The state Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology has voted to defer indefinitely a proposal by Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona to create a volunteer Hawai'i Sports Commission.

In faulting the decision, Aiona said yesterday that residents from across the state had stepped forward to support such a commission.

Aiona says there is no statewide organization with the full-time responsibility to attract, develop, manage and promote sports and sporting events in the Islands.

He said the state is missing out on its share of an industry that generates more than $4 billion a year, money that could be spent in local communities.