HONOLULU -- Leaders in the state House of Representatives called a special session next month to deal with the economic crisis in the visitor industry caused by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

2001 LEGISLATURE Senators Representatives

Since the attacks, airliners coming into Honolulu have been largely empty, and hotel occupancy rates across the state have been dismal.

"What we want to do is to try and keep as much cash in the economy as possible," Gov. Ben Cayetano said on "Good Morning Hawaii."

Waikiki hotels have been offering kama`aina rates as low as $90 per night for an oceanfront room in order to lure local residents into spending money.

"Come on down. Help support the economy. Help support your neighbors, your fellow co-workers," Nyla Brennan of the Radisson Prince Kuhio said. "We have all got to work together."

Lawmakers will meet in a special session in mid-October to take up a half-dozen bills, including releasing $10 million in excess room tax revenues for tourism promotion.

"It is going to have to be something out of the box," House Speaker Calvin Say said.

Ideas include a telethon to attract Japanese tourists back to the islands or promotions featuring Hawaii-born sumo wrestlers living in Japan. Lawmakers will also consider releasing more money for government construction and extending a tax break that was supposed to expire this year for hotel owners who renovate or build new properties.

House and senate leaders will also consider bills for worker training programs and to extend the current six-month limit on unemployment benefits.

"Some of us are looking at extending it a year, depending on the proposals," Senate President Robert Bunda said.

DISCUSSION: Can Anything Be Done To Save The Island Economy?