PEARL HARBOR — A state with a warrior tradition yesterday welcomed a 21st-century combatant to its shores: the Virginia-class submarine USS Hawai'i.

The state's new namesake submarine, a $2.5 billion technological marvel, was greeted accordingly when it pulled up to Pier Sierra 9 just after 10 a.m. to a reception of about 90 crew family members and more than 100 other invited guests.

The Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club performed a pierside chant and war song that had been sung by the warriors of King Kamehameha I as they prepared to go to battle in Waimea on the Big Island.

"We're thankful (the Hawai'i) is here to protect our nation," club member Clif Carpenter told the audience.

Also on display was the human side of the separation that comes from being at sea — in this case, the voyage from Groton, Conn., to Pearl Harbor.

A cheer rang out as the 377-foot black submarine came close to the pier with about 24 sailors standing at attention on the mostly submerged hull. About four command members looked on from the sail.

"Hi, Daddy!" shouted one small child as the sailors smiled back.

There also was a a fly-over by three F-15 fighters, a performance by young hula dancers, and a blessing and haka with koa spears.

Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny, who commands the U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine force, said it's been 30 years since Pearl Harbor has been home to a new class of submarine. Hawai'i is the first Virginia-class submarine to be based in the Pacific.

"USS Hawai'i is not just a good-looking boat with a great name," McAneny said. "It is exactly the submarine we need to face the challenges in the Pacific well into the 21st century."

Commissioned on May 5, 2007, Hawai'i was the third Virginia-class attack submarine built.

The sub and its 120-man crew left Connecticut in May and stopped in Florida and Georgia before passing through the Panama Canal. The sub arrived off Diamond Head yesterday morning.

Gov. Linda Lingle, the sub's "sponsor," went out by boat to greet the lei-draped Hawai'i as it came through the Pearl Harbor channel, and spent a few minutes aboard shaking hands with crew.

The ship follows in a tradition of submarines with Hawai'i-related names. Preceding the USS Hawai'i were the ballistic missile sub Kamehameha, and Los Angeles-class sub Honolulu.

Hawai'i is just the first of a succession of Virginia-class subs headed for Pearl Harbor. The Texas, North Carolina and California also will be home-ported here, officials said. Sixteen Los Angeles-class submarines already are based in Hawai'i.

Chrystal Robinson was reunited on the pier with her husband, Machinist Mate 3rd Class Eric Robinson, 22, after last seeing him in May.

Robert Darrin, who helps with navigation and also is 22, said the technology on the Hawai'i is "just amazing."

"There's a lot to see down the road," Darrin said. "I'm not sure what the (Pacific) has in store for us. I'm sure a lot of exciting things."

Much of the submarine forces' missions are clandestine. But some of the ship's features were shown to visitors by crew, including a topside lockout chamber that can hold 18 SEAL commandos.

Gone is the hull-penetrating periscope and viewing tradition known as "dancing with the one-eyed lady." "Photonics masts" now provide the view, with cameras operated by joystick.

With the removal of the periscope, the ship's control room was moved down one deck, creating more room. Modularity in the way up to 24 4,000-pound torpedoes or Tomahawk missiles are stored has freed up space for dozens of commandos.

At a crew reception, Hawai'i skipper Cmdr. Ed Herrington said he felt like a "rock star" with all the attention his crew received.

Lingle welcomed the crew as part of Hawai'i's 'ohana. She also acknowledged that some in the state oppose the military's presence but added that "on balance, there's overwhelming support in the state — we're very proud Americans here in Hawai'i."