President-elect Barack Obama will have a Commander in Chief's Ball during his inauguration with military personnel, their spouses and those wounded fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan as guests.

In announcing this yesterday, officials said that tickets for the Jan. 20 military-only ball will be free to guests. The formal event will be at the National Building Museum in Washington.

"They deserve our thanks and our gratitude. Michelle and I look forward to attending the Commander in Chief's Ball and sharing this special evening with representatives of our armed forces," Obama said in a statement released on the final day of his Hawai'i vacation.

Officials have not yet determined how tickets will be distributed.

BIG ISLE STUDENTS ARE D.C.-BOUND

HILO, Hawai'i — Twelve Waiakea High School students will attend the inauguration of Barack Obama.

The 11 seniors and one junior began planning for the trip about four years ago, back when they had no idea Obama was to be sworn in on Jan. 20. The group will witness Obama taking the oath of office and delivering his inaugural address. They will get to watch the inaugural parade. The students also will visit the White House and Supreme Court, and meet members of Congress.

The Waiakea teens are getting the opportunity as participants in a weeklong educational program for students in Washington, called "Close-Up."

60,000 APPLY TO BE VOLUNTEERS

An unprecedented 60,000 people have sent applications to the Presidential Inaugural Committee to volunteer for activities surrounding the swearing-in of Barack Obama — even if it means simply giving directions or friendly hellos to out-of-towners at airports and Metro stops.

The committee needs 15,000 to 18,000 volunteers, officials said. That's three times as many as were called upon for the inaugurations of George W. Bush.

Officials have thinned the applicant pool to about 27,000, said Tripp Wellde, the committee's director of volunteers, but applications keep coming in on the committee's Web site, with a deadline set for today at 6:59 p.m., Hawai'i time.

Applications are on the Presidential Inaugural Committee's Web site, www.pic2009.org.