HANALEI — Norbert Garma of Hanalei said it has been a very long time Monday as he shuffled through the contents of his mailbox at the Hanalei post office.
“They have been closed since the floods in April,” Garma said.
The Hanalei post office reopened its doors following repairs to damage caused by flooding from the record-breaking rainfall in April.
The U.S. Postal Service announced the closure of the Hanalei station on April 18, directing postal patrons to pick up their mail at the Kilauea post office while repairs took place.
“There were long lines,” said Kilauea resident Abigail Boroughs. “With the Hanalei post office opening up again, maybe the lines won’t be as long.”
Hanalei resident Linda Grazier said they had to make the trip to Kilauea for their mail during the Hanalei closure.
“This made it harder on the Kilauea folk,” Grazier said. “We’re thrilled Hanalei is back. We were so happy we brought them some rice pudding cups to show how much we appreciate them and how thrilled we are to have the post office open again.”
The Hanalei post office resumes hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
“Going to Kilauea was not that easy,” said Will Galleo who shuffled with an armload of postal material in the morning rains. “It is far, and cannot go that often.”
Postmaster Eileen Brieck worked through the post office’s normal routine of getting the relay truck taken care of, and juggled customers who brought well-wishing gifts and comments.
“They’ve been doing this all morning,” Brieck said. “We have flowers, lei, and even food from customers. We are thrilled to be back, and are so appreciative of all the customers and the Hanalei community for their patience and support during this trying time. We also appreciate the support from all of the other post offices on Kauai, and from those on Oahu who helped ensure delivery to our customers.”
