The Coast Guard will be conducting an early evening drill today in Honolulu Harbor involving firing of blank ammunition and a search-and-rescue operation.

The drill from 5:30-6 p.m. will feature a helicopter, Coast Guard small boats, pyrotechnics and the sounds of automatic weapons. The Coast Guard has worked with state Harbor Division police and maritime industry partners to minimize the disruption to vessel traffic in the harbor, officials said.

The exercise will involve a search-and-rescue hoist evolution between an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter and Coast Guard small boat, and a security demonstration involving Coast Guard small boats and an unmarked "target boat."

Visible and loud gunfire sounds — all Coast Guard units are using blanks — and pyrotechnics may be observed by Honolulu residents and commuters.