"This is going to be Southern style," added Arkansas native Nancy Early, a teacher support specialist with Columbus Educational Services, an outfit that recruits special-education teachers for the public school system.

"We're going to have Southern ham, and corn-bread dressing, and I'm going to make a boatload of green beans. I brought cornmeal in from home in Monticello, Arkansas, because I cannot find (the right kind of) cornmeal here in Hawai'i."

Estes — who was instrumental in bringing the USS Missouri battleship and the USS Bowfin submarine to Hawai'i and was given his own tribute dinner aboard the Missouri on Nov. 17 — is no newcomer to providing Thanksgiving meals to those whose families are far away.

He's been doing it for most of his adult life.

"When I was on active duty in the Navy, if I could, I would promote a Thanksgiving meal for members of the crew," said Estes, who joined the Navy in 1934 and stayed in the service for 21 years.

When he got out of the military nearly a half century ago, he continued the Thanksgiving Day tradition.

"I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Thanksgiving because of my own boyhood growing up in Oklahoma," said Estes, who said the occasion was a major family event.

But Estes — who turns 90 on Dec. 13 and has lived in Hawai'i for more than two decades with Doris, his wife of more than 60 years — hadn't thought of doing Thanksgiving Southern style here until he met Early.

Early came to Hawai'i three years ago and moved into the building where Estes lives — the Chateau Waikiki. Estes promptly talked her into joining the Navy League, and last year they worked together to treat Russell sailors to Thanksgiving dinner in their building's party room.

Then, Early introduced Estes to Wai'anae High special-ed teacher Nola Mannino and her husband, Troy, who both hail from Louisiana.

The Manninos, who have six foster kids, thought the Southern hospitality might work a whole lot better at their own big house in Makakilo.

Estes loved the idea. So did Early. The Manninos invited friends who are teachers who also have foster children. So today the sailors, a dozen foster kids, 10 special-ed teachers and assorted stragglers will all be eating way too much in Makakilo.

"And they'll be eating a genuine Southern Thanksgiving dinner," said Early.

She did admit she'd be serving up four turkeys cooked the old-fashioned Hawaiian way — in an imu dug in the ground. But she was quick to point out that Hawai'i is in fact the southernmost state in the whole country.

Plus, imu turkey is so lip-smackin' good, it might as well be Southern, she added.