Council recognizes Konawaena High School girls basketball and Honokaa High School boys soccer teams - State Champs! (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Margaret Masunaga)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

The County Council hosted a blessing Wednesday morning before its first full meeting at the new West Hawaii Civic Center.

After a mail lei blessing and ceremony by Kahu Danny Akaka Jr., the public was invited into the council chambers, where the council honored two high school teams of state championships during its inaugural meeting.

The Konawaena High School girls basketball team and the Honokaa boys soccer team traveled to Oahu for their respective state tournaments and returned to the Big Island as champions.

Most county agencies and offices moved into the new complex last month and the civic center served as the West Hawaii emergency operations center and shelter during last week’s tsunami.

About 150 residents and visitors spent Thursday night at the center after coastal areas were evacuated.