The FBI will centralize different operations of its Honolulu bureau by building a state-of-the-art facility on 10 acres of dusty brush that was part of the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station.

The FBI and fellow law enforcement agencies broke ground on the $65 million project Thursday morning. The four-story main office building, a one-story annex and a parking lot are expected to be completed at Roosevelt Avenue and Enterprise Street in August 2012.

Frank Montoya Jr., FBI’s Honolulu special agent in charge since January, said the Hawaii office has grown from 15 agents in 1971 to 115 today. The office also consists of 120 staff people from analysts to clerks.

Penrose/Walsh FBI Honolulu LLC won a contract to build the field office and then lease the facility to the FBI for a minimum of 20 years at $8.2 million annually.

Several dignitaries applauded the decision — made years ago — to locate the facility in Kapolei.

Anthony Ching, executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, which guides development of Kalaeloa, said the field office will be the "gateway project to the Kalaeloa Development District." The Enterprise-Roosevelt intersection historically has been the western entrance to the air station.

The relocation from nearly two floors of the Federal Building on Ala Moana Boulevard to the Kapolei region has pluses and minuses, Montoya said. "The big plus is that we get a building," he said. It will also be "a little bit roomier," although how much so wasn’t exactly clear.

"The downside is a lot of people live toward Honolulu, and now they’re going to have to commute this way." But at least the parking will be free, he said.

Jeff Neely, acting Pacific region administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration, said the decision to move to Kalaeloa was based largely on space considerations.

Neely said the FBI’s move also makes it easier for his agency to proceed with renovation of the downtown federal building.