A group of Hawaii business leaders and lawmakers brainstormed ways to keep the cash-strapped state government running in a sour economy during their first meeting yesterday.

The state's reinventing government task force, created by Hawaii lawmakers earlier this year, is trying to eliminate government waste and save money without cutting core services, such as education, basic health care and public safety.

That kind of cash is needed now more than ever, as Hawaii faces an estimated $1 billion budget shortfall over the next 20 months. The deficit has led to new union contracts causing schools to close 17 days a year — starting today — and most other state government employees to take 18 unpaid days off this year and 24 next year.

"Hopefully we'll come up with some ideas that make sense, but nobody has ready answers," said John Monahan, president of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.

The group was short on specifics yesterday. Initial proposals include handing over responsibilities and money from the state government to county governments so they can manage parks, highways and road repair.

Other ideas would allow county and state workers to share construction equipment or use computer records instead of paper.

Tax increases also may be discussed, although the focus is on prioritizing government services and identifying areas that could be cut.

"If we want these same services to keep being provided, we're going to have to ante up and pay for them," said Randy Perreira, executive director for the Hawaii Government Employees Association and a task force member.

The task force will meet every other week over the next two months in hopes of coming up with recommendations that could be pitched to lawmakers before the 2010 legislative session.