From The Garden Island:

Eddie Sarita can still remember when his parents opened up post office box number 161 at the Hanamaulu Post Office more than 50 years ago.

That same box number, Sarita said, was passed down to his brother after his parents died and is something that is still important to him and other family members even though the old post office is no longer standing.

“We want to keep it, even if it’s just for sentimental purposes,” Sarita said. “There’s hardly any mail anymore but we still keep it.”

The Hanamaulu Trading Co. building, which housed the old post office branch for more than a century, burned to the ground on Dec. 14, 2012 after a large structure fire engulfed the wooden, two-story building on Kuhio Highway. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Hawaii County Council debates cash for nonprofits

Volunteers to visit dive sites around Kauai

Gas prices up 2 cents in Wailuku

Sovereignty activists in Hilo court

Donors, volunteers help 50 West Hawaii children get ready for school

Plan to expand Makawao cemetery’s capacity

Marines kick off process to create better Big Isle public notification

Study links Lahaina injection wells, nearshore flows

Praise for proposed Kealakehe park

Earthjustice files Waimea River complaint

Hanamaulu courtesy exfordy.

—Chad Blair