Bankruptcy filings in Hawai'i continued to climb in January, fueled by individuals and couples declaring insolvency.

Filings at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu show there was a 75 percent increase in bankruptcy petitions filed through yesterday afternoon compared with January 2008. Bankruptcy filings totaled 200 through yesterday, up from 114 in January 2008.

"A lot of it is related to the bad economy," said Mike Collins, an attorney with Cain & Herren, a Wailuku law firm specializing in consumer bankruptcies. "Hours are being cut, commissions aren't being made, or they're being laid off."

Filings have been rising here as Hawai'i's economy contracts, making it difficult for some families to keep up with mortgage payments and other expenses. But while there has been a dramatic increase in filings, the overall rate in Hawai'i has been one of the lowest in the nation.

A report by the Administrative Office of the Courts found Hawai'i bankruptcy filings per capita is the lowest behind Alaska. Hawai'i had a filing rate of 1.41 for every 1,000 residents in the 12 months ended Sept. 30. That was less than the national average of 3.38.

Collins said he sees many people who are involved in Maui's hospitality or real-estate industries, which have been hurt in the slump. Many come to discharge debts in bankruptcies because they want to avoid deficiency judgments if their homes are sold through foreclosure.