Hawai'i's 50th anniversary of statehood is right around the corner, and members of the statehood commission have announced plans to commemorate the event with a series of yearlong activities.

The 25-member commission says they've organized events to honor Hawai'i's past and look to the future.

One of the highlights of the program will be the 50 Voices of Statehood, a series of radio and television vignettes recorded by Searider Productions of Wai'anae High School.

The spots will feature diverse and personal perspectives on statehood from 50 residents across the state.

Other educational components include time capsules, a traveling history exhibit and student essay and art contests.

Hawai'i became a state on Aug. 21, 1959.