Building access could cause issues with delivery of mail

Question: I live in an apartment building that is only 9 years old with an “enter phone” type system wherein you need to press a button to scroll to find the resident’s last name, then enter their three-digit code to call the resident and speak to them. I was told by the Waipahu post office that according to the Hawaii postmaster, the postal delivery person is not required to call the resident to come down and sign for parcels that require a signature or to accept parcels that are oversized and won’t fit in a parcel locker at our building because our system to call residents is too time-consuming.

My question is, what about the thousands upon thousands of apartment units all over the island (especially in our urban core) that have a similar enter-­phone setup? Are they also denied the opportunity to sign for a parcel? It is an inconvenience to travel to the post office to pick up a parcel.

Also if one thinks about it, it is actually more time-consuming to attempt a signature from a single-family homeowner (which they are required to do) because they need to get the parcel, walk to the resident’s door, knock, wait 15 to 20 seconds, if no one answers then get back in their vehicle and leave. At my apartment, the same attempt would take about 10 to 12 seconds. Also, where else can you accomplish delivering regular mail for 165 residences in 20 minutes? Try that on single-family homes. We deserve the same delivery service as every other home on the island.

Answer: We checked with Duke Gonzales, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, who offered this explanation:

“We apologize for the frustrations experienced by your reader. The situation described is the result of the limitations of his/her building’s enter-phone intercom system. Our U.S. Postal Service delivery policies and guidelines state that in order for our mail carriers to communicate with customers in buildings equipped with such systems, the intercoms must have easily accessible, posted directories. Such directories allow the carrier to efficiently and effectively verify delivery addresses, and to contact customers as needed.

“The building in question has no such directory. According to the Waipahu postmaster, another building located very near this reader’s building has the same intercom issues and resulting delivery limitations.

“We certainly agree that every one of our customers deserves delivery service. Not everyone receives exactly the same service, though, because of the myriad factors that affect our ability to efficiently deliver the mail.”

In response to follow-up questions, Gonzales said this problem does not extend to every Oahu apartment building with an intercom system. Many have acceptable directories, he said, and others make other arrangements on behalf of residents.

“The type of delivery serv­ice provided is dependent on the infrastructure available at each multiresident building to which we deliver,” he said. “Some buildings have parcel lockers. Some don’t. Some have easily accessible, posted directories. Some don’t. Some have a management or security office that is authorized by the building’s residents to accept parcels. Some don’t.”

You mentioned parcels that require a signature or don’t fit in your building’s parcel locker. You might speak to your building’s manager about authorizing staff to accept that type of mail, working around the directory.

Mahalo

Thank you to the kind gentleman who stepped out of line to help me get a copy of my marriage certificate at the Vital Records office’s computer. Your kindness will be paid forward, and may you be richly blessed. — Flip-phone senior

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.