In responding to many of the mass layoffs that took place over the course of the year, the state Department of Labor's rapid response team learned a few lessons.

DLIR's team typically offers information on unemployment rights, work-force development resources and how to file for benefits.

The top concerns for individuals who have been laid off is how to pay bills, followed by health care coverage, according to Elaine Young, director of the rapid response team.

In the Aloha Airlines layoff, many workers were still in shock when the team arrived. DLIR soon found that bringing in counselors was necessary to address the emotional trauma people were going through.

A hot line was set up, and brochures with resources went out.

DLIR Director Darwin Ching said employees given advance warning make the transition more smoothly than those who find out suddenly.

“;When they find out last minute or aren't told directly, that's when they get angry,”; said Ching.

His advice to employers faced with the task of laying off workers: “;Treat them with respect and dignity. Treat them as adults, and don't spring it on them last minute.”;

It really can be a traumatic experience.

“;It's almost like divorce or death,”; said Young. “;You go through this period where you're in shock and then depression.”;

When Aloha Airlines shut down, many of the workers who had family leave were suddenly without it. Many also had identified with the company for so long that it was difficult to imagine working anywhere else.

“;That group of people in particular has had a lot of difficulty,”; said Sarah Hodell, counselor and career specialist at Windward Community College. “;It's more than losing a job; it's losing their family.”;

Hodell said a mass layoff affects the whole person, the family dynamics and community, and she is organizing additional training for counselors in upcoming months.

It also affects self-esteem.

“;In our society, we define ourselves by what we do all day long to make a living,”; she said. “;Unemployment will eat away at anybody's self-esteem in our culture.”;

Many former Aloha Airlines workers have since moved on to other jobs, whether at Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines or outside the airline industry.

Some joined the state, while others joined Hawaii Pacific Health and one became a weekend weather anchor at KITV.

About a dozen work at the new Whole Foods Market at Kahala Mall, some went to Hickam Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Phillis Dayao, supervisor for the state's Career Kokua department, helps people assess their skills to figure out what other occupations would match. The assessment is available online at http://www.careerkokua.org.

For instance, a former Aloha Airlines flight attendant has public speaking and caring skills, motor coordination, decision-making abilities and qualities such as dependability, flexibility and teamwork. This can translate to other jobs including a teacher's aide or licensed nurse, with further training. Qualified applicants can get funds for training expenses.

A number of one-stop career centers around the state offer free job-search assistance, access to the Internet, and classes on resume writing and interviewing skills.

Beth Busch, president of JobQuest Hawaii, said sometimes being laid off is an opportunity to pursue a new career. “;Sometimes it's the push you need.”;

But unfortunately, tough economic times also mean taking a job just to pay the bills.

“;People don't have the luxury of sitting back,”; said Busch. “;The ones I'm talking to are saying we need to get back to work.”;

What was formerly a job seeker's market is no longer the case, with unemployment in Hawaii at 4.5 percent. Busch expects as many as 6,000 to attend the next job fair in January, up from about 4,500 in September.