The Hawaii Tourism Authority lacks a long-term strategic plan and is unable to "demonstrate that its promotional dollars have been spent purposefully and effectively," the state auditor said in a report released today.

"We found that the authority's year-to-year approach to planning and program implementation hinders its ability to strategically manage the long-term growth of Hawai'i's visitor industry," said the report from state auditor Marion Higa.

The report highlights perceived problems with the agency at a crucial time for tourism — with the state's No. 1 private industry experiencing a slump,

"By failing to define its own strategies and account for its efforts, the authority has not fulfilled its leadership role to manage Hawai'i tourism in a sustainable manner during times of economic decline or prosperity," Higa said.

In its response, the agency's administrators told the auditor that is is in the process of developing an operational plan to address the audit's findings and to develop a long-range plan.

To read the 68-page report on the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, go to the state auditor's Web site at: www.state.hi.us/auditor/Reports/2009/09-02.pdf.