Kalaupapa Meeting Focuses on Potential Post Office Closures

By Wendy Osher

USPS image.

A two-hour meeting is underway at the McVeigh Social Hall on Molokai to discuss the potential closure of the town’s Post Office at Kalaupapa.

The post office was among four in the state that were included on a list of potential closures released by the US Postal Service.  Other Hawai’i facilities on the list were the Uptown Honolulu Post Office and the Kapolei Post Office on Oahu, and the Hanamaulu Post Office on Kauai.

The USPS recently announced it may close some 3,700 post offices across the country to help the service in dealing with an unprecedented financial crisis.

Some of the facilities on the list were identified because of poor retail sales, foot traffic, and revenue.  Another factor was the proximity of the facilities to other post offices.

The final Hawai’i meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Hanamaulu Station in Lihue on Kauai.

The USPS has also mailed surveys to Hawaii residents to gather public input. Surveys must be received by the USPS by September 30, 2011.

Written comments may also be sent by September 30 to: Mr. Gary Gardetto, Consumer and Industry Contact, United States Postal Service, 3600 Aolele Street, Room 112, Honolulu, HI 96820-9631.