CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Artist Fabienne Blanc stood yesterday with "Na Pua Onaona," the painting of a Manoa plumeria that appears on the cover of the new Verizon phone book. With her is Verizon Hawaii President Mel Horikami.

Phone book recycling contest
blooms anew at Verizon

The cover of Verizon Hawaii's new phone book, to be distributed next week on Oahu, features a painting of a spray of white plumeria growing in Manoa, a symbol of the beauty of Hawaii, says watercolorist Fabienne Blanc.

How to enter Schools interested in participating in the telephone book recycling contest can call Yvonne Miranda at 546-7335. Island Recycling, where the phone books are to be dropped off, is at 50 Sand Island Access Road and can be reached at 845-1188.

At the unveiling of the 31st cover of Verizon's directory, Blanc said she was honored to be chosen as the artist this year and "have my work seen in so many homes."

The 20-year resident, originally from the south of France, based the painting on photos she took of plumeria in Manoa, where she lives.

Verizon also announced the re-instatement of a recycling contest for public and private schools, coordinated by the state Department of Education and the Island Recycling Center on Sand Island.

Melvin Horikami, Verizon president, said the recycling contest would "teach our kids about the importance of caring for our environment."

Prizes will be awarded based on the most telephone books collected by a school, with the first-place honor worth $2,000 and the next five awards ranging from $1,000 to $100. The contest will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 31.

Horikami said phone books from all companies, not only Verizon's, would be welcome for collection. "Bring them all," he said.

Horikami also encouraged schools to approach hotels and big businesses for their old phone books for recycling.

The recycling program went on a four-year hiatus when the new directories were distributed during the summer, making it inconvenient for school participation, Horikami said.

More than 1 million phone books will be distributed throughout the state, with the neighbor islands scheduled to receive them by the end of the year.

Blanc's work has been showcased at the Contemporary Museum and Honolulu Academy of Arts.