With some 25,000 armed forces personnel here for the annual RIMPAC exercise, a Fourth of July holiday that could involve another free-for-all “floatilla” party off Waikiki and a forecast that calls for 2- to 3-foot waves along Oahu’s South Shore today, officials from three levels of government are urging everyone to practice aloha this Independence Day.

“Show aloha to these (military) members as they go about their lives here, and enjoy the great outdoors, and many of them brought their families,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Tuesday at a press conference flanked by federal, state and city officials.

“Sometimes they get lost, or sometimes they may not know how to act appropriately in a local setting,” Caldwell said. “Give some understanding and forgiveness and maybe even some help so that they feel welcome and that they understand how the proper ways to act are.”

Conversely, service members should be reminded to “show respect and try to be as cautious and careful as possible,” he said.

He noted that Seaman Shaun Palmer, a Navy hospital corpsman based at Kaneohe Bay, had been missing since the weekend, and he urged Oahu residents, military personnel and visitors to be on the lookout for him.

Caldwell also pointed out that a number of people required rescue by city emergency medical personnel last year, including 10 people who were hospitalized because “they were so wasted that they couldn’t swim.”

Jim Howe, the city’s Emergency Services director, warned beachgoers not to enter the ocean when they’re drinking alcohol. “It can be a deadly mix,” he said. “Be careful because your judgment can be impaired.”

Ocean dwellers should be aware that surf up to 3 feet is expected to continue through today along the South Shore, Howe said. Wind will be about 10-12 miles an hour, “so we’re not going to have a wind issue like we had last year,” he said. “But nonetheless, it’s going to be hot and humid.”

Caldwell’s comments were echoed by Police Chief Susan Ballard. “This is the Aloha State, so we want to make sure that we show aloha not just to our military partners, but also to each other,” she said.

“So if you’re down in Waikiki, or anywhere, and you see somebody in trouble, whether they’ve had too much to drink or they look disoriented or they just need help, take the time to help them,” Ballard said. “If you don’t feel comfortable helping them, then please call 911 and have the police come.”

Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, said all RIMPAC participants were briefed on safety and cultural awareness. Nearly 100 shore patrol officers fan out each night to help Honolulu Police Department officers maintain safety, he said.

Jason Redulla, deputy enforcement chief for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, said officers from his agency will be patrolling near-shore waters to enforce boating rules and ensure people going to the beach have an “event-free experience.”