A conch shell is blown to signal the start of the annual bilateral training exercise Tiger Balm at the Hawaii National Guard Regional Training Institute, Waimanalo, Hawaii, July 10. Historically, the sounding of the conch shell, also known as the pu, was used to accompany chants, and most often used to announce the arrival of the Aliâ€™i or Hawaiian royalty, births and deaths, and the beginning of a ceremony. The training exercise is conducted to foster international military and cultural relationships between Singapore and the U.S. armed forces.