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Posted: Saturday, July 1st, 2006 6:46 AM HST

Hawaii coin likely to feature Kamehameha, Hawaii map, "Aloha"

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ The front-runner to be Hawaii's quarter features King Kamehameha the Great, the word ``Aloha'' and an outline of the Hawaiian Islands. A commission selecting finalists for Hawaii's quarter design narrowed down the options to five yesterday. Three of the five favorite designs included some use of Kamehameha's image, a map of the island chain, and the word Aloha. About 40 commissioners from all islands and the state's different ethnic groups discussed the options for two hours at the state Capitol yesterday. Nick Tomihama is a commission member and a 16-year-old coin collector who attends Mid-Pacific Institute. He says he was surprised at how readily the diverse group agreed on finalists.1 Hawaii's quarters _ the last of the 50 states _ are scheduled to be minted in 2008. (Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved)