Hawaii hotel occupancy falls

Almost 40% of the state’s hotel rooms languished empty in September, the highest rate since the Hawaii tourism downturn in the aftermath of 9/11, a research firm said.

Average statewide hotel occupancy plunged 11 percentage points to 63.2% from 74.2% a year earlier, research firm Hospitality Advisors said.

Occupancy hovered in the mid-50% range in the months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.