Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona Jr. and state legislators yesterday urged the U.S. Postal Commission to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of Japanese-American soldiers who served during World War II.

Legislators introduced resolutions in both houses yesterday to request a stamp in honor of the soldiers, which could be issued in 2010.

The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee meets Jan. 24-25 to consider requests for commemorative stamps.

"This is the moment, they need to know," Aiona said.

Aiona said he and Gov. Linda Lingle also will write a letter on behalf of the people of Hawai'i supporting a stamp honoring nisei veterans.

And Aiona and the legislators asked supporters in Hawai'i and on the Mainland to go to www.niseistamp.org to express their support. Through organized petitions, more than 10,000 people have already supported a nisei stamp, Aiona said.

What exactly would be depicted on the stamp has yet to be decided.

State Sen. Les Ihara Jr., D-9th (Kapahulu, Kaimuki, Palolo), said previous stamps have honored other minority veterans, including Hispanic-Americans in 1984 and African American Buffalo Soldiers in 1994.

State Rep. John Mizuno, D-30th (Fort Shafter, 'Alewa Heights), the son and nephew of nisei veterans, noted that a stamp has been issued in honor of the Star Wars character Yoda.

Ihara, a former stamp collector, said that one honoring nisei veterans would be appropriate because stamps "represent the highlights of our American story."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.