HAWAI‘I COMMEMORATIVE QUARTER ADVISORY COMMISSION SOLICITS PUBLIC INPUT ON HAWAI‘I’S QUARTER

For Immediate Release:  April 4, 2007

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission announced today that it is seeking the public’s opinion on Hawai‘i’s commemorative quarter design.  The five quarter designs submitted to the United States Mint were approved last week by Secretary of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr.  Soliciting public opinion on the proposed designs is part of the process the commission will undertake prior to making its final recommendation to Governor Linda Lingle. 

“The commission believes it is important that the public be given the opportunity to be a part of the process in determining Hawai‘i’s commemorative quarter design,” said Jonathan Johnson, chairman of the commission.  “Ultimately our quarter design will serve as a symbol of Hawai‘i’s people and culture and we encourage everyone to participate in the commission's public opinion poll.”

Secretary Paulson approved five design concepts, themes and narratives, which were unanimously agreed upon by the commission late last year.  The design concepts included: 1) Surfing – Hawai‘i’s Gift to the World; 2) Aloha Spirit (Hula Dancer); 3) Diamond Head;
4) Hawai‘i, The Island State and 5) Hawai‘i – Diverse But Unified.

The public opinion poll is accessible via the Governor’s Website at: www.hawaii.gov/gov/commemorativequarter/vote. 

This poll is only one part of the process and the results will not necessarily determine the final design of Hawai‘i’s quarter.  The commission, which is made up of representatives from across the state, will submit to the Governor a prioritized list of designs after the poll is complete.  Ultimately, Governor Lingle will make the final decision.  It is requested that individuals vote only once.  The deadline for participation is Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

The advisory commission has until the end of April to submit its decision to Governor Lingle for consideration before she selects the final design.

Hawai‘i’s Commemorative Quarter will complete the set of 50 state quarters and will be the last quarter to be minted in the series.  It is expected to be released in the fall of 2008 and will be produced for ten weeks.

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For more information, contact:
Jonathan Johnson
Chair, HCQAC 
Phone: (808) 586-0305

Marsha Wienert
Commission Advisor, HCQAC
Phone: (808) 586-2362 
 
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043