February 1 2002 Postage Stamps issued by Hawai'i Post

February 1st 2002 - 75th Anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki.

Two large-format stamps were issued on February 1st 2002 to celebrate the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki on the 75th Anniversary of its Grand Opening, and the 55th Anniversary of its re-opening after World War II.

The $5 stamp (above left) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows an aerial view of the hotel in 1927 not long after it had opened. Note the open spaces or low level structures around it.

The $8 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a beach view of the hotel in 2002. Several wings have been added since it opened. Note the high-rise hotels around it, especially the Sheraton Waikiki on the left which overshadows it. Fortunately, the beach has not changed much in any significant way and is still considered one of the best bathing beaches in Waikiki and is very popular with tourists and locals alike.

On both stamps, you can see the large distinctive cupola atop the hotel which is represented on the First Day postmark.

On February 1st 1927, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki opened its doors for the first time. It was only the second major Hotel to be built on Waikiki Beach, after the Moana Hotel. It is affectionately known as the "Pink Lady" or the "Pink Palace" of Waikiki.

During World War II, the hotel was used to house troops (mostly officers) being readied for shipment to the South Pacific Front. The beach in front of the Hotel was covered in barbed wire and barricades to make it difficult for the enemy to land there (see photo below). The obstructions didn't seem to bother the bathers though.

After the war had ended, the Hotel was completely refurbished and reopened on February 1st 1947. The color postcard (below) is the official postcard that is given to all current guests of the Hotel.

On February 1 2002, a gala dinner was held at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, complete with vintage cars from the twenties and guests dressed for the era. Also present was 94-year old Bill Tapia who played his ukulele for the dinner guests - just as he did at the Grand Opening in 1927.

Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheet:
Colors: $5 and $8 stamps - Multicolored
Size: 55mm x 45mm ($5 stamp). 77mm x 45mm ($8 stamp).
Stamps sheet size: $5 stamp - 15 (3 across, 5 down), $8 stamp - 10 (2 across, 5 down)
Perforation: 12.
Stamps design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2002 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.