The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is expected to vote tomorrow on a proposal to restore nearly $1 million in funds cut from various cultural programs.

After nearly four hours of discussion yesterday, members of the HTA's budget committee voted to put back $988,000 for programs that included the popular Sunset on the Beach movies, nightly hula performances and half a year of airport greeting statewide.

The HTA needs to cut $17 million out of its $88 million annual budget in response to shrinking revenue from hotel-room taxes in the wake of a tourism slump that began last year.

Board member Leon Yoshida, president of Sawayaka Hawaii, which brings Japanese visitors to Hawai'i, was among those arguing that more money should be shifted from the cultural programs to marketing efforts.

"The crisis that we are are in right now is tremendous," Yoshida said. After 35 years in tourism, he predicted more layoffs and businesses closing before it gets better. "This is the worst I've seen," Yoshida said.

The discussion wore on for almost four hours as the members tried to strike a balance between marketing Hawai'i to attract more visitors and spending money to improve their experience when they're here.

The committee also voted to recommend restoring $75,000 in funds for the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, after executive director Lulani Arquette testified about the importance of balancing culture and enrichment activities with other tourism programs.

Earlier, the Waikiki Improvement Association had said that losing its funding could endanger Sunset on the Beach and nightly hula and torchlighting in Waikiki.

The committee also recommend restoring $40,000 for the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i, which assists visitors with a wide range of emergencies.

The full board will vote on the the recommendations at its regular monthly meeting tomorrow.