HONOLULU -- An arbitrator has decided to cut the pay of some of the state's emergency workers and allow others to be furloughed, a decision for which the governor is disappointed.

The state asked an arbitrator to approve a 14 percent pay cut for prison guards, state mental hospital workers and others. Instead, the arbitrator cut their pay by nearly 5.5 percent and did not allow those crucial employees to go out on furlough.

The governor told KITV she's happy with the part of the ruling that does not allow for the furlough.

"I think the arbitrator was persuaded by our argument that we can't have furloughs for a 24-7 operation because it's going to end up costing us more in overtime if we have to bring people back. It's going to be very disruptive," Gov. Linda Lingle said.

The governor said she's very disappointed that the arbitrator approved 14 furlough days this year for workers at public hospitals throughout the state.

For city paramedics, the arbitrator decided on no furlough days until the summer, but up to 21 furlough days for the year beginning July 1.