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Post offices move
toward do-it-yourself

Question: In a recent article about the U.S. Postal Service, it was mentioned that 18 APCs (Automated Postal Centers) would be available by the end of November. I have used the Airport APC, and it's a great tool to use, especially during nonbusiness hours or when there are really long lines (and when it's working!). Which 18 post offices will have the APC?

Answer: The automated center has been up and running at the Honolulu Airport post office for several months. By the end of this month, the following sites also will have fully operational APCs, said Lynne Moore, consumer affairs manager for the U.S. Postal Service in Hawaii:

Aina Haina, Ala Moana, downtown Honolulu, Hawaii Kai, Kailua, Kaneohe, Makiki, Mililani, Moiliili, Waialae Kahala, Waikiki and Waipahu. On the neighbor islands, APCs will be available at the Kihei, Wailuku and Lahaina main post office on Maui, and at the Kailua-Kona and Hilo main post office.

With a credit or debit card, customers can pretty much handle their own mailings at the self-service centers, from buying stamps to weighing, stamping and mailing parcels, Moore said.

Q: Since the contractor finished paving Haiku Road in Kaneohe about two months ago, the traffic light at the intersection of Haiku and Kahekili has been missed. As a result, cars back up for half a mile along Haiku Road. Before the construction, the light provided for the orderly flow of traffic onto and across Haiku Road at Kahekili.

A: Traffic should be flowing much better now.

The city Department of Design and Construction acknowledged the problem following the resurfacing of Haiku Road.

The timing detectors were to have been reinstalled last week.

Officials explained that when a contractor "cold planes" the roadway before repaving, any loop detectors embedded in the roadway are removed.

The contractor's subcontractor is responsible for reinstalling the loop detectors, which normally is done within 30 days. However, this didn't happen according to schedule because of the subcontractor's workload, officials said.

In the future, call the city complaints line at 523-4381 or 523-CITY (2489) for similar complaints.

Mahalo

To security guards Chavez Rivera and Johnny Kauweloa, for coming to my aid in trying to use the updated copier at the Pearl City Daiei on Nov. 11. These two young men not only explained the many complicated features and buttons, but Chavez copied all 41 pages -- front and back on one page, with differing lengths and widths -- as I watched in awe. He was truly a godsend, as I would have made so many errors, exhausting all my 20 dollar bills. Instead, he saved me $10. I commend Daiei for its well-trained and helpful staff. Mahalo and good fortune to Chavez and Johnny, your fellow employees and Daiei Pearl City. -- Jane Watanabe

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