Kalaupapa Post Office Saved From Closure

By Wendy Osher

The US Postal Service today decided to remove the Kalaupapa Post Office on Molokai from a list of facilities considered for closure.

In a joint statement today, Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono said she was relived at the decision to keep the Kalaupapa Post office open for business.

“The US Postal Service clearly acknowledges the geographic isolation and unique needs of the Kalaupapa community,” she said.  “Even in this digital age, standard mail remains a primary way for residents to communicate with family and friends who live elsewhere. Now, this key service will not be interrupted,” said Rep. Hirono.

Senator Daniel Akaka said residents of Kalaupapa had expressed serious concerns about the potential termination of regular mail delivery to their isolated community during meetings with them.

“The residents of Kalaupapa depend on this post office to receive vital medication and other health supplies, and to connect them with the rest of the world, including their families, friends, and health care providers,” said Sen. Akaka.

“I thank the Postal Service for removing the post office at Kalaupapa from the list of potential closures,” he said.

While other Hawaii facilities were proposed for shutdown, the Kalaupapa location was the only Hawaii post office on the proposed list that did not have another facility accessible nearby.

So far, the Postal Service has only made a decision about Kalaupapa, and not the others that were being considered for closure.