***Updated on Jan. 3.***

A ceremony was held Thursday morning celebrating the renovation of the busy bus terminal in downtown Hilo’s Mo`oheau Park.

The ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. with remarks from Mayor Billy Kenoi and others followed by music and hula.

“A benefit to this downtown area is a benefit to everyone,” Kenoi said.

The performances mirrored those performed for “Hilo Hula Days,” which are sponsored at the bandstand on days cruise ships are in port by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association.

The sinks in the men’s bathroom before renovation (left) and after. Photos by Dave Smith.

The $664,000 project funded by the county Department of Parks and Recreation involved replacement of the bus terminal’s roof, windows and doors of the park’s bus terminal and renovation of its restrooms. The work also included ADA upgrades to both the terminal and the nearby Mo`oheau Bandstand.

Work on the project began on Aug. 13 and was completed Dec. 24.

Eden Patino, right, of the Downtown Hilo Improvement Association assisted in the making of snow flakes. Photo by Dave Smith.

Thursday was also “Make a Snowflake Day” at Mo`oheau Park, which is part of a nationwide effort to support the victims, families and teachers of last month’s shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

The public was invited to gather at the bandstand to make paper snowflakes that will be sent to the school to welcome students back to school. The effort was being coordinated by the Connections Public Charter School PTSO.