We asked readers,
"Can you design a quarter
that represents Hawaii?"
In 2008 the U.S. Mint will release the last five of its 50 state quarters, a project it started in 1999 with Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut. In keeping with releasing five coins a year in order of statehood, Hawaii's quarter will be the last one released, just as Delaware's was the first.
Tom Smyth, as administrator of the Office of Strategic Policy Analysis for the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, is the Hawaii Quarter Coordinator for the mint's 50 State Quarters project. Smyth says the design process for the quarters has changed.
"Most of the first 25 state designs were prepared in a variety of ways (professional designer competition, children's contest, etc.) that resulted in 3-5 designs being selected by a design review committee set up by the governor (or other designated state official)," which then would be submitted to the mint, Smyth said. "That approach has changed and now the governor or other state official can conduct a process or competition to select three to five thematic approaches to a design. This might include a natural resources theme, or a historical one, or an economic products approach." While the new process doesn't allow a state to submit a design, the state can include suggestions such as to which natural resources or historical figures should be included.
Hawaii might decide "We want a historical theme about the Hawaiian monarchy," for instance. The submission to the mint could include an explanation about who should be represented. Whatever the theme, the mint takes that information and works with the state to produce a design that is viable in appearance, historical accuracy and engraveability. Once the mint has a rough design (or perhaps two or three), it goes to the mint's Coinage Advisory Committee, then to the Treasury secretary.
Finally, the mint sends its candidate designs to the state. The state can choose the final design from the mint's candidates however it wants to (government committee, public opinion survey, televised vote or whatever). One hopes the state will include citizens in choosing the winning design.
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"I think this quarter design displays the true meaning of Hawaii, the beauty, ohana and, most of all, the old-Hawaii aloha. -- Danny Sachs
"Since Hawaii's quarter will be issued in the latter part of 2008, the theme and design process will begin in early 2006, and be completed at least 2 years before the date of issuance," Smyth said.
The Mint releases five state quarters each year. In 2008, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Alaska will precede Hawaii. See www.usmint.gov for more information about the 50 State Quarters project.
Our readers submitted their designs for Hawaii's quarter:
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"The powerful stance of the hula dancer, combined with the simple elegance of the honu petroglyph, will make our state quarter memorable and truly representative." -- Summer Lei Shidler
"One is fairly obvious and that is to go with the most recognizable symbol of Hawaii, that being Diamond Head with a scene of Waikiki beach sprawled in front of it. Another idea would be to put a picture of the Kamehameha statue with some kahilis or other Hawaiian items around him." -- Robert Sepulveda
"Not having been blessed with an artist's eye or hand, I will have to describe my idea for the Hawaii quarter. First and foremost, I think a depiction of Diamond Head should be in the center of the coin. Emanating out of it and arcing to the left should be a complete rainbow. Above the peak of Diamond Head should be the face of Queen Liliuokalani facing the rainbow. Under Diamond Head should be the words 'The Aloha State.' If the face of the queen would not be feasible, maybe it could be replaced with hibiscus blooms." -- Cliff Burton
"We have one already. Go to a coin shop and buy a Hawaiian Kingdom "two bit" piece. Why reinvent the wheel?" -- Tom Baty
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"The island chain floats on the sea of the U.S. flag that supports our democratic processes. The nui (coconut) trees offer ... all those things in our past Hawaiian traditions." -- Caroline Kim
"My ideal design for a quarter would include the major Hawaiian Islands in the background and King Kamehameha's statue in the foreground with the state motto on the bottom of the coin." -- Ed Fountain
"Of course the Hawaiian quarter should have either a pineapple, a hibiscus plant or a profile of Diamond Head. That's my 2 cents on the quarter." -- Charlie Crino
"I suggest a surfer on a big wave, with Diamond Head in the background. I'm glad you're there, and I wish I was, too." -- Gil Dickerson, Maryland
"Some of my ideas would be: The Hokulea (canoe) and the star with a hibiscus; statue of King Kamehameha, mountain in background or the ocean; Iolani Palace." -- Pieter Makana Vliet
"SPAM can, Aloha Tower, rainbow, pineapple." -- Helga Balogh, visitor from Michigan
"A surfer coming out through a curl of water, still standing on his/her surfboard." -- Nancy B. Hall-Gerrell
"Sell the rights to advertise on Hawaii's quarter to the highest bidder each year (leasehold). In Oregon, there has been some side chatter about this option to raise money for schools and other services." -- Todd Boulanger
"The back of Hawaii's quarter should be the view from the back seat of a car as the driver flips the bird. Or politicians laughing as they deposit 'campaign contributions."' Or the potholes that still exist on Kalia Road where you turn into Hilton Hawaiian Village. Or the high-end clothing clones sold at Aloha Stadium flea market. Or the Kamehameha Schools trustees laughing all the way to the bank. Or Sen. Cal Kawamoto putting lock and key on the Campaign Spending Committee. All represent Hawaii. Actually, a tasteful combination of Aloha Tower, statue of Kamehameha and Iolani Palace would be nice. An outrigger canoe could be tastefully placed across the bottom. I think a portrait of myself would be out of the question, however, no matter how great the call for such an item." -- Arnold Van Fossen
Some readers sent drawings. In a design submitted by Grant O'Donnell: On top, eight stars represent the islands; Iolani Palace on left, Kamehameha Statue on right, and a surf board at the bottom, with "Best in world, Kailua Beach" written beneath.
The design submitted by Monica Lewis has 25 Kona coffee beans in the center, with "In Caffeine We Trust" above and "2004 Hawaii" beneath.
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First Star-Bulletin
quarter contest came up tailsBack in 1997, when the state-quarter idea was launched, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin held a "Two-Bit Contest" for Hawaii's design. The finalists all received rolls of quarters for their efforts.
The winner, chosen by the public, was retired printer Joseph Chung of Kaneohe. The Star-Bulletin created a highly detailed rendering of Chung's design -- the Hawaiian flag and date of admission -- and passed it on to then-Gov. Ben Cayetano's office for consideration.
"I thought the simplest and most visible element would be the Hawaiian flag," Chung said at the time.
Once the basic concept was decided upon, Chung said he didn't do much else except research antique Hawaiian coins in the state library to make sure the design was appropriate.
The U.S. Mint has since altered the rules for submitting designs and Hawaii will be starting from scratch.
Four quarters cost more than $1
What to look for if you want to collect state quarters:U.S. coins are minted in Philadelphia or Denver. Generally, coins that have a "D" on them were minted in Denver; those minted in Pennsylvania (the main mint) are blank. However, the state quarters, including Hawaii's, have either a "P" or a "D" on them. That's two Hawaii quarters for you to collect.
But that's not all. San Francisco makes the "proof" coins, which you can buy from the U.S. Mint. These coins are engraved with an "S". The two types of proof coins are clad (shiny, with a mirror finish) and silver (shinier, mirror finish, more expensive than clad). That's two more Hawaii quarters you can collect.
So each state actually has four types of coins you can collect: P, D, and two types of S. But most collectors probably will go for three, because the silver proof coins can be quite expensive. See www.usmint.gov for more information.
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[ BRAINSTORM! ]
Does Honolulu need a city museum,
and what should be in it?Does history matter? If so, whose history? Bishop Museum is one of the leading cultural museums in the United States, but it is not a history center. Honolulu seems to be the only state capital city without a municipal museum. Does Honolulu need a city museum? What should be in it? Where should it be? Should such a museum be a collection of artifacts or a learning center? Would such a museum be geared for Hawaii education or for entertaining tourists?
Send your ideas by March 17 to:
Or mail them to:
Brainstorm!
c/o Nancy Christenson
Star-Bulletin
500 Ala Moana
7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813Fax:
Brainstorm!
c/o Nancy Christenson
529-4750
