Kafka in paradise: Hawaii fire survivors in bureaucratic trap as US says no more mail delivery
Summary
Two months after a wildfire destroyed much of Lahaina, Hawaii, many residents who returned are not receiving mail delivery at their rebuilt homes. The US Postal Service (USPS) treats the rebuilt area as a new development, so it has stopped door-to-door mail delivery until enough homes are rebuilt.Key Facts
- A wildfire in August 2023 destroyed large parts of Lahaina, including homes and the local post office.
- Some mailboxes survived the fire, but mail carriers are not delivering mail to the rebuilt homes.
- USPS says the area is being treated as a new development, which under policy means no street delivery.
- Only about 25% of homes damaged in the fire have been rebuilt so far.
- Residents must now pick up mail at a main post office two miles away, which has long lines and limited hours.
- The original Lahaina post office burned down and USPS plans to close it permanently.
- Some elderly residents find it difficult to travel to the post office to get their mail.
- The cheapest PO boxes that residents can rent do not fit packages and cost $250 per year.
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