Looking to help some 9,000 ATA Airlines passengers stranded in Hawaii by the carrier's sudden shutdown, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority today approved tapping a $5 million emergency fund to help hire charter flights to get people home.

The state tourism agency scheduled the emergency meeting to respond to the double blows of two airlines shutting down service to Hawai'i in the same week — ATA and Aloha Airlines.

The April 2 shutdown hit hard because ATA ran 12 daily flights to Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Rex Johnson, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, said the announcement of ATA's closing on the heels of Aloha meant quick action was needed to help stranded passengers.

"Hawai'i's reputation is on the line," Johnson said."We needed to get something done."

With spring break season just nearing the end, he said seats were already tight. He credited Hawaiian Airlines for helping to fly extra flights to get the Aloha backlog of customers back home.

But the few seats remaining after that special effort were quickly grabbed up by the thousands of ATA passengers stuck with worthless tickets. And that's why the state agency is taking the unusual step of looking at underwriting flights.

"The next three days will be very, very tough," Johnson said.

He said the industry is helping to try to get these passengers home within "a reasonable time" but it's not clear how long that will take. "This includes visitors trying to return to the Mainland as well as Hawai'i residents on the Mainland who are trying to return home," Johnson said.

He said the agency pitched the idea to as many airlines as possible in a request for proposals issued yesterday.

The Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau is constantly updating its Web site at www.gohawaii.com/ata to pass on any new developments for available seats, hotel deals and more.

John Monahan, president and CEO of HVCB, said the visitor industry has been responding to the unique situation. He didn't have a clear estimate of how many days it might take to fly our all the visitors. "It's really hard to tell," he said.

Various hotels statewide are offering special discounts to stranded passengers for extended or emergency accommodations.

"While we anticipate some short-term impact to Hawai'i's air service, we are hopeful that there will be minimal long-term disruption," Johnson said.

The agency is working with the state Legislature, HVCB, the state tourism liaison and the Hawai'i Hotel and Lodging Association to address long-term solutions.