Holiday mail deadlines near
Several post offices will extend their hours beginning Dec. 8
Star-Bulletin staff
The U.S. Postal Service is extending its hours of operation and offering tips to help Hawaii residents get their Christmas packages delivered before Dec. 25.
Below are the dates residents should mail letters, cards and packages:
» To the mainland: First-class & Priority Mail, Dec. 17; Express Mail, Dec. 20.
» Within Hawaii: First-class, Dec. 20; Express, Dec. 22.
» To Guam, Saipan and American Samoa: First-class, Dec. 13; Express, Dec. 19.
» To Military APOs and FPOs: First-class, Dec. 7; Express, Dec. 14.
» International: First-class, Dec. 7; Express, Dec. 14. For Africa and Central America, send First-class/Priority by Saturday and Express by Dec. 10.
If normal holiday conditions prevail, letters and packages sent shortly after the suggested dates still might arrive before Christmas, according to the Postal Service.
Beginning Dec. 8, 27 post offices across the state will extend their hours of operation. To find out hours of individual post offices, call (800) ASK-USPS or go to USPS.com and click on "Locate a Post Office" in the tool bar.
Ala Moana and Airport offices will be open for business on Sundays, Dec. 9 and 16. Mililani will be open Dec. 16.
To avoid standing in line, postal officials advise customers to buy stamps, mail packages and conduct common transactions at the self-service Automated Postal Centers. APC machines are outside or in the service lobbies at Aina Haina, Airport, Ala Moana, Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Hilo Main Office, Kailua, Kailua-Kona, Kaneohe, Kihei, Lahaina, Makiki, Mililani, Moiliili, Waialae-Kahala, Waikiki, Wailuku and Waipahu post offices.
The busiest delivery day in Hawaii is projected to be Dec. 18, postal officials say.