Filming of the new season of "Hawaii Five-0" got underway Wednesday with the Hawaiian blessing of the production at the show’s new home at the Hawaii Film Studio near Diamond Head.

Production was previously done out of the former Honolulu Advertiser site on Kapiolani Boulevard, but the move to the studio began in April because the former newspaper building was sold.

Star cast members Alex O’Loughlin and Daniel Dae Kim helped with the untying of the maile lei at the blessing, and Mayor Kirk Caldwell was among the guests.

"We want to continue to honor the cultural traditions of Hawaii," executive producer Peter Lenkov said. "And now that we’re in a real studio, it feels like home."

In last season’s cliffhanger episode, the future of Grace Park’s character, Kono Kalakaua, was left up in the air as she departed with her boyfriend for parts unknown. "Grace is still in the show," Lenkov assured Wednesday. "We have an interesting story arc for her this season, and I actually think this first batch of scripts are really special."

The Hawaii Film Studio was previously home to ABC’s "Lost," and Lenkov said some of that show’s cast members will be making appearances on "Five-0."

"Terry O’Quinn will be back (reprising his role as retired SEAL Joe White) and Jorge Garcia will be a guest as well. Plus there’ll be a big casting announcement soon," he said.

Season 4 production had actually begun before the blessing with a location shoot in Waimanalo. The season’s first episode is titled "Aloha Kekahi I Kekahi," or "love one another."

When shooting is not being done on location, interior scenes for "Hawaii Five-0" will happen at the studio’s two soundstages in stationary sets, such as for the squad’s headquarters, morgue, interior of Steve McGarrett’s house, and interrogation room. The high-security set where the villainous Wo Fat was held is still in the Advertiser building and will be used one last time.

"Hawaii Five-0" moves from its Monday time slot to Friday this season, and Lenkov said "I’m excited by the move. I’m hoping our core audience will follow us to our new Friday home, and that we’ll also attract a bunch of new eyes to the show."

Lenkov said he’s also bringing on some new writers, particularly John Dove, who worked on "CSI: NY" for nine years, and Steve Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt from the canceled Fox series "Alcatraz."

As with previous years, Hawaii will get to see the season premiere at Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki a day earlier than its national broadcast on Sept. 27.

"If last year felt like a movie, this year it’s going to be a big blockbuster," Lenkov said.