HONOLULU – Gov. Linda Lingle has released $469,627 for health and safety improvements to four state hospitals on the Big Island and O'ahu, according to a news release from her office.

Hilo Medical Center will receive $185,461 to replace the boiler and piping. Leaks in the existing boiler and piping have reduced the steam generating capacity for the laundry and dietary areas of the center, the news release said. The project is expected to be completed in December.

Kona Community Hospital will receive $23,500 to purchase nine air handlers to allow the air-conditioning system to function properly. The existing air handlers, which are over 25 years old, have started to restrict air circulation, resulting in varying hot spots in the hospital, accroding to the news release. The replacement project is scheduled to be completed in December.

Ka'u Hospital will use $18,000 to finance the design for an emergency generator replacement.

On O'ahu, $242,666 will be used to finance a new fire sprinkler system at Maluhia, which will include all of the patient rooms. The present fire sprinklers are located in the storage rooms only. The Governor previously released $500,000 for the project, which is scheduled to be completed in December.

The four facilities are among the 13 public hospitals across the state operated and managed by the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation.