Gov. Linda Lingle today announced she has released $750,000 for a quake mitigation study for state-run hospitals statewide. The study is scheduled to be completed in September 2008. The design phase of the effort is to be completed by September 2009.

"Hospitals need to be prepared for all kinds of emergencies," Lingle said in a written statement about the project. "This study will help to ensure that our public hospitals remain safe and operational during and after an earthquake so that doctors and staff can continue to care for patients in critical times of need."

Big Island hospitals were spared major structural damage in the 6.7-magnitude Kiholo earthquake on Oct. 15, 2006, but the 96-bed Kona Community Hospital emergency room had to be relocated to a tent outside the building after ceiling tiles and light fixtures fell during the shaking.

At Hale Ho'ola Hamakua long-term-care facility in Honoka'a, eaves collapsed and a broken water line flooded parts of the facility, prompting evacuation of patients to a nearby building.

Drywall cracked at both the hospital and the long-term care facility, air-conditioning ducts cracked or broke open, end equipment and supplies fell off shelves and out of cabinets.