Nighttime blaze destroys Kauai home

Fire destroyed a 1,100-square-foot house in Wainiha, Kauai, on Saturday night.

No one was home at the time of the fire, which caused an estimated $130,000 in damage to the structure and contents, but resulted in no injuries, a Kauai County statement said.

The fire broke out at approximately 7:23 p.m. and six fire units responded, finding the house fully engulfed.

The blaze was extinguished at 9:55 p.m.

The cause is under investigation.

Hilo hospital puts rooms up for ‘adoption’

The Hilo Medical Center Foundation is asking philanthropists to adopt rooms at the hospital to help fund renovations.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that donors may have their names or the name of their business placed on a plaque above the door of the room they adopt, or the name of a loved one as a memorial.

Donors may adopt one of 18 private rooms for $6,500, or one of 14 semiprivate rooms for $12,000, said Executive Director Lori Rogers.

If all are adopted, donations would reach $285,000, the goal for the next near, she said.

Rogers said that the hospital treats approximately 9,000 patients every year, and it’s time for the rooms where they stay to enter the 21st century.

"When you walk into one of the rooms, it’s like you’re stepping back into the ’80s," she said. "They look tired and worn. We want patients to have a fresh, clean experience, waking up to a fresh place. The rooms are well past the date of needing a face-lift."

The foundation will kick off its fundraiser at a "High Tea Party" at the hospital on Sept. 12.