Exterior view of the Hilo Medical Center Long-Term Care Facility, photo courtesy State of Hawaii

HAWAII – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $19.1 million for various capital improvement projects that will upgrade and improve eight Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities. Over $10 million is coming to hospitals on the Big Island.

“These projects will go toward replacements, renovations and upgrades to our aging infrastructure at several state hospital facilities across the state,” Gov. Abercrombie said in a media release. “In addition to increasing safety and functionality, these projects, part of more than $2.1 billion in capital improvement projects released since I took office, will further stimulate our economy and generate more local jobs.”

The single biggest chunk of money is going to Kona Community Hospital. $4 million will go towards renovations and upgrades that the state says will “address increased activity in the pharmacy, bring obstetric area to current standards, fix leaking showers, upgrade security doors, and continuation of the ER model.”

$2,100,000 will renovate the Hilo Medical Center Angiography Suite, seen here:

photo courtesy State of Hawaii

The state says “existing equipment will be brought to current standards and enable patients to receive greater level of service, while reducing the need for patients to seek services on neighbor islands.”

$1,590,000 is on the way for Hilo Medical Center Laundry Washers and Dryers Replacement.

photo courtesy State of Hawaii

The money is for “design and equipment for the siting and installation of laundry washers and dryers,” says the state, since the “majority of the washers are more than 22 years old and requires costly repairs.” The washers and dryers service Hilo Medical Center, Ka’u Hospital, and Hale Hoola Hamakua.

Also, the Hilo Medical Center Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression Systems will get an $850,000 upgrade.

photo courtesy State of Hawaii

The money will help “replace fire alarm and fire suppression systems to protect the health and safety of patients, visitors, and employees; existing system will be redesigned to meet current national fire protection requirements,” the state says.

The state also sent a set of sad looking photos of the Hilo Medical Center Long-Term Care Facility, festooned with caution tape.

photo courtesy State of Hawaii

The state says $750,000 will go towards “planning of a new long-term care facility to replace the existing long-term care facility that no longer meets Medicare and Medicaid survey requirements.”

Also on the list for Hawaii Island:

$250,000 – Hilo Medical Center Patient Security System and Security Access System, Hawaii Island – Equipment for a patient security system and security access system to guard against infant abductions, dementia/Alzheimer patient elopements, and unauthorized access to sensitive areas; the system will also provide for the safety and security of patients, employees, and visitors, and meet the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Joint Commission regulations

$201,000 – Kau Hospital Renovations, Hawaii Island – Repairs to address items discovered during renovations of the roof, doors, windows, and air filtration and cooling systems, and hazardous material abatement; addresses repairs before additional renovations begin at the location

$199,000 – Kau Hospital Pluming Upgrades, Hawaii Island – Most of the pipes are more than 40 years old and require frequent repairs; in June, the hospital septic tanks were found to be corroding and posing a potential hazard to the integrity of the wastewater system; funds are needed to finance the engineering assessment and repair the system; the remainder of the funds will be used to design the plumbing upgrade within the facility

$75,000 – Kau Hospital Energy Audit, Hawaii Island – Determine cost-efficient ways to reduce energy usage and install energy-saving equipment such as variable frequency drives, controlling devices or programs, or modifying existing systemsState of Hawaii media release, Feb. 7, 2014