Gov. Linda Lingle has released $12.7 million for the state's public hospital system, including nearly $1 million to help pay for improvements at at Hilo Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital and Le'ahi Hospital.

The bulk of the funds, $11.8 million, will be used to help Hawai'i Health Systems Corp. pay down its accounts payable balance. Those funds represent an advance advance of HHSC's second quarter allocation for fiscal 2009. Another $923,030 will be used to float general obligation bonds for the capital improvement projects.

"While state law limits the extent of my involvement in the budget and operations of the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation, my administration is committed to working with its leadership and regional boards to improve its financial situation," Lingle said in a news release.

"This advance, coupled with proactive efforts by HHSC to increase efficiencies, will be vital in ensuring Hawai'i's public hospitals are able to continue providing quality care to our neighbor island residents."