HONOLULU – Gov. Linda Lingle has released $534,694 for improvements to Kohala Hospital in Kapa'au and Ka'u Hospital in Pahala, two of five public health facilities on the Big Island.

"The Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation is in the process of carrying out repairs and improvements to public hospitals they manage statewide," Lingle said. "These projects will enable hospital staff on the Big Island to provide patients in rural areas with quality health care service."

• $505,000 is being used to retile floors, paint building interiors and exteriors and repave the parking lot at Kohala Hospital. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2008 and be completed in October 2008.

• $29,694 will be used to pay for upgrades to patient bathroom plumbing at Ka'u Hospital. Construction began in February and is scheduled to be completed in June 2008.

Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect headline.