Hawaiians want Target jobs

If the turnout at a job fair held last week in Hawaii is any indication, Target will be warmly received when it arrives in the nation’s 50th state next year.

According to Pacific Business News, more than 1,000 applicants turned out for the first day of a four-day job fair the retailer held last week at the Hawaii Convention Center. The company is looking to hire workers for two stores scheduled to open March 8, 2009, at Kapolei Commons and in a former Costco location in Bougainville, according to the news service.

The interest in Target openings is noteworthy because the unemployment rate in Hawaii is considerably lower than the mainland. In October, Hawaii’s unemployment rate was 4.5%, compared with the national average of 6.5%.