The current contract between the state and the NFL expires in 2009. The NFL had the option of moving the game in 2009, with the requirement that the game return to Hawai'i in 2010, Hannemann said.

"I'm pleased to report that in discussions I had this morning with the National Football League, the game will be played in 2009 in Honolulu, Hawai'i," Hannemann said at a news conference this morning.

Hannemann said the news is important for visitor industry officials, adding that the event draws more than 20,000 visitors here.

"Secondly, I believe it gives state officials and those of us in the city that want to be supportive an opportunity to develop a well defined strategy to keep the game in Hawai'i beyond 2009," he said. "One of the ideas I threw out, for example, is if we should have to lose the Pro Bowl, maybe what the NFL should do and work with us is give us an opportunity for a pre-season football game during the year that the Pro Bowl is not played here."