Video by David Corrigan | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

It was a joyous day for government and community in Kona on Thursday, as a large crowd of county employees, leaders, and media attended the blessing of the West Hawaii Civic Center.

The $50 and a half million dollar complex broke ground in 2008, and finished on time and under budget.

The new civic center boasts 80,000 square feet of office space, and consolidates over 200 workers that were spread all over Kona – from Kealakekua to Kailua – into one space, here in Kealalehe. Many of those workers were onhand for Thursday’s celebration, watching from the numerous balconies and stairwells surrounding the central rotunda.

Mayor Billy Kenoi spoke with Big Island Video News after the ceremony.

Former Kona councilwoman Virginia Isbell was on hand, as was former Mayor Harry Kim. Both were in office when the project came to fruition.

The area’s treasured kupuna were also in attendance, and all were treated to hula by kupuna and keiki under the direction of Kumu Keala Ching.