Hawai'i Democratic legislators are opposing planned layoffs in the state's film office and other economic development branches.

Rep. Angus McKelvey, D-10th (West Maui), said at a hearing at the state Capitol yesterday that it doesn't make sense to lay off specialists who bring millions of dollars into the state. McKelvey is the chairman of the House Economic Revitalization, Business and Military Affairs Committee.

But Ted Liu, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, argued that cuts are unavoidable and that employees who keep their jobs can do the work of their dismissed colleagues.

Up to 40 positions may be eliminated from Liu's agency.

Lawmakers plan to put their findings into a report for consideration by the full Legislature next year.