Following the resignation last night of its embattled chief executive, the Hawaii Tourism Authority today appointed an interim leader.

Lloyd Unebasami, 59, has been appointed as the acting chief executive, said HTA Chairman Kelvin Bloom.

”;With Lloyd at the helm, the Board can focus on the important task of finding a permanent replacement to help Hawaii through the challenging times ahead,”; Bloom said.

Last night, Rex Johnson, the HTA's previous top executive, tendered his resignation following a grueling eight-hour closed-door meeting to discuss allegations that he had used his state laptop to send racist, sexist and pornographic e-mails to friends.

Unebasami, who has served as the chief administrative officer for the HTA since 2000, is well-prepared to guide the HTA, Bloom said.

“;With his strong commitment to public service, high level of integrity and extensive experience in administration, Lloyd is extremely qualified to handle the challenges ahead for the agency,”; he said.

Unebasami, who is a certified public accountant and University of Hawaii graduate, has served in various capacities in state government. He has previously served as the state's procurement administrator, deputy comptroller and the deputy director of taxation. He currently makes $165,000 a year and is slated to meet with the board to see whether a salary adjustment will come with his new job.

“;I appreciate the confidence that the Board has shown me,”; Unebasami said. “;HTA has a difficult task ahead due to the slowdown in Hawaii's economy and its affects on the visitor industry. Nevertheless, I will do my utmost to move the agency forward during these difficult times.”;

The HTA Administrative Committee will form a search committee to make a permanent replacement. Unebasami declined to say whether he would be interested in taking the position on a permanent basis.

However, State Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert said she is definitely not in the running.

“;I would not allow myself to be considered or the permanent job,”; Wienert said. “;It would be an honor, but it's not the right thing for the HTA.”;

Last night, Johnson did not make any comments during the public portion of the meeting and was not available for comment following the board's announcement. The terms of his resignation were not disclosed.

“;I want to thank the tourism industry leadership, community, staff and friends who have shown me so much support,”; Johnson said in a prepared statement yesterday. “;I intend to support Hawaii's tourism industry in whatever way that I can.”;

Johnson and the HTA had been under fire since June when a state auditor flagged his e-mail account for pornographic content. In August, the HTA disciplined Johnson for sending pornography by cutting his salary to $200,000 and reducing his contract to one year.

In September, new allegations surfaced that Johnson had also sent racist and sexist e-mails during the same time period. The material reignited the issue and divided the Hawaii community, the state visitor industry and the HTA board. Johnson had served the HTA since 2002.