Hawai'i's first baby born this year may also be the earliest arrival of the decade, but he actually was a little late.

Parents Salvador Torres Jr. and Claudia Torres were expecting their son, Ethyn Adrian Torres, on Dec. 30. Instead he held out until New Year's Day and was born at 12:07 a.m. at Tripler Army Medical Center.

The couple, of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and originally from Chicago, said after learning about their first child's distinction, they couldn't believe it.

"I thought it was a joke," laughed Salvador, 20, a lance corporal. "But it's true."

The couple arrived at Tripler at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday after Claudia Torres' water broke. They said the thought of their son being the first baby born in Hawai'i this year hadn't even crossed their minds at that point.

"It was, like, a long way to go," said Claudia, 18. "We didn't think much of it."

LONG LABOR

At about 7 a.m. on Thursday, Claudia began experiencing mild contractions, which got stronger throughout the day. She began pushing at around 11 p.m. After about an hour, Ethyn arrived, weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and 20 inches long.

"It was easier than I thought," Claudia said, of the labor and delivery. "I thought it was going to be more painful."

The couple said their son isn't named after anyone in the family; they just really liked the name.

"We had seen that someone spelled it 'yn' (rather than 'Ethan') and we liked it because it was different," Claudia said. "Not a lot of people have it spelled that way."

The Torres' extended family in Chicago are just as excited about the new addition.

"When I was in labor, they were calling me constantly," Claudia said. "They keep checking up on me and the baby."

They've also asked for copies of news reports about Ethyn, the couple said.

"It's the first grandchild in my family and first grandson in his family, so it's kind of a big thing," Claudia said.

Hawai'i's first baby of 2010 or not, the couple said, they're just happy Ethyn has finally arrived.

"It's amazing," Salvador said as he gazed at his son.

"He's here," Claudia added, smiling and cradling her swaddled newborn. "It's been nine months that I've carried him, and it's amazing having him already here with us."