A record 225 local and Mainland recruiters, including 25 first-time participants, sought workers yesterday at the state's largest job fair.

Businesses included startups such as Hawaii Superferry and Señor Frog's, which plans to open its first Hawai'i restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in July.

A total of 4,350 job seekers attended the all-day event at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

"I think it all goes back to the low unemployment rate and the booming economy," said Mary Long, director of account services at Success Advertising, one of the job fair's organizers. "There's still a lot of jobs and opportunities out there."

Doug Murata, Hawaii Superferry's director of human resources, said his company was surprised by the interest from potential job candidates. Murata said that the company's booth ran out of brochures by midmorning and had to restock twice during the day.

More than 600 people came by to inquire about the 130 mostly part-time openings at the company, which plans start its service later this summer, he said.

"Hawai'i's low unemployment rate is a concern for us, especially on the Neighbor Islands," Murata said. "So we were surprised by the number of people who were interested in the Superferry."

Leni Tasi of Manoa was one of those prospective workers who applied for an opening with the ferry company.

Tasi, who studies travel industry management at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, said she was interested in a job in the transportation field such as the airline or ferry business.

"I found plenty of opportunities in areas where I could build my career," she said.

The jobs weren't limited to entry-level positions.

Wailua resident Anuenue Castillo said she was surprised by the number of midlevel sales positions advertised at yesterday's fair. Castillo said she applied for openings with Roberts Hawaii Tours and Jeans Warehouse Inc.

Many of the prospective employees already have jobs but were interested in better-paying positions with better prospects for advancement.

Hau'ula resident Tinei Tei said he attended yesterday's fair to see what kind of federal jobs are being offered.

Tei, a case manager at Hale Kipa Inc., which works with troubled youths, said he recently became interested in positions at the federal detention center near the airport, especially if there's "opportunity for upward mobility."