line. We are honored to have Captain Pinellas, Chief of Operations, Providence Fleet Yards, here today to assist in setting the first watch. He will pass the ship's long glass to the first Officer of the Deck, Lieutenant Nimh Ahressa of Bajor," the MC explained.

Captain Pinellas stood and passed the long glass to Nimh who saluted. The Captain returned the salute and went back to his seat.

"The Petty Officer of the Watch is Operations Specialist First Class V'rel of Vulcan. The Messenger of the Watch is Yeoman Second Class Atsit Grantonn of Rura Penthe. The Boatswain's Mate of the Watch is Boatswain's Mate Third Class Marco Velasquez of Risa," the MC introduced the rest of the watch.

Afterwards, Marco put a whistle to his lips and blew the Bosun's call.

"Set the watch, on deck section 1!" Marco announced.

"Sir, the watch is set!" Nimh saluted and reported to Marian.

"Very well," Marian returned the salute and the watch crew departed the stage.

"Captain, the watch is set," Marian reported to Akio and saluted.

"Very well," Akio said as he returned the salute.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated," the MC told the crowed as Marian placed the formation at parade rest. "At this time, the ship's sponsor, Princess Elizabeth Miller-Wilcox-La'anui-Kalokuokamaile will give the order to man the ship and bring her to life."

An elderly woman in civilian business attire went to the podium as Marian called the formation to attention. Akio had recognized her as the ship's sponsor but didn't even know she was Hawaiian, let alone a Princess. She had just introduced herself as Elizabeth.

"Hawaii is a unique culture with our own history through time. Yet there are many similarities to the Federation as both meet the challenges of adversity. I am reminded of the words of Queen Lili'uokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii: 'Onipa'a which translates to stand firm. With the name of Hawaii, the spirit of the islands will be carried in this ship as it sails the galaxy. It has been a privilege and honor to serve as the USS Hawaii's sponsor. I know for a fact that the monarchs of ancient times would not have guessed the name of their kingdom would be carried throughout space," the woman did her best to hold back tears.

"Officers and crew of the USS Hawaii, malama kekahi i kekahi. Take care of one another. Now man our ship and bring her to life!" She concluded.

The formation replied in force: "AYE AYE MA'AM!"

At that, traditional naval music played and the formation, with exception of Marian and the Quartermaster, ran in orderly fashion to the nearby shuttle bay.

Soon, shuttles were seen through the windows as they started to depart and dock with the USS Hawaii.

As soon as the first one landed, the lights of the ship illuminated along with the nacelles. In reality, the whole event had been more a piece of theater. There were of course crew members aboard who flicked some switches and 'turned the ship on,' yet the effect was still amazing.

"Captain, the USS Hawaii is manned and ready," Marian saluted.

"Very well," Akio said as he returned the salute and then turned to the Providence Fleet Yards Commodore, "Commodore, the Hawaii is manned and ready," Akio saluted.

Technically, the Commodore was the sector commander and the Hawaii was fell under his command. The Commodore stood and returned the salute. Akio then turned to Vice Admiral Anin.

"Vice Admiral Anin, I request your permission to break your flag," Akio said and saluted.

Breaking the flag was a naval term that referred to when an admiral, or flag officer, took command of a ship, the admiral's flag was raised.

"Break the flag," VADM Anin stood and ordered before returning the salute.

Akio asked the crowd to rise and turned to Marian, "Executive Officer, break the flag of the Commanding Officer of Task Force 93," he ordered.

"Aye, aye, sir," Marian saluted and turned to the Quartermaster, "Quartermaster, break the flag of the Commanding Officer of Task Force 93."

"Aye, aye, sir," the Quartermaster saluted as he raised the TF93 flag on the mast by the stage.

"Captain, the flag of the Commanding Officer of Task Force 93 is flying above the USS Hawaii," Marian reported as he saluted.

"Very well," Akio returned the salute and allowed the crowd to be seated.

"Ladies and gentlemen, while it is always a time for celebration when a new ship is commissioned, the Federation is facing ever increasing threats, as our Vice Admiral mentioned" Akio started his speech.

"We are facing a choice to continue to protect our allies and enforce peace in the galaxy or allow chaos and war to reign. I am honored to lead the USS Hawaii and her crew wherever our journey takes us."

Akio thanked the distinguished visitors and concluded his speech.

"As we embark on our first mission, there is no doubt we may be drawn into conflict and I am reminded of a Japanese military proverb: 'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.' As we face these threats, we must ensure we are doing so deliberately with peace in mind.

"What we are facing today is the result of decisions made years ago. We must act yet we must act with knowing that all of our actions have consequences," Akio concluded, "The greatest character is forged in times of difficulty and darkness."

The ceremony had ended and Akio felt the weight of command.

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CDR, SF
Commanding Officer, USS Hawaii

Darren Marian, LT, SF
Executive Officer, USS Hawaii

Nimh Ahressa, LT, SF
Chief Operations Officer, USS Hawaii

Cameo by:

Anin, VADM, SF
Commanding Officer, Task Force 93