Postal Service suggests dates for Christmas deliveries
The Postal Service expects to process and deliver approximately 15 billion pieces of mail and 420 million packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Below are the dates that the Postal Service suggests Hawaii residents mail their letters, cards and packages to give them the best chances of reaching their destinations by Christmas.
To U.S. mainland: First-Class and Priority Mail, Dec. 18; Priority Express, Dec. 19
To Hawaii: First-Class and Priority Mail, Dec. 20; Priority Express, Dec. 23
To Guam and Saipan: First-Class and Priority Mail, Dec. 13; Priority Express, Dec. 20
To American Samoa: First-Class and Priority Mail, Dec. 12; Priority Express, Dec. 19
Military APOs and FPOs or international: First-Class and Priority Mail, Dec. 9; Priority Express, Dec. 16
If normal holiday conditions prevail, chances are good that letters and packages sent shortly after the suggested dates will still make it to their destinations before Christmas. Ultimately, uncontrollable factors such as mail volume and weather determine whether deliveries can be made early or on time.
Unlike previous years, there will be no extended retail hours at any Hawaii post office. Postal kiosks at the Kailua-Kona and Hilo main post offices will allow customers to purchase stamps, print and pay for postage for packages, and conduct other common transactions without the need to stand in line to see a mail clerk.
Or, shippers can skip the trip to the post office during the holidays by printing mailing labels for the packages at usps.com, and notifying the postal service at usps.com/pickup that they’re ready to be picked up. The carrier will be alerted to pick up the packages, usually the next business day. There is no extra charge for this service.
Food Basket director addressing hui
West Hawaii Hui Laulima meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at the West Hawaii Community Health Center community meeting room. En Young, executive director of Food Basket Hawaii, is the guest speaker.
The hui is a consortium of health and human service providers, faith-based groups, community associations, businesses, government and concerned individuals that collaborate around matters affecting West Hawaii’s youth and families.
For more information, contact Linda Jeffrey at 327-4300, ext. 2432, or khparentcenter@yahoo.com.