U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, left, and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, right, got a preview yesterday of Hawaii's 50th-anniversary statehood stamp from U.S. Postmaster General John Potter. The stamp by Herb Kawainui Kane will be out in the summer. COURTESY PHOTO
By Star-Bulletin staff
Traditional Hawaiian ocean sports are depicted on a new postage stamp unveiled yesterday in Washington, D.C.
The stamp, designed by Hawaii artist and historian Herb Kane, will be released in August to commemorate Hawaii's 50th anniversary of statehood.
A surfer on a longboard and two paddlers in an outrigger canoe are depicted riding a wave to shore on the stamp of vivid blue, red and gold.
U.S. Postmaster General John Potter gave U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie a preview of the design.
"Celebrating our statehood in 1959, the symbolism is powerful, portraying a people set on course for a prosperous life in the new state of Hawaii," Akaka said in a news release.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation naming Hawaii the 50th state on Aug. 21, 1959, following approval by Congress and a plebiscite of Hawaii citizens.
Abercrombie said, "Herb Kawainui Kane has done a masterful job of expressing the beauty and energy of Hawaii's special relationship with the sea."
The stamp will be formally announced next month when the U.S. Postal Service unveils its 2009 stamp designs.
A special First Day of Issue event will be held in Honolulu in August.
Traditional Hawaiian ocean sports are depicted on a new postage stamp unveiled yesterday in Washington, D.C.
The stamp, designed by Hawaii artist and historian Herb Kane, will be released in August to commemorate Hawaii's 50th anniversary of statehood.
A surfer on a longboard and two paddlers in an outrigger canoe are depicted riding a wave to shore on the stamp of vivid blue, red and gold.
U.S. Postmaster General John Potter gave U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie a preview of the design.
"Celebrating our statehood in 1959, the symbolism is powerful, portraying a people set on course for a prosperous life in the new state of Hawaii," Akaka said in a news release.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation naming Hawaii the 50th state on Aug. 21, 1959, following approval by Congress and a plebiscite of Hawaii citizens.
Abercrombie said, "Herb Kawainui Kane has done a masterful job of expressing the beauty and energy of Hawaii's special relationship with the sea."
The stamp will be formally announced next month when the U.S. Postal Service unveils its 2009 stamp designs.
A special First Day of Issue event will be held in Honolulu in August.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/hawaiinews/20081118_Isle_statehood_stamp_features_ocean_sports.html
