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Isle lighthouse graces postage stamp

The set with Diamond Head Lighthouse went on sale yesterday

Diamond Head Lighthouse -- a sentinel for mariners for more than 100 years -- joined four other Pacific beacons in a new five-stamp set that went on sale nationwide yesterday.

"This is special for the Coast Guard, the Postal Service and the state of Hawaii," Honolulu Postmaster Frank Santos said.

Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku was the last Hawaii icon to be featured on a stamp, in 2002.

Each year, more than 30,000 stamp suggestions are sent to the Postal Service advisory committee for review, and only about two dozen are chosen, Santos said.

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, commander of the 14th Coast Guard District, left, and Mrs. Hawaii 2007 Nadine Wise had a look at the new U.S. postal stamp bearing the likeness of the Diamond Head Lighthouse yesterday during unveiling ceremonies. CLICK FOR LARGE

Each stamp features an original acrylic painting by Howard Koslow based on recent photographs of the lighthouses.

Diamond Head Lighthouse stands 147 feet above sea level and can be seen as far away as 18 nautical miles or just more than 20 statute miles.

"It's a beautiful piece of history," said Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, commander of the 14th Coast Guard District. "(The lighthouse) has cultural significance. ... It kept mariners safe."

Brice-O'Hara, who shared the history of the lighthouse at the ceremony, said it was built in 1899 and replace by a new structure in 1918. The lighthouse was automated in 1924, and in 1980 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The commemorative booklet and print set costs $18.95 and features intriguing facts, placeholders to mount matching stamps, and a pocket containing five art prints. The package also includes a strip of five Pacific Lighthouses stamps.

Stamps can be purchased at any post office nationwide. To order by phone, call (800) STAMP24.