Interim agreement to keep Post Office at Keauhou Shopping Center

The Post Office at Keauhou Shopping Center closed it’s door Friday after contract holder Dug Miller could not extend his lease with the shopping center’s management.

One hour before the noon closing of the office, the United States Postal Service (USPS) detailed its plan for box holders in an email to West Hawaii Today.

“The U.S. Postal Service’s interim plan for serving the 600 PO Box customers of the Keauhou Contract Postal Unit, which closes today, is to have those customers pick up their mail over the counter at the Holualoa Post Office,” said Duke Gonzales, strategic communications specialist at the U.S. Postal Service in Honolulu.

However, four hours later they issued an updated plan.

“We have worked out an arrangement with Keauhou Shopping Center management that will allow a U.S. Postal Service clerk from a nearby Post Office to access the Keauhou CPU and deliver mail to its PO Boxes. This arrangement will ensure continuity of service to those 600 PO Box customers,” said Gonzales.

This interim agreement will permit the Keauhou CPU, staffed by the USPS clerk, to maintain its previous hours of operation, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The clerk staffing the Keauhou CPU will be able to accept packages with prepaid postage affixed to them, such as USPS Click-N-Ship postage.

“In the meantime, our USPS Hawaii management team is continuing its review of long-term options for serving the Keauhou CPU’s affected customers, including the possibility of soliciting new operators for a replacement CPU,” he continued. “We apologize for any confusion and any inconvenience experienced by Keauhou CPU customers. We appreciate their patience, understanding and continued support.”

Keauhou CPU customers with questions about the interim mail service plan can call the USPS district office in Honolulu at (808) 423-3977.