The ship's 5,000 sailors, plus the roughly 1,200 crew from accompanying vessels, will provide on-call air support to coalition troops on the ground in Iraq, the carrier's leaders said.

The ship will also assist with security and surveillance for U.S. forces.

"We'll go over through the western Pacific and out into to the Arabian Gulf," said Capt. Ted Branch, the Nimitz's commander. "Between here and there, we will do some training and some interaction with some other countries to promote interoperability and cooperation at sea," Branch said.

Through Friday, though, the sailors will be resting and relaxing in the islands.

Hundreds of sailors, many dressed in aloha shirts and shorts, filed off the Nimitz after it docked midday to hit the beach and go golfing.

"Many (of the crew) are young and have never been to Hawai'i before, so they're very enthusiastic," Branch said. "Obviously, it's a great place to visit."

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Molder, of Pocatello, Idaho, said he planned "see the sights" while in Hawai'i.

"We only have one day in port, so we're going to try to do what we can," Molder said.

His friend, Shaun Eggleston, a fellow petty officer from Orrville, Ohio, said they would golf, maybe catch a movie, and get something to eat.

The Nimitz, which boasts a 4.5-acre flight deck and is as tall as an 18-story building, is among the world's largest battleships.