Faced with a shrinking budget, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority was forced to cut by more than 20 percent the funding it provides to a range of community events from the Kaua'i music festival to the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island.

More than 100 events and projects across the state will receive a total of $1.7 million from the HTA's County Product Enrichment Program this year, down from $2.2 million in 2008.

HTA product development manager Robbie Kane said the agency tried to spread the money across more events this year as the amount of funding was reduced as part of budget-cutting measures implemented at the tourism agency.

The enrichment program was created in 2002 as a partnership between HTA and the counties. The four counties receive HTA funding for projects in the areas of agritourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, edutourism, health and wellness tourism, and technotourism.

The most given to any organization this year was $40,000 each for community theater productions at Iao Theater on Maui and the Mokihana music festival on Kaua'i. Another music festival on Kaua'i and the Honolulu Family Festival at Magic Island on O'ahu got $30,000 each.

On the Big Island, the Alliance For Culture & Arts will present the first Bob Marley Day Concert and Agricultural Fair in Hilo Feb. 8 with the help of $5,000 from HTA. The event will honor the late reggae icon with bands, locally grown foods, seeds and trees to plant, children's activities from noon to 5 p.m. at Mo'oheau Park Bandstand.

Other events include film festivals, ethnic celebrations such as Okinawan, Korean and Filipino events and the paniolo-centered Western Week in Honoka'a on the Big Island.

The program helps diversify Hawai'i's tourism by providing community-based events, experiences and projects for visitors, said Lloyd Unebasami, HTA interim president and CEO.

With tourism arrivals slumping, the agency is increasingly scrutinized for spending on enhancing the visitor experience versus spending marketing money to attract more tourists here.

"The programs that were awarded funding represent the diversity, culture and values of Hawai'i, while providing the 'so much more Hawai'i' experience for repeat guests to our islands." Unebasami said.

Kane said the events funded by the HTA not only enhance the visitors' experience but improve quality of life for residents.

She said the agency also supports newer events such as the Hawaii Fishing and Seafood Festival launched last year.