The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has unanimously approved a plan to have Maui artist Kirk Kurokawa paint the official portrait of former Gov. Neil Abercrombie that will hang in the governor’s chambers at the state Capitol.

The project is budgeted for nearly $40,000, including a $35,000 fee for Kurokawa, framing, shipping and other costs. That money will come from the Works of Art Special Fund, which receives a slice of the funding from each state construction project.

The commission has also budgeted $5,000 that will be provided by the Office of the Governor for an unveiling ceremony when the portrait is placed on display next year, according to a budget provided by the commission.

The official portrait of the governor will be “a visual and historic record imparting insight into his character and administration,” according to commission staff. “The portrait’s style, setting, colors, and tone all reflect who the governor is, how he sees himself, and how he would like others to remember his years in office.”

Abercrombie said he didn’t fully understand at the start of the selection process how extensive and intense the vetting would be, with 46 artists submitting samples of their work, essays and letters explaining their backgrounds and artistic visions. Abercrombie and former first lady Nancy Caraway participated in the interviews of the two finalists.

Kurokawa sent a beautiful letter expressing interest in doing the portrait, Abercrombie said, and the former governor said he was moved to tears during the interview.

“I was so impressed with this young man, it was so moving,” Abercrombie said. “He has a kind of specific talent, a talent special to him, which I think is extraordinary. I just think in terms of contemporary Hawaii and the values of Hawaii, he’s the embodiment of it.”

Abercrombie said he does not know what sort of setting Kurokawa will select for the portrait, but does not expect Kurokawa will produce a “traditional” type of portrait. “I have complete confidence in him. I’m putting myself in his hands,” Abercrombie said.

According to foundation staff, commissioning portraits of Hawaii governors is a tradition dating from 1912 with the portrait of Sanford B. Dole, the first governor of the territory of Hawaii after it was annexed by the United States.

The Abercrombie portrait is scheduled to be completed next summer.