POIPU — Sailors, soldiers and civilians will be gathering for a soiree tonight at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort &Spa in Poipu, celebrating the 243rd birthday of the U.S. Navy.
“This is an opportunity to join together with our friends in the community to celebrate the Navy’s history and heritage,” said Kaulana Finn, spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility.
A black-tie affair, the birthday ball is an annual event with entertainment and a menu of fresh foods, volcano-rubbed mahi mahi and huli huli chicken, and dessert.
“A commemoration and tribute to our friend Stu Burley will also be part of the evening’s honors,” Finn said.
Burley, a fixture on Kauai, passed away Aug. 18 at the age of 83. He was a dedicated veteran, a former Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board member, and participated in countless programs and projects at PMRF.
PMRF is one of Kauai’s largest employers with nearly 1,000 active-duty military, government civil service, and contractors.
In 2017, PMRF’s economic impact was estimated at $146.5 million, which includes $24.5 million in salary and benefits. PMRF also impacts the local visitor industry at about $2 million per major event on the range. In 2017, PMRF conducted seven major events, which generated $14 million for the visitor industry.
“Additionally, PMRF has supported disaster relief operations using immediate response authority during times of need in the community, including during the flooding on Kauai last spring,” Finn said.
PMRF is also a vital part of Navy Region Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Fleet, key to the nation’s defense and promoting security, stability and prosperity — ensuring the free flow of commerce to and from Hawaii.
For tickets to the Navy Birthday Ball, call 335-4626 or email sean.conkle@navy.mil.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or
jelse@thegardenisland.com.
