Regular mail delivery — three flights a week — has resumed between Honolulu and American Samoa, the U.S. Postal Service in Honolulu said.

In anticipation of increased mail volume due to care packages, customers are reminded that the best way to ensure the fastest delivery to American Samoa is to ship via Express or First Class Mail, USPS spokesman Duke Gonzales said.

In the meantime, although electricity and communications at the post office and throughout the community are intermittent, the Pago Pago post office is open and serving customers as usual. A satellite postal unit in Leone was severely damaged and is closed for now. Leone post office box customers will be served via will call at the Pago Pago post office.

INFORMATION CENTER AT KPT

Samoan community members have organized an information center in Kuhio Park Terrace to allow people without computers to read about the latest news from Samoa.

The Samoa Disaster Relief Information Center has been set up at 1532 Linapuni St. For more information, contact Tiva Aga at 392-7235 or Timena Brown at 690-2680.

BANK OFFERING $25K IN AID

Bank of Hawaii has pledged $25,000 for disaster relief assistance for people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in American Samoa.

Families or individuals may apply for donations of up to $500. The bank said it will work with several community representatives to identify areas of immediate need. People who wish to apply for donations may pick up an application form Bank of Hawaii branches in Utulei, Tafuna and Pava'ia'i.

RED CROSS SENDS VOLUNTEER HELP

Twelve Red Cross volunteers from across the country were scheduled to leave Honolulu yesterday afternoon to lead the organization's relief efforts in American Samoa.

An additional 30 volunteers from the Islands will deploy over the next few days, the Hawai'i State Chapter of the Red Cross said.

MEDICAL MISSION TO SEND RELIEF AID

The Aloha Medical Mission plans to send medicine and medical supplies to American Samoa, which was struck by an earthquake and tsunami, and the Philippines, which was struck by a tropical storm. The donated supplies will be transported next week by Hawaiian Airlines, said Keoni Wagner, airlines spokesman.

The mission also will hold a benefit concert Dec. 10 at Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall and will give a portion of the proceeds to disaster victims in the Philippines and Samoa. "Four Doctors, a Patient and a Sweetheart" will feature Raiatea Helm.