Gov. Linda Lingle has released $6 million for the design and construction of temporary facilities to house the University of Hawai'i-Hilo College of Pharmacy.

The new college is the first school recognized by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education to offer the doctor of pharmacy degree in Hawai'i. The inaugural 2007-2008 class of 90 students has been using classrooms and laboratories belonging to UH-Hilo's biology and chemistry departments.

Construction is scheduled to begin in February, and to be completed next fall.