Twenty-nine of the evacuees were taken from Kona Community Hospital to the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa's ballroom, where they remain, hospital spokeswoman Emily Mendez-Bryant said. Six other patients were taken to Hilo Hospital, Mendez-Bryant said.

The damage estimate to four Big Island hospitals, in the meantime, has risen from $250,000 to at least $10 million, county Civil Defense officials said this morning.

Two hospitals — Kona Community Hospital and Hale Ho'ola Hamakua, a long-term care facility — suffered major damage. Kohala Hospital and Ka'u Hospital had minor damage.

"We're one of the major ones," said Mendez-Bryant said.

Kona Community Hospital lost ceiling tiles and suffered cracks in walls but is structurally sound, Mendez-Bryant said.

Hospital officials estimate the cost of repairs, overtime, outside services and other costs at $5 million.

"The $5 million does include everything that has to do with recovery of our business interruption," she said.

Although 35 patients were evacuated, the hospital continues to operate its emergency room, social services department, pharmacy, behavioral health, intensive care, laboratory, rehabilitation and other services.

Hale Ho'ola Hamakua had $4.5 million worth of damage when pipes broke and the hospital was flooded. Some 49 people were evacuated to a nearby former clinic that had been renovated into classrooms.

Ka'u Hospital will need $500,000 worth of repairs, Civil Defense officials said. It had cracks near the hospital's clinic, which widened from a 4.0 magnitude aftershock following Sunday's 6.7 and 6.0 magnitude earthquakes.