Hawaii delegation urges USPS to restore direct mail delivery in Lahaina

LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s congressional delegation is calling on the U.S. Postal Service to restore direct mail delivery to rebuilt properties in Lahaina.

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U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, along with Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Rep. Ed Case, sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy opposing a USPS policy that classifies rebuilt Lahaina properties as “new developments.”

According to the delegation, that classification means returning residents would receive mail through centralized community mailboxes instead of having direct delivery restored to their homes.

“Lahaina residents are not moving into new subdivisions. They are returning to a historic community and to homes rebuilt on the same properties and at the same delivery points that existed before the fire,” the lawmakers wrote.

The delegation is asking the USPS to reverse the classification and restore pre-disaster direct delivery.

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Lawmakers are also seeking temporary arrangements allowing affected residents to access their mail without additional costs or disruptions while permanent service is established.

The letter also asks the agency to explain why the lease for the Downtown Lahaina Post Office was not renewed and what efforts have been made to secure a new location.

The post office has been under an emergency suspension since the August 2023 wildfires. Tokuda previously spoke out against its potential permanent closure.

The delegation is also asking the USPS to hold public meetings with Lahaina residents and businesses before making permanent changes to mail service.

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