The new U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Resource Center in Hilo was dedicated this week, with plans under way for a second phase to consolidate research efforts now spread across the state.

The center's director, Dennis Gonsalves, said the new complex just mauka of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo in the Science and Technology Park has 34,500 square feet of space. Researchers there will study new crops with potential for the state; problems presented by fruit flies; and methods for treating crops for export.

A second phase is planned to add another 29,000 square feet. The two phases together will cost a total of about $46.7 million.