The University of Hawaii is several months ahead of schedule on construction of its $120 million Cancer Center in Kakaako.

UH officials unveiled updated architectural renderings yesterday at a blessing and symbolic burial of a lauhala basket containing cards from hundreds of cancer survivors.

Construction of the 150,000-square-foot project is now scheduled to be completed late next year instead of 2013, said Kellie Tormey, UH Cancer Center director of communications and community affairs.

The building is still scheduled to open in early 2013 and is envisioned as the focal point of the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine campus in Kakaako. Construction began six months ago and is being financed with UH revenue bonds.

Primary builders include AC Kobayashi and Structure Tone, an East Coast research laboratory general contractor. The architect is Shimokawa Nakamura Inc.

The project is providing 300 jobs with the hiring of more than 30 local firms, Tormey said. Upon completion, the center is expected to house more than 450 researchers, faculty and staff.