The USS Honolulu (SSN-718) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, and the third vessel in the U.S. Navy to bear the name of Hawaii’s capital. Construction of Honolulu was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, with the keel laid on November 10, 1981. She was launched on September 24, 1983, with Mrs. Joan B. Clark serving as sponsor, and officially commissioned on July 6, 1985, under the command of Commander Robert M. Mitchell. Honolulu featured distinctive split stern planes, each operated by independent hydraulic systems. This design provided enhanced operational redundancy, allowing the inboard and outboard planes to function separately. Such a configuration minimized the risk of uncontrolled dives caused by system failure, reflecting advanced engineering and safety considerations for submarine design. Throughout her service, Honolulu conducted multiple patrols, which were commemorated by ten surfboards signed by her crew. Seven of these surfboards are stored at Pearl Harbor, with the remaining three kept aboard the vessel. The submarine’s operational history concluded with a farewell ceremony at Pearl Harbor on April 15, 2006, attended by notable figures including Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Vice Admiral Jonathan Greenert. Following her final patrol, Honolulu was decommissioned on November 2, 2007, and entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington. The forward section of Honolulu was transferred to the USS San Francisco in 2008 to aid in repairs after San Francisco’s 2005 grounding incident. This unusual salvage effort was completed on October 20, 2008. Despite her decommissioning, Honolulu is featured in the 2008 naval thriller, "Black Sea Affair," highlighting her enduring maritime significance.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.