Governor Lingle today released $2,825,000 for various improvements to the Hawai`i State Hospital in Kane`ohe.

The funds will be used to create new patient space for a psychiatric intensive care unit, renovate cottages to use for transitional out-patient housing, install security fencing and surveillance systems, reroof the administration wing of the Guensberg Building and reconstruct an access road, a news release from Lingle's office stated.

"The state has made tremendous progress in improving our mental health system in the past few years, which includes advancing from worst in the nation to eleventh best, and implementing successful reforms at the Hawai'i State Hospital to end 15 years of federal court oversight," Lingle said in a released statement. "This investment in the upgrade of the Hawai'i State Hospital's physical infrastructure will help ensure the state and its partners can continue to improve the quality of mental healthcare and services."