Hawaii And Alaska Choose Quarter Designs

Hawaii and Alaska, the last two states to join the union, have chosen designs for their commemorative quarters.

Hawaii selected a design depicting King Kamehameha I, the state's first king, on the right side, with his hand stretching toward the Hawaiian island chain and the state's motto in Hawaiian. Alaska chose a grizzly clenching a salmon in its jaws as it emerges from water beneath a small waterfall.

Both designs will be released in the fall of 2008.

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle made her selection based on recommendations from the Hawaii Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission, which met Monday to review the results of a public online poll conducted earlier this month.

"I would like to thank the commission and the public for participating in this extensive process to develop, discuss and select designs that are emblematic of our islands and our people," said Lingle. "I am honored to be able to submit a design that emphasizes our proud history, unique geography, diversity and host culture."

The commission rejected two other finalists: King Kamehameha in front of Diamond Head and a hula dancer with the island chain.

"I think it says a lot about us, that recognition, again. So that's what's important. It's who we feel we are as a people, not what visitors might feel about us," said Lingle.

Also Monday, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin unveiled a black-and-white sketch of her state's coin. The image, also chosen with the aid of public input, includes the grizzly, the saying "The Great Land," the North Star and spruce trees rooted above a small waterfall.

The grizzly is the state animal of Montana and California, where it was hunted to extinction in 1922. But the bears are most plentiful in Alaska, with an estimated 30,000 grizzlies roaming the state.