Today’s entry will share a few photographs from the stamp dedication event held at Shoroan Monday, January 23, sponsored by the USPS, County of Hawaii, and Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens.
Since the official First Day of Issue was Sunday, January 22, in Kansas City, Missouri, the best we could do was make the cake into a first day cover, complete with Hilo postmark.
Short N Sweet Bakery and Cafe on Kino`ole Street in Hilo created the tasty cake
photo by K.T. Cannon-Eger
Dedication remarks were offered by Rose Bautista on behalf of Mayor Harry Kim.
Rose Bautista of the County of Hawaii read a message from Mayor Harry Kim
photo by Don Scott
Alton Uyetake, Postmaster of Hilo, gave background on the stamp selection process
photo by George Applegate
The stamp committee that made the proposal was recognized with lei from Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens.
Board member Jane Heit presents a lei to Art Smith
photo by Don Scott
Jane gives a lei to Anthony Kassel, author of a book on Hawaiian Missionary stamps
photo by Don Scott
Jane presents a lei to photographer Bill Eger
photo by Don Scott
the stamp committee that made the proposal
photo by George Applegate
Rose Bautista, K.T. Cannon-Eger and Alton Uyetake sign programs for collectors
photo by Barbara Fujimoto
a line to purchase the new stamp and get a hand postmark from Hilo
photo by Bill Eger
Mr. and Mrs. George Ito point out the Niigata lantern
photo by Jeff Burton
standing on the zig-zag path, holding an enlargement of the stamp are Rose Bautista, Alton Uyetake, and K.T. Cannon-Eger
Photo by USPS Duke Gonzales
Priority Mail stamps last until rates change. Lili`uokalani Gardens is the first Hilo locale to be featured on a U.S. stamp as well as the first Japanese-style garden to be featured on a U.S. stamp.
Stamps are available at Post Offices across the nation and online.
Approximately 50,000 stamp proposals are made each year, subject to review by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. Final decision rests with the U.S. Postmaster.
U.S. Japanese Gardens 