Kahala resident Elvira Kheradpey was grateful that the Waialae-Kahala Post Office was no longer on the list of closures.

“;We need to have this service,”; said Kheradpey, who has been going to the post office for 20 years. “;It's the right choice.”;

Officials whittled the original list of possible post office closures on Oahu from 10 to two sites: Pearl Harbor and Makalapa, which serve military communities. Along with Waialae-Kahala, the other post offices removed from the list include Aina Haina, Fort Shafter, Kaimuki, Kapalama, Makiki, Moiliili and Tripler Army Medical Center. Officials came up with the preliminary list to address a nationwide cost-savings effort as revenues decline.

The Pearl Harbor and Makalapa post offices are smaller, with less foot traffic than some of the other post offices on Oahu. Both are manned by one clerk. Also, Makalapa is only open four hours a day.

  Local post offices spared

 

The Postal system is being forced to cut costs after losing close to three billion dollars last year but the U.S. Postal service has spared 8 of 10 Oahu post offices.

[ Watch ]

 

Duke Gonzales, spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service's Honolulu district office, said officials are working with the military to identify how to best serve customers. Gonzales said it is not the intention to shut down the sites.

“;We're looking to find a way to work with them to continue to provide services in a more efficient manner,”; he said.

Officials are expected to make a decision by next month, with changes to go into effect sometime after Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, patrons such as Kheradpey are happy they can continue to go to the Waialae-Kahala Post Office near Kahala Mall. The parking lot was full yesterday afternoon as a steady stream of customers entered and exited the post office. Customers say they appreciate the service provided by longtime clerks at the site. “;The people here are nice,”; said Kheradpey.

Kahala resident Henri Bouderlique, who was to send a surfboard and a large box to his friend in France yesterday, said the post office is accessible as he lives just two block away.

“;I like it because it's right by my house,”; he said.