Posted on: Thursday, January 1, 2004

Coral Reef stamps to be unveiled

Advertiser Staff

Postmaster General John E. Potter will introduce the new 37-cent Pacific Coral Reef stamps at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Waikiki Aquarium. The stamps will be available at post offices in Hawai'i that day, and across the country the next day.

The new stamps will be produced in panes of 10 that together depict a scene from a painting by Hilo artist John D. Dawson. Although they are being launched in Hawai'i, the scene shows a reef typical of the waters near Guam, with more than two dozen forms of marine life, including corals, sharks, eels, sea cucumbers and such delicate ocean beauties as Spanish dancers and clown triggerfish.

The coral reef stamps are the sixth in an annual series celebrating the nation's plant and animal communities. Deserts, rain forests, prairies, forests and tundra have been featured in the Nature of America series.

Sales and cancellations of the stamps will begin at 9 a.m. at the aquarium and continue through 3 p.m. Parking is available at La Peitra-Hawai'i School for Girls, 2933 Poni Moi Road from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m with a free shuttle service to the aquarium.

The last ceremony in the Islands celebrating the first day of a stamp issue was the Aug. 24, 2002, release of the Duke Kahanamoku stamp.