DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM At a news conference yesterday, a Hawaii quarter rendering that illustrated the theme "Hawaii -- Diverse but Unified" was shown by Lauren Kamei, Laura Figueira, Haunani Apoliona, Malia Hitch and Wayne Watanabe.

U.S. Mint to focus on 5 Hawaii quarter themes

Gov. Lingle will make the final decision early next year after reviewing the designs

Hawaii's commemorative quarter will feature either surfing, aloha spirit, Diamond Head, "island state" or "Hawaii -- diverse but unified."

Those are the five themes Gov. Linda Lingle is submitting to the U.S. Mint for the quarter's design.

Members of the Hawaii Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission whittled the hundreds of ideas from the public to the five presented to Lingle yesterday.

"Each one for me captures Hawaii. I would be happy with any one of these," Lingle said.

Commission Chairman Jonathan Johnson said the members limited the number of design images for each theme to three.

The suggested design elements in three of the five themes include King Kamehameha I, even though none of the themes mentioned him.

"Kamehameha came up so much that it worked with certain other elements," Johnson said.

The eight major Hawaiian islands are suggested in four of the themes, and Diamond Head Crater in two.

The word aloha is a suggested in three themes, and the state motto in Hawaiian is in two.

For surfing, the theme is Hawaii's gift to the world. The suggested design elements are a surfer, Diamond Head, the island chain and the word "aloha." The narrative talks about surfing's origin in Hawaii and its part of the local culture.

A female hula dancer is the central design element for the aloha spirit theme. The other elements are the island chain and the word "aloha." The narrative discusses the importance of hula in the preservation of the Hawaiian culture and history.

The west profile of Diamond Head Crater is Hawaii's most recognizable land formation and a symbol of Hawaii to the rest of the world. The narrative for the Diamond Head theme discusses the origin of the crater's name, known to Hawaiians as Leahi, its military use in Oahu's coastal defense and designation as a national landmark and state monument. The other design elements are the statue of King Kamehameha I and the word "aloha."

The eight major Hawaiian islands make up the major design element of the theme "Hawaii, the island state." The other elements are the Kamehameha statue and the state motto in Hawaiian. The narrative talks about Hawaii's uniqueness as the country's only island state and discusses Kamehameha's role in unifying the islands into a single kingdom.

Johnson said the commissioners struggled with suggested design elements for the "diverse but unified" theme. They settled on the Kamehameha statue, the eight major Hawaiian islands and the state motto in Hawaiian. Haunani Apoliona, Office of Hawaiian Affairs chairwoman and a commission member, even had a rendering of the coin suggested by the theme. However, the U.S. Mint will not accept any designs.

The idea is based on the islands' biological and environmental diversity and the cultural diversity of Hawaii's people.

Commission adviser Marsha Wienert said the commission can expect to receive 10 to 12 suggested designs per theme from U.S. Mint artists at the beginning of next year. After a period of discussions with the artists, the commission will prioritize the designs for Lingle, who will make the final selection. Wienert said there might be an opportunity for the public to state its preference.

The Hawaii commemorative quarter is scheduled to be released in fall 2008.