Every community college in the University of Hawai'i system saw decreases in fall enrollment that are being attributed largely to low unemployment rates and the booming economy.

"This happens every time the economy gets really hot," said Mike Rota, associate vice president for UH community colleges.

Cumulatively, fall enrollment at community colleges dropped by 2.8 percent compared with last year, with individual decreases ranging from 0.4 percent to 4.5 percent, UH officials said.

The largest decrease came at Honolulu Community College, with the number of registered students down 4.5 percent.

Rota said this is typical of what happens at many community colleges in a booming job market, when many potential students opt to work rather than attend class.

"Community college enrollment is made up largely of working adults," Rota said. "They have to decide between working additional hours or taking a course."

Patrick Stuart, student government president at HCC, said the decrease in student enrollment has not had any noticeable effect on campus.

But he said many students have chosen to go to work instead of studying a vocation or trade. "With such low unemployment rates, probably that is the biggest reason," Stuart said.

Heidi Spencer Norris, a 22-year-old fashion technology student at HCC, also said many students are opting to work. "Some people can't afford to go to school, so they work instead," she said.

This is the second year of fall enrollment decreases for Windward Community College, even as the college has become more visible through marketing and community involvement, said Angela Meixell, the college's chancellor.

"This does not come as a surprise," Meixell said. She also said enrollment at her school is tied to economic trends.

It is much the same story at Maui Community College, on an island where recent unemployment rates have been near 2.7 percent, according to state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations figures. "Students are being confronted by job opportunities and a workforce shortage on the island," said Clyde Sakamoto, chancellor at the college.

Systemwide enrollment numbers are leveling off after five years of steady increases, according to UH officials. Out of all 10 UH system campuses, only UH's three four-year campuses saw enrollment increases this fall.

UH-Manoa's enrollment increased by 0.8 percent; UH-Hilo's increased by 2 percent; and UH-West O'ahu's increased by 2.6 percent.

Neal Smatresk, vice chancellor of academic administration at UH-Manoa, said the slight increase in enrollment was better than predictions that enrollment would remain flat.

"The community colleges are more directly coupled to the economy, but there is an impact on the four-year colleges as well," he said.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.