Oahu hospital losing money, in danger of closing ADVERTISING Oahu hospital losing money, in danger of closing HONOLULU (AP) — An Oahu hospital that has provided emergency services to island residents for more than 70 years is struggling to keep
Oahu hospital losing money, in danger of closing
HONOLULU (AP) — An Oahu hospital that has provided emergency services to island residents for more than 70 years is struggling to keep its doors open as it continues to lose funding.
The Wahiawa General Hospital has lost $9 million over the last three years. A spokeswoman attributed the decline to fewer patient admissions and reductions in government funding.
The hospital, which was built in 1944, provides emergency services to areas from Mililani to Wahiawa, Waialua, Sunset and Kahuku, or about one-third of the entire island. The hospital is central Oahu’s largest private employer, providing more than 600 jobs.
A nurse supervisor at the hospital, Angelina Rodriguez, said she is worried about the hospital closing and the impact it will have on her life.
“I rely on this job to bring income for my family. I have five children. My husband is in the military. The cost of living is higher here,” she said.
Democratic Rep. Marcus Oshiro, who represents Wahiawa, is calling on Gov. David Ige and the Legislature for about $6 million to save the hospital.
“It would be catastrophic if Wahiawa General had to cut back on services — or even worse, we had to close,” said Oshiro.
A majority of the hospital’s patients access their care through Medicaid and Medicare. Oshiro said if Wahiawa General were to shut down, patients would be forced to go to facilities in Ewa Beach or Pali Momi in Aiea.
“We’re like any rural hospital, like in the neighbor islands,” he said. “We need the government’s help. We need the state to help us.”
Brush fire burns thousands of acres in Nanakuli
HONOLULU (AP) — Firefighters were working to contain a brush fire on Oahu that officials say has burned roughly 4 square miles.
More than 80 firefighters had responded to the blaze in Nanakuli when it was first reported around 3 p.m. Thursday. The fire was still only about 10 percent contained Sunday.
Fire officials said windy conditions and steep terrain have made it difficult to extinguish the brush fire, which has spread along a mountain range.
“In the daytime, the wind usually comes down the slope, but at nighttime things change and the wind changes direction and goes upslope so it plays tricks on the fire,” said Honolulu Fire Dept. Capt. James Todd.
One Honolulu Fire Department helicopter and four state helicopters dropped water from the air until nightfall Sunday while ground crews worked to protect nearby homes.
Paul Miguel with the Honolulu Fire Department said crews have done a great job putting out the edge of the fire, but that there are still a lot of hot spots.
Police had closed the westbound lanes of Farrington Highway at Ko Olina Thursday night and informed neighborhood residents of a voluntary evacuation. Firefighters used hoses and hand tools to prevent the fire from reaching the homes and the voluntary evacuation was lifted about two hours later.
No damage or injuries have been reported.
