The history of mail service in Hakalau illustrates some of the growing pains of the plantation and the community, and showcases changes in transportation, roads, and business development. The impact of the demise of the sugar industry and reduction in population is also reflected in the Hakalau Post Office.
Postmasters:
Mail has been delivered in Hakalau since the late 1800s, usually by pick up at the Hakalau Store. The Hakalau Post Office was officially subsumed by the U.S.Post Office Department on June 14, 1900, when Hawaii became a territory of the United States. Postmasters knew everyone in the community.
Mail has been delivered in Hakalau since the late 1800s, usually by pick up at the Hakalau Store. The Hakalau Post Office was officially subsumed by the U.S.Post Office Department on June 14, 1900, when Hawaii became a territory of the United States. Postmasters knew everyone in the community.
- Daibhidh MacKenzie, Postmaster, confirmed 06/09/1900 (also the Manager of Hakalau Store)
- William Ross, Postmaster, confirmed 03/31/1905 (also the Manager of Hakalau Store)
- Amos A. Ignacio, Acting Postmaster, confirmed 12/31/1934, released 07/01/1935
- Jack Y. Ouye, Postmaster, confirmed 04/01/1936, retired 05/31/1971
- Mr. Fumiko U. Sunahara, Officer-In-Charge, confirmed 05/31/1971, confirmed as Postmaster 11/27/1971
- Quincie Martines, Officer-In-Charge, confirmed 10/22/1987
- Mrs. Juanita L. Van Domburg, Postmaster, confirmed 07/15/1989
- Georgianna Carreira, Officer-In-Charge, confirmed 11/02/1992
- Nancy R. Shah, Postmaster, confirmed 11/13/1993
- Janet L. Sorenson, Officer-In-Charge, confirmed 07/26/2001, confirmed as Postmaster 03/20/2004, retired 09/30/2014
- Karen M. Cambra, Officer-In-Charge, confirmed 09/30/2014. The Hakalau Post Office was converted to a Remotely Managed Post Office under the direction of the Postmaster of the Pepeekeo Post Office on October 4, 2014.
Prior to 1928:
- Mail delivery involved ships, various ports, bad roads, and luck. Nothing about mail delivery was simple, but it did improve over time.
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1883:
Evening Bulletin, September 19, 1883, accessed via Newspapers.com
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1896:
Hawaii Herald, August 20, 1896, accessed via Newspapers.com
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- Prior to the 1928, the Hakalau Post Office was located inside the old, old store. In 1900, the Hakalau Post Office became part of the US Postal Service.
Hakalau Store, date unkown but estimated to be about between 1890-1900. Photo courtesy of the Lyman Museum.
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Hakalau Store, early 1900s, courtesy of Kim Kohl, granddaughter of William Ross, Store Manage, 1904-1936. Mr. Ross served as Postmaster from 1905-1934.
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1928-1961: The "old" Hakalau Post Office, adjacent to the new Hakalau Store, opened circa January 1928 and served the community for 33 years. The building was torn down sometime between 1967 and 1974.
Hawaii State Archives PP-28-11-014
Postmaster Jack Ouye, circa 1950s, outside the Hakalau Post Office next to the Hakalau Store. Photo from the Jack Ouye Collection, courtesy of Akiko Masuda.
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Hakalau Post Office in the 1950s. The space was only 225 square feet. Photo from the Jack Ouye Collection, courtesy of Akiko Masuda.
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1961: The "new" Hakalau Post Office in the old theater building opened December 3, 1961. At 600 square feet, it was nearly 3 times the size of the "old" post office adjacent to the Hakalau Store.
Hawaii Tribune Herald, December 4, 1961, accessed via Newspapers.com
1987-1989: Attempts to close the Hakalau Post Office affected many small post offices on the Big Island. Hakalau Post Office survived due to the community support. Jack Ouye, Postmaster from 1936-1971 and President of the Hakalau Recreational Council spearheaded the community support initiative.
Hawaii Tribune Herald, March 26, 1987, accessed via Newspapers.com
Hawaii Tribune Herald, August 24, 1987, accessed via Newspapers.com
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Hawaii Tribune Herald, March 26, 1989, accessed via Newspapers.com
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1993: The Hakalau Community Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Hakalau Project" to refurbish the gym, build rooms for senior citizen programs and move the post office to the side of the E.S. Capellas Hall (in front of Hakalau School). Source: Hawaii Tribune Herald, October 14, 1993, pages 14 and 22. The plan to move the Post Office came from community meetings and the PO representative from somewhere out east. The plans were approved and permitted but funding never came to fruition. The parking area was done and the highways division eventually took over for their own use.
2000: The Hakalau Post Office was not relocated adjacent to E.S. Capellas Hall. It remained in the old Hakalau Theater Building, along with another tenant, Hakalau Hall, a dance/concert venue for isle youth.
Hawaii Tribune Herald, November 5, 2000, accessed via Newspapers.com
2020:
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On January 13, the Hakalau Post Office was closed due to concerns about the structural integrity and safety of the building. The post office in this location has served the Hakalau community for 58 years. Whether the structure can be repaired such that the post office can return to this building remains to be determined. In the meantime, the Hakalau community is receiving its mail at the Honomu Post Office.
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NOW, Hakalau mail is picked up at the Honomu Post Office:
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