Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Hawaii Kai
Post Office
lines normalQuestion: Can you assist in bringing the Hawaii Kai Post Office into the 21st century? The post office boasts long waiting lines. There are an average of 33 standing, waiting souls regardless of the time of day or day of the year. We all are not physically fit to stand in such long lines. Also, young mothers have difficulty holding active youngsters. Mainland post offices often have numbered tickets to draw upon arrival and benches to sit upon while waiting for the numbers to be called on an amplified system. This is definitely not a big financial investment. Benches could easily fit into the post office's premises.
Answer: Although there are periods when there are lines, especially during peak times around the lunch hour and at the end of the day, long waits are not the norm at the Hawaii Kai Post Office, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
That's based on a check with the station manager and verified by an independent "Mystery Shopper" research company, said Lynne Moore, the USPS's manager of consumer affairs in Hawaii.
Therefore, there are no plans to implement a ticket system.
According to the research company, all the wait times documented last year were under five minutes, including during the busy holiday season, Moore said. "Our target is five minutes or less," she added.
Even during the Christmas season, wait times edged close to, but were still under, five minutes. That's because "we do ramp up" during anticipated busy times, with the Hawaii Kai manager making sure to staff all four available windows to accommodate the crowds, she said.
"Indications are that although there may be lines during peak times, as a whole, Hawaii Kai does well," Moore said. "So we don't really feel that a ticket system would be warranted."
There is no ticket system in place in any Hawaii post office. "If the lines are manageable, having a (single) line is much more efficient than a ticket system," Moore said.
As for adding benches, which would be moot without a ticket system, there really isn't that much space for them, she said, noting space already set aside for forms, a writing desk and retail product display.
If you have any more concerns, Moore said to just call 800-ASK-USPS (275-8777) and ask for the number for the Hawaii Kai or any other station. Or you can register a complaint at the 800 number, "and they will send it electronically to the station."
However, if you do have flexibility during the day, she suggested staying away during the known busy times of the day.
Auwe
To the person who stole from our car on Jan. 18 at the Hawaii Country Club. We don't care what you did with the few dollars' worth of coins you stole with the ashtray. (Based on the smell you left in our car, it seems you need the ashtray more than we do anyway.) We also don't care what you intend to do with the CD player or sunglasses. But with the college books and week's worth of homework you stole, we hope you find a way toward an education that teaches you some values or at least some skill that will allow you to stop stealing. -- A Birthday Ruined
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Useful phone numbers
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com