The USS Hawaii, the third Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine in the Navy's arsenal, is expected to be delivered today, several weeks ahead of schedule.

General Dynamics Electric Boat will mark the event with a ceremony in Groton, Conn. The Hawaii is expected to be formally commissioned by the Navy in the spring and, after final outfitting, will be based at Pearl Harbor.

The eventual arrival of the Hawaii — the first of up to three of the new subs expected at Pearl Harbor — comes as the Navy prepares to tilt the balance of nuclear submarines from the Atlantic to the Pacific to meet a changing threat.

METERS ON WAY OUT AT PARKING LOT

Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday signed off on a law that will convert Kaimuki's largest parking lot from coin-fed meters to an attendant operation.

Beginning early next year, weekday parking in city-owned Kaimuki Lot 1, between 11th and 12th avenues, will cost 75 cents per hour for the first two hours, with the rate doubling to $1.50 an hour after that. A grace period of 20 minutes is included for quick errands and pickups. The weekend and holiday rate will be 75 cents an hour, which is the current rate.

EMPLOYEE HURT IN STORE HOLDUP

An employee of L&P Drive Inn was struck on the head with an object Wednesday night by a gunman during a holdup in Nanakuli.

The victim was not seriously injured. The robbery at 87-1650 Farrington Highway was reported to police at 9:25 p.m. Police have made no arrests in the case.

MAKAPU'U

EMPTY BOAT LEADS TO SHORT SEARCH

Firefighters from the Waimanalo station conducted a search yesterday evening after a skiff was found anchored near Rabbit Island, north of Makapu'u Point.

With no reports of anyone missing or boats overdue, and no evidence of trouble in the water, firefighters called off the 30-minute search at 6:30 p.m., said HFD spokesman Capt. Sigmund Oka. The skiff's engine contained no fuel, Oka said.