HONOLULU -- The University of Hawaii at Manoa is seeing a five percent increase in student enrollment for the Fall 2009.

In a statement from the university, more than 12,000 new students have enrolled at UH Manoa for the upcoming semester. It is the second highest number of new and transfer student enrollments since 2004, officials said.

"Having more applications means that more students view UH Mānoa as their ‘destination of choice.’ We are excited to welcome these great students to UH Mānoa, and are also honored that they recognize UH Mānoa, along with our sister campuses, as a wise investment for their future careers and lives," Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said in a statement.

So far this month, more than 4,000 students have enrolled in the university. That's more than the 3,988 students who enrolled in all of June last year, officials said.

"Although the deadline for applications has passed, we continue to receive late applications, and will consider them given the current economic situation’s impact on access to higher education Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Alan Yang said.

Final figures for the Fall 2009 enrollment will not be available until September.