The Hawaii Tourism Authority voted this morning to accept the National Football League's offer to bring the Pro Bowl back to the Islands in 2011 and 2012.

In voting 9-1 to bring the game back, the board agreed to pay the NFL $4 million each year.

In another action, the board unanimously approved the selection of Mike McCartney as president and CEO.

McCartney had been recommended to replace Rex Johnson.

The 10-member board rejected two previous proposals to bring the Pro Bowl back, but under mounting pressure, reconsidered its latest refusal.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with the state of Hawaii, which has embraced the Pro Bowl for 30 years," Frank Supovitz, the NFL's senior vice president of events, said in a statement.

The 2010 Pro Bowl will be played in Miami a week before the Super Bowl after a 30-year run in Hawaii in which every game was a sellout.

Supovitz said placing the Pro Bowl in the Islands on a rotational basis will maintain its ties to Hawaii while making it more accessible to fans on the Mainland.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona testified in favor of returning the Pro Bowl, saying "Hawaii is the Pro Bowl."

"San Francisco has the 49ers, Denver has the Broncos ... Hawaii has the Pro Bowl," Aiona said during his brief presentation.

A similar proposal was rejected a week ago by the board. The NFL then turned down the state's offer to completely rework another deal.

However, the NFL agreed to possibly return the Pro Bowl to the Sunday after the Super Bowl depending on the success, or failure, of the 2010 game in Miami.

"Now we do have the option of the Pro Bowl going back to the traditional after the Super Bowl date if 2010 isn't successful," board chairman Kelvin Bloom said.

Bloom said that was a key point in the board approving the bid.