A U.S. postage stamp marking Hawai'i's 50th anniversary of statehood is to be unveiled next month, when the Postal Service displays its 2009 stamps.

But Hawai'i lawmakers Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Neil Abercrombie were treated to a special preview yesterday in Washington by U.S. Postmaster General John Potter.

Designed by Hawai'i artist and historian Herb Kawainui Kane, the stamp depicts a surfer and two canoe paddlers riding a wave. It will be issued next summer.

Akaka said Kane's "beautiful portrait of Hawaiian life will inspire Americans across the country."

Abercrombie commented that Kane has done "a masterful job of expressing the beauty and energy in Hawai'i's special relationship with the sea."

Kane was honored as a Living Treasure of Hawai'i in 1984.