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.

Of the total, $505,000 is being used to retile flooring, paint buildings and repave the parking lot at Kohala Hospital. Construction is scheduled to begin in June, and be completed in October.

The remaining money will pay for upgrades to patient bathroom plumbing at Ka'u Hospital. Construction there is scheduled to be completed in June.