PAHOA, Hawai'i — After decades of promises and delays, Pahoa High and Intermediate has broken ground on a gym — the first the school has ever had.

"The class of 1972 was promised by the then-governor that they would have a new gym," Principal Dean Cevallos said Wednesday at a gathering of dignitaries, community members, school staff and students. "It's finally here, and you'll be able to hit the ball high and it won't go into the rafters."

The reference was a poke at the cramped county gym the school has used since 1942.

Speakers — including Mayor Billy Kenoi, state Sen. Russell Kokubun, Rep. Faye Hanohano and Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole — handed much of the credit to Helene Hale, 91, who has been involved in Big Island politics for 50 years.

The gym will be named the Helene H. Hale State Gymnasium in honor of the former state representative, who represented Puna in the Legislature from 2000 to 2006, and fought to get the gym built years earlier when she was on the Hawai'i County Council.

"She isn't just a servant leader, she's a servant warrior," said Kenoi, who promised to hold Hale on his shoulder so she could take the first shot when the gym is completed. "She's been fighting the good fight longer than many of us have been alive."

"It was supposed to happen in May two years ago," Hale said. "I told them (then) I'm 89 and hope to at least see the groundbreaking."

The $8.2 million gym will have hardwood floors, bleachers, a concession area and offices for the athletic director and athletic trainers. The 16,000-square-foot building will partially cover an area now being used for outdoor basketball courts.

With a 1,000-seat capacity, it'll be big enough to hold graduation ceremonies that now have to be held at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.