A blessing and dedication was held Monday for the County’s new Senior Center in Pahoa. Hawai`i Carpenter’s Union apprentices and County personnel transformed the former Pahoa Fire Station into a community gathering place.

County officials say the convenient location in the center of town will be used to provide a variety of classes and programs offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division, including Senior ID, Senior Employment, and the RSVP volunteer program.

Mayor Billy Kenoi also took the occasion to announce that work has begun on a $5.5 million, 56-acre regional park, which he said will be the “nicest on the island.”