Pierside ceremony canceled for Navy ship

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A pierside welcoming ceremony at Hilo Harbor was canceled Friday after the guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon was not able to access the pier.

A pierside welcoming ceremony at Hilo Harbor was canceled Friday after the guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon was not able to access the pier.

Chief John Hageman of the Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs Office could not say what led to the cancellation, saying that more information would be forthcoming.

The ship had been scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m. to participate in a welcoming ceremony to begin a weekend-long visit in Hilo for the Merrie Monarch Festival.

The sailors aboard the ship, along with Capt. Mark Manfredi, were scheduled to attend the hula competitions and participate with the Pacific Fleet Band in the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade on Saturday.

There was no word whether the sailors will still be able to attend the Merrie Monarch events.

Check back at www.hawaiitribune-herald.com for more information.