Gov. Neil Abercrombie will release $500,000 to restart construction on an expansion project for Molokai Community Health Center, which halted the project on Friday due to lack of funds.

The money, which is half the amount appropriated in the 2009 Legislature, will be released within the upcoming months, according to Donalyn Dela Cruz, Abercrombie’s press secretary.

“This will carry them for eight to 12 months,” she said. “In the meantime, the state Department of Health will facilitate a comprehensive medical plan so there’s no overlapping of services (with Molokai General Hospital). Once the plan is complete, we will then release the remainder of funds.”

The health center said it stopped construction because the previous administration failed to release $1 million needed to complete three phases of the center. The $500,000 will allow the center to complete just the first phase.

The federally-qualified health center plans to build an Oceanside Health and Wellness Center at the former Pau Hana Inn site.

Renovations of the facility started last July.