Hilo Business Owners Report Missing Packages from Local Post Office

Business owners in Hilo, Hawaii, are expressing their frustration over numerous packages disappearing after being dropped off at the city’s main post office. Several small business proprietors claim to have been dealing with these problems for over a year, resulting in significant financial losses.

Jordan Camara, the owner of Kahua Aina, turned to social media to determine if others faced similar issues. “I had so many people reply to me, ‘Yeah, my small business here. My small business there,'” she shared with Hawaii News Now (HNN) Investigates.

Jessica Wong, another local business owner, reported experiencing similar problems starting last year. Both entrepreneurs have noted that when they hand over large shipments of online orders at the post office, not all packages get scanned, leading to customer complaints about undelivered items.

“Customers would send us emails like, hey, where’s our update — where’s our package,” Camara said. Wong added, “It stated the barcode label was created, but USPS hasn’t received it.” Despite filing claims, Wong remains uncompensated for losses totaling approximately $2,500, stating, “It affects it a lot. We’re not like Amazon.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General are currently investigating the issue. Though unable to disclose specific details of ongoing investigations, postal inspector Matthew Norfleet emphasized the use of various law enforcement tools, including intelligence, surveillance, subpoenas, and search warrants.

Norfleet advised against leaving mail unattended, noting theft cases in other states and suggesting customers “buzz the buzzer, wait for somebody to come out. They will scan your mail in.” He also recommended businesses to establish a commercial account to have items scanned at a more secure location.

Camara, intent on preventing further losses, now opts to personally have each package scanned at the post office lobby. Customer reports and information that could assist in the investigation are being sought by the mail authorities, with rewards offered for tips leading to convictions.