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October 21st 2002 - Hawaiian Lighthouses Part II.
(See also Hawaiian Lighthouses Part I (Aloha Tower) and Hawaiian Lighthouses Part III.
Three stamps were issued on October 21st 2002 showing different Hawaiian lighthouses. Augustin-Jean Fresnel, a French physicist and a civil engineer for the French government, invented a lens for lighthouses in 1822 that would bear his name. A Fresnel lens, which can be 12 feet tall, concentrates the light like a magnifying glass. For example, an open flame loses almost 97% of its light, whereas a Fresnel lens retains 83% of its light enabling it to be seen 20 miles away or more at night. Both Makapu'u and Diamond Head lighthouses (shown on the $5 and $8 stamps) were equipped with a Fresnel lens. Even with modern navigational aids such as the GPS (Global Positioning System), lighthouses are still important to shipping today - from the small fishing or pleasure boat to the large supertanker or cruise ship.
The $2 stamp (above left) prepays additional charges such as extra weight. It shows the Lighthouse on Laysan Island in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands in 1893. The base was made of concrete and the tower of wooden beams. The light was probably very basic, not much more than a large oil-burning lantern. The $2 stamp is based on a black-and-white illustration in Baron Rothschild's two-volume book "The Avifauna of Laysan. Complete history to date of the birds of the Hawaiian Possessions" published in 1893. The existence of the lighthouse today is unknown. Perhaps a recent visitor to remote Laysan Island could enlighten us.
The $5 stamp (above middle) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows Makapu'u lighthouse on the east coast of O'ahu. It was built in 1909 in response to the steamer "Manchuria" which sank on nearby rocks in the predawn hours of August 20 1906. Makapu'u lighthouse stands 46 feet high on a cliff which is 420 feet above sea level. A pleasant paved walking trail from Kalaniana'ole Highway leads to the lighthouse. Although the lighthouse itself is not open to the public, the area around the lighthouse provides spectacular coastal views and it is a highly recommended place to visit.
The $8 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows Diamond Head lighthouse. Built in 1899, it is 57 feet high on a cliff which is 147 feet above sea level at the foot of Diamond Head. Fitted with a Fresnel lens in 1917, the lighthouse was automated in 1924, and is currently the home of the Commander of the Coast Guard's 14th District. It is the only lighthouse in Hawai'i that is also used as a residence. Although the lighthouse and grounds are not open to the public, it is viewable from the cliffs and road above and the rocky beach below. The image on the stamp is from a photo taken at the top of Diamond Head looking down.
The cachet on the First Day Cover shows a portrait of Augustin Fresnel and a picture of the lens he invented.
A booklet consisting of 3 panes containing 2 x $2, 2 x $5 and 2 x $8 stamps was also issued. Each pane consists of 2 stamps and has a white margin all around. "© 2002 Hawai'i Post" is printed vertically on the lower right side margin & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. is printed on the bottom margin of each pane.
The booklet is stapled twice at the left side. The front cover depicts Makapu'u lighthouse at night. The back cover has a list of the postage rates of Hawai'i Post.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps:
Colors: $2, $5 and $8 stamps - Multicolored
Size: All three stamps are 32mm x 48mm
Stamps sheet size: 30 ($2 - 6 down, 5 across), ($5, $8 - 5 down, 6 across).
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.
(See also Hawaiian Lighthouses Part I1, and Aloha Tower issues).
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