More Hawaii residents moved to the U.S. mainland through the past year than vice versa, helping to keep the state's population growth rate relatively low, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Hawaii's estimated population reached 1,295,178 this year, up 7,697 from the previous year, largely due to more births than deaths. There was a net inflow of 4,033 new residents from foreign countries, but a net outflow of 5,298 local residents to the mainland.

Hawaii's population grew just six-tenths of 1 percent between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009, lagging the U.S. population as a whole, which rose nine-tenths of 1 percent.

“;I think that lower growth rate is mainly due to out-migration to the mainland,”; said Eugene Tian, research and statistics officer for the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “;I believe it is economic-related and I also feel it is a short-term phenomenon.”;

A similar situation occurred in slow economic times in the 1990s, Tian said yesterday. “;This is the first time we lost residents due to migration since 2002, except for one year when there was a big military deployment.”;

Hawaii's population grew on average by 9,000 residents per year between 2000 and 2009, he said. It was at 1,211,537 in 2000.

The increase in the last year, as well as over the previous decade, is due largely to natural causes, with births outpacing deaths, Tian said. Between July 1, 2008, and July 1, 2009, there were 19,093 births compared with 9,792 deaths.