HONOLULU -- More than 1,000 people showed up at Bishop Square in downtown Honolulu on Monday for the official release of the Hawaii commemorative quarter.

The lines stretched around the block from Bishop Square. People waited for hours to get the new Hawaii commemorative quarter.

The U.S. Mint completed the release of its 50 special state quarters. Since Hawaii is the 50th state, it is the last in the series. The artwork was selected from hundreds of possible images including hula dancers, Diamond Head and surfers.

"But the image of (King) Kamehameha reaching out to the eight major Hawaiian Islands captures one of the basic principles of your state and our country and that principle is: unity. When Americans pull this coin out of their pocket they will think of Hawaii," U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy said.

Gov. Linda Lingle and other officials passed out free quarters to children. Those who waited in line since early in the morning were allowed to buy up to five rolls of the quarters.

"I'm going to send one to my brother in Alaska. I'm going to save one for myself," collector Ted Takao said.

"Oh, I'm going to give them out as gifts to mainland people. You know, they're hot off the press," collector Billie Nelson said.

For those who did not get the new quarter at Monday's event: Don't worry. They are available at banks and credit unions. Officials with the U.S. Mint said they are making 520 million of the Aloha State quarters.