The continued rise in crude oil prices is not doing any good for Hawaii's tourism sector for this year. It has also caused tourists to spend less on their holidays in order to afford gasoline for their vehicles. This issue, among other items, was discussed during a meeting by the Hawaii House Tourism Committee.

The meeting was held to serve as informational briefing on certain issues regarding the tourism industry. Also part of the discussions was the possibility of using tourism funds in order to help with the budget problem facing the state of Hawaii.

Calling for the meeting was Rep. Tom Brower. The congressman says that he wanted to ask his fellow officials what their thoughts are regarding the state's economy and even the current discussion on the budget. Meanwhile, economist from the University of Hawaii Carl Bonham says that the continued rise in prices will most likely decrease increases that were forecasted earilier by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.