February 16th 2012 Postage Stamps issued by Hawai'i Post

Three stamps and a minisheet were issued on February 16th 2012 depicting buoys to be found in Hawaiian waters.

A buoy is a navigational marker that identifies a channel or something else like a wreck that is a hazard to shipping. Buoys have significantly changed over the years. They started out as just plain markers bobbing on the surface of the water and tethered by an anchor. Coded signs were added, and then lights. Today they contain quite an array of electronic equipment. A typical modern buoy has solar panels which provides electricity for lights and communication equipment.

Buoys are now used not only for navigation, but also provide weather and oceanic conditions via satellite to ground stations. They are maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard which has specially fitted ships, called buoy tenders, for this purpose. A series of distant buoys out in the Pacific Ocean are able to predict when a tsunami will hit Hawai’i and how high the tidal surge will be.

The $2.50 stamp (above left) prepays additional charges such as extra weight. It shows a buoy tender The USCG cutter "Oak". You can see the onboard crane lifting a buoy.

The $6 stamp (above middle) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows a 3-meter discus type bouy with sophisticated communication equipment and solar panels. It is made of aluminium so it won't corrode in seawater.

The $9 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a smaller buoy for use closer to shore.

The $9 minisheet (above ) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a Marine Optical Buoy, or MOBY that is located off the island of Lanai in Hawai'i. The text reads:
"The MOBY is a complex scientific instrument, with a spectrometer which measures the amount of sunlight entering the ocean and the scattered light that is reflected back to, and out of the ocean surface at three different ocean depths. These measurements are then integrated to calculate the water-leaving radiance at the surface and beamed via satellite to scientists for analysis."

The booklet cover for this issue (above) depicts a 12-meter bouy. This refers to the diameter of the round buoy. They are so large that they are usually towed by a USCG ship to their final location.

The special postmark for this issue (above) depicts a 3-meter discus type buoy afloat in the ocean.

Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheet:
Colors: $2.50, $6 & $9 stamps and minisheets - Multicolored.
Stamp size: 48mm x 32mm ($2.50).32mm x 48mm ($6 and $9).
Stamps sheet size: $2.50 - 30 (5 across, 6 down)., $6 & $9 - 30 (6 across, 5 down).
Minisheet size - 51mm by 76mm.
Stamps perforated 12, minisheet - imperforate
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), © 2012 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.