HONOLULU -- People in Hawaii have given less money at red kettles across the state so far this year, compared to last year at this time, the Salvation Army said.

Donations are down 7.5 percent this year so far, or about $18,000 less than last year at this time.

The Salvation Army has people collecting donations at 100 red kettle sites around the state.

The red kettle campaign began a week before Thanksgiving Day.

"I know the economy is very tight, but even though, they want to try, because I'm here, because everybody, this community, it's wonderful people," volunteer Yasko Amano said.

"I think the people are giving less because of this economy. People simply don't have the discretionary income to be quite as generous as maybe they have been in the past," Salvation Army Maj. Edward Hill said.

Hill heads the Salvation Army in Hawaii. He said that while donations are down, needs are greater than ever before.

The Salvation Army's annual Thanksgiving meal at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center normally serves about 1,800 people, this year more than 2,000 people showed up from every walk of life.

The Salvation Army's red kettle program must raise $700,000 this year to provide different services year round, officials said.

"Food, clothing, shelter, addiction treatment services, we have adult day care programs, summer camps," Hill said.

Krista Ruggieri, 10, and her dad donated at the Manoa Safeway on Wednesday night.

"I just want them to be happy, happy and healthy," she said.

"I'm trying to give a little more, given all that you've said. That's why we've just donated on the way out, before I noticed you were here," Bob Ruggieri said.

"Certainly we hope that as time progresses, and people get more in the Christmas spirit, that they'll continue to remember the Salvation Army, and give more and more," Hill said.

The Salvation Army said you can invite your friends and relatives to donate by creating your own red kettle Web site
. One Salvation Army board member has already raised nearly $8,000 from his friends using the virtual red kettle online.