The HVB on Monday reported that 111,090 people came from Canada, which is up 26.8 percent from the first quarter 1995, and 839,570 people came from the mainland, up 2.6 percent.

The South Atlantic region was the fastest growing, with arrivals from Georgia increasing 40 percent thanks, in part, to increased service from Atlanta by Delta Air Lines, HVB officials said.

California arrivals also put a jump on the count with an added 5.7 increase in visitors during the first quarter. European visitors increased 4.9 percent boosting their total numbers to 40,550 visitors.

Although Canadians have been the driving force behind this year's visitor increase in the islands, the market is expected to slow down this summer. Tourists from the mainland's southeast are expected to decline, as well, when the Olympics open in Atlanta.

However, HVB officials say their television ad campaign will hopefully spur more visitors this year. Other factors that should keep the visitors coming to the islands include airline companies, such as United and two German and Alaska charters, that have recently increased their flights to Hawaii.