The state Department of Land and Natural Resources broke ground Monday for its new Maui Annex, with construction slated to begin early next year.

The current DLNR offices at 130 Mahalani St. will be demolished, and a new 7,000-square-foot, single-story building will house the divisions of Aquatic Resources and State Historic Preservation, as well as land and engineering offices.

Construction will take one to two years to complete, costing $7.8 million.

“Construction of the new building will provide improved functionality, infrastructure, storage, security, and better meet future operational needs,” Suzanne Case, DLNR chairwoman, said in a news release. “The new building and site layout will also provide a larger paved parking area for the public and DLNR staff, and easier access to the Divisions,” she said.

Utility improvements on Mahalani Street adjacent to the property will also be done. In addition, an energy-efficient design for the new building includes shading, more ambient lighting and a photovoltaic system, the release said.

The design consultant firm for this project is the Limtiaco Consulting Group.The contractor is Maui Kupono Builders.

Until construction is completed, the aquatic resources, historic preservation and engineering offices have temporarily relocated to the Maalaea Small Boat Harbor building, where they opened for normal service beginning Monday on the first floor of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation office building at 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Road. Parking is available on the harbor property. Phone numbers will remain the same: Aquatic Resources, 243-5294; State Historic Preservation, 243-5641; Engineering, 243-5187. Mail should be sent to 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Road, Wailuku, HI 96793.