Question: What are the Christmas mailing dates? I’ve seen conflicting information.

Answer: Here are the “mail by” dates the U.S. Postal Service suggests in order to get cards and packages delivered by Christmas, when mailed first class or Priority Mail from Hawaii. They are listed according to destination, with the earliest dates first:

Dec. 7: Most international addresses and military APOs and FPOs

Dec. 9: American Samoa

Dec. 14: Guam and Saipan

Dec. 18: Mainland

Dec. 22: Within Hawaii

Please note that the suggested mailing date to the mainland — Dec. 18 — is a day earlier than you might have heard. An initial announcement from the U.S. Postal Service had conflicting information (both the correct and an incorrect date were mentioned) which the agency clarified after hearing your question via Kokua Line.

For each of the destinations above, customers can buy themselves a little extra time by shipping Priority Express, but that costs more than first class or Priority.

Also, the Postal Service emphasizes that the suggested mailing dates are not hard deadlines. “In fact, if normal holiday conditions prevail, chances are good that letters and packages sent shortly after the suggested dates will still make it to their destinations before Christmas. Ultimately, uncontrollable factors such as mailing volumes and weather determine whether deliveries can be made early or on time,” the agency’s announcement said.

Better to be safe than sorry, we say. Mail early. Online “click and ship” service, flat-rate boxes and the 24-hour self-serve kiosks available at many post offices make it much easier to complete this annual ritual, and to avoid long lines while doing so. Find details at usps.com.

Recycling event

Kapolei High School hosts the latest “Going Green” community cleanup event, scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 91-5007 Kapolei Parkway. This one-stop, drop-off event will have Kapolei students, faculty and friends greeting donors and helping to unload their cars. Acceptable items include scrap metal, computers, monitors, printers, scanners, one TV per car, HI-5 beverage containers, used household cooking oil, cellphones, printer cartridges, all kinds of batteries, usable clothing, eyeglasses and hearing aids, towels, blankets, prom dresses, women’s business suits, incandescent light bulbs (which will be swapped for up to four CFLs) and canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank.

No paint, tires, motor oil, hazardous fluids, cardboard, paper, plastics (other than HI-5), wood or bulky items will be accepted. Free towing of unwanted cars also is provided. Call Rene Mansho at 291-6151 to arrange that or for any other questions about the event.

Q: Was Hawaii involved in that celery recall?

A: Yes, although in a more limited fashion than many other states. Of the 71 products Taylor Farms Pacific. Inc. of Tracy, Calif., recalled due to potential E. coli contamination, only seven were distributed in Hawaii, to Walmart or Sam’s Club stores, according to a statement from the company posted on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website.

All of the products contained celery, and were recalled “out of an abundance of caution” because a different celery product sold by the company was linked to an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7, a serious form of the diarrheal illness, according to the statement, which was posted Nov. 27. That outbreak was limited to mainland states.

In Hawaii, Taylor Farms recalled its Asian Chopped Round Toss Up Salad, Italian Chopped Round Toss Up Salad, Chicken Salad Kit, Fruit Waldorf Salad Kit and various-sized products that included diced celery or celery sticks. All had “use by” dates ranging from Nov. 20 to Dec. 8.

Customers who bought any of the items before the recall removed the products from stores were advised to throw them away. You can read the company’s full statement on the recall, including product descriptions and lot numbers, at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm474601.htm.