The funds will be used to renovate the original 22,000 square-foot hospital, which was built in 1962. The renovated building will house a women's health center, physical therapy activities, food service, special procedures suite, chapel, laboratory and administrative support services. Phase II started in 2006 and has received $6.87 million in government and private funds, which includes $1.92 million that Lingle released in December 2005. The total cost for Phase II is $9.17 million. Construction is expected to be completed next month.

"This renovation will insure the proper care for our residents on Moloka'i and is part of my administration's ongoing commitment to providing access to affordable health care services to our residents statewide," Lingle said in a release issued today.

In 2005, Moloka'i General Hospital finished Phase I of a major expansion project, which added an 11,500 square-foot wing for patient services that includes space for emergency, urgent care and acute care services. The $7.5 million project was partially supported with a $1 million state grant, which Lingle released in March 2003.