HONOLULU -- Key members of Hawaii's Hispanic community Wednesday blasted Councilman Rod Tam for using an ethnic slur.

Last month at a council meeting, Tam said he was worried about undocumented workers taking Hawaii jobs.

"They got to be skilled licensed workers. We don't want any wetbacks basically. We have been having contractors, developers bringing in wetbacks from New Mexico... from Mexico, I'm sorry," Tam said during the meeting.

Tam was talking about workers for the planned West Oahu University. He later apologized.

President of Hawaii's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Marie Villa said since Tam's remarks, she has be receiving angry emails from Hispanics all over the country.

Hawaii Hispanic News has been flooded with calls.

"Councilman Tam needs to come to our community and apologize to us face-to-face," Hawaii Hispanic News Publisher Jose Villa said.

Some council members wanted the issue to pass.

"I understand. We are all human beings. Can you not forgive?" Councilman Romy Cachola said.

"No, sir. It is not about forgiveness. He tried to excuse it himself, saying I didn't know how I was saying it, but he knew exactly in what context he was using it," Villa said. "He did not come to the community to apologize."

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Tam Told KITV he will not go to Hawaii's Hispanics to apologize. Instead, he said he wants to work on what he calls "racial understanding projects" with them.

"I publicly said I made a mistake. How people may react toward this term, although it is a legal term, I guess I've got to be more politically correct," Tam said.

All council members, including Tam voted for the council to censure Tam. Councilman Charles Djou also asked that Tam be fired as Zoning Committee chairman.

However, Honolulu City Council Chairwoman Barbara Marshall said that wasn't going to happen. She said she thought Tam's response was adequate.

Tam's council term is up in a year and half. Tam cannot run for council again because of term limits, but he said he intends to remain in public office.

Tam has filed with the State Campaign Spending Commission to raise money for the lieutenant governor's race in 2010.