Hawaii island

Hospital to train for nuclear crisis

HILO >> Hilo Medical Center is planning to conduct a full-scale nuclear disaster drill Dec. 1.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Monday that the exercise will piggyback on Hawaii officials’ plan for a statewide siren test to alert residents of a nuclear disaster.

Worries about a nuclear strike have ramped up in recent months due to back-and-forth rhetoric between President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un.

On Sunday, North Korea said it detonated a hydrogen bomb, which was its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

Hospital spokeswoman Elena Cabatu says employees will go through two practice exercises in November that they won’t be told about in preparation for the drill.

Molokai

Fridge trade-in draws families

WAILUKU >> Hawaii Energy has launched the latest phase of a program to replace families’ older, energy-eating refrigerators with new, energy-efficient models.

Dozens of Molokai families began dropping off their aging refrigerators at Duke Maliu Regional Park and received new General Electric units that will help lower their electrical bills.

A total of 177 Energy Star-certified refrigerators will be delivered during the trade-in opportunity, The Maui News reported.

Hawaii Energy program manager Burk Gingerich said a refrigerator can cost families on Molokai $350 a year in excess utility costs.

Participants are required to sign up in advance, and those who qualify are eligible to purchase a new refrigerator for $250. The price includes a rebate from Hawaii Energy.

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Associated Press