U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) questioned Postmaster General John E. Potter about the impact of last week's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on postal service and operations across the nation during a Senate subcommittee hearing today. Senator Akaka sought specific information and assurances from the Postmaster General regarding mail delivery to Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and Compact of Free Association nations in the Pacific.

Senator Akaka, chairman of the Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, conducted the hearing to receive the annual report of the Postmaster General on the state of postal operations and testimony on the impact of the terrorist attacks and the threat of terrorism on the U.S. Postal Service. "The effects of the terrorist attacks on September 11 continue to reverberate throughout our nation," Akaka noted. "It is clear there will be far-reaching consequences, including to one sector so critical to the Postal Service: our transportation network. There are areas of the country, like my home state of Hawaii that cannot be reached by ground transportation from the U.S. mainland."

Although letters under a pound are now allowed on commercial airlines, up until Monday no mail was going into Hawaii. "I appreciate the Postal Service working with the Honolulu District in resolving the backup of mail in Los Angeles bound for Hawaii and for establishing a regular delivery schedule," Akaka said. "I also appreciate the efforts being given to getting mail in and out of Guam, American Samoa, and other areas in the Pacific. Needless to say, I've been hearing from folks back home who are waiting for mail order prescription drugs and other necessities."

The Postmaster General advised Senator Akaka that a daily 747 cargo charter is working to bring non-letter mail to Hawaii and eliminate the backlog of mail to Hawaii and the Pacific. Cargo mail (packages and items over 16 ounces) to Hawaii arrives in Los Angeles by ground transportation. Currently, a backlog of mail is being held in LA. All letter mail (16 ounces and under) is back on commercial flights nationwide, including flights to Hawaii. The state received its first delivery of mail from the mainland on Monday, and letter mail is flowing in both directions.

While Postmaster General Potter did not provide a timeframe for elimination of the cargo backlog, he recognized the particular importance of mail delivery to Hawaii and the Pacific and assured Senator Akaka that Hawaii and the region will not be neglected. The Postal Service continues working with the Honolulu District to ensure the normal flow of mail. He also noted a marked increase in mail volume to the islands.