Additional work on the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's North Hawai'i Education and Research Center kicked off last week with a blessing at the facility at the old Honoka'a Hospital.

The $2.9 million project will add more than 2,000 square feet to the center's overall operations, including 30- and 50-seat classrooms, five faculty offices, two storage rooms and new restrooms. Work is already under way on three large rooms where a Heritage Center will be housed.

The facility is UH-Hilo's outreach center for the North Hawai'i region, from Laupahoehoe through the Hamakua Coast to Kohala. It opened two years ago, and now features a computer lab, 20- and 30-seat classrooms, a distance-learning lab and 140-seat conference room in addition to offices and a reception area.