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Barack Obama is a coral polyp.
Or so say the visionaries behind Hawaiis bid to host their native sons future presidential center, library and museum.
We here in Hawaii consider the president a polyp for all the great things that hes done in his presidency and starting here anew, said architect Rob Iopa, whose firm WCIT has created design concepts for the facility.
The notion of the president as part of an evolving oceanic organism that birthed the Hawaiian Islands is a deeply personal pitch that officials hope will convince Obama to build here.
Hawaii Presidential Center, Snohetta/WCIT
PHOTO: Artist's rendition of proposed Obama Presidential Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, designed by firms Snohetta and WCIT Architecture.
He comes here to find himself, said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
Find another president of the U.S. who went to a surging rock cliff and threw his most beloved peoples ashes into the water, Caldwell said of Obamas seaside burial of his mother and grandmother near Sandy Beach. I think he wants to be here.
Honolulu, Obamas place of birth and early schooling, is vying with Chicago and New York City for the prestige and economic benefits of becoming a presidential history destination.
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Obama As Coral, And Other Odd Selling Points for a Hawaiian Library