The January figures, compiled by the accounting and consulting firm PKF-Hawaii, show statewide occupancy of 74.22 percent last month, down from 78.34 percent in January 1996. Room rates last month averaged $144 a day, an 8.3 percent increase from $132.95 in the year-earlier month.

"January's statistics indicate continued softness in Hawaii's visitor industry, with statewide occupancy decreasing for the ninth consecutive month," said Ernest Watari, PKF-Hawaii chairman and chief executive. "High room rates, which have increased substantially during the past two years, may be contributing to lower occupancies."

In Waikiki, occupancy slipped by more than four percentage points to 81.44 percent last month, from 85.94 percent in January 1996. The average Waikiki room rate was up 8.4 percent, however, at $133.21 a day compared with $122.90 in the year-earlier month.

Big Island occupancy averaged 63.89 percent last month, basically unchanged from 63.6 percent in January 1996. But Big Island hotels managed an average 15.4 percent increase in room rates, to $149.81 last month compared with $129.83 in January 1996.

Maui occupancy slipped to 71.63 percent, from 75.1 percent. But Maui properties raised their average room rate 4.3 percent to $167.46 from $160.62 a year earlier. Kauai had a January occupancy average of 56.43 percent, compared with 57.58 percent in January 1996, but raised its average daily room rate 7 percent to $153.78, from $143.64. Molokai occupancy dipped to 45.39 percent last month from 57.61 percent. However, the average Molokai room rate rose 2 percent to $83.66 last month from $81.98.