Job growth in Hawai'i's high-tech industry grew at a faster rate than in the overall economy, according to the preliminary report by a local trade group.

The Hawaii Science and Technology Council said that annual growth rate for the private high-tech industry was 3.3 percent between 2002 and 2007.

By contrast, job growth in the overall private sector was about 2.5 percent during the same period.

"Tech growth in Hawai'i is a story of hope for our future," said Lisa Gibson, president of HISciTech.

"Providing an environment that supports continued growth for the industry is critical if Hawai'i is to successfully compete in an increasingly global marketplace."

HIScitech yesterday released the preliminary data on the economic impact of the state's high-tech industry.

The study, which will be completed in October, was conducted by Arlington, Va.-based economic research consulting firm Council for Community & Economic Research.

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the University of Hawai'i, the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i and various local economic development boards also contributed to the report.

The study said that local high-tech industry accounted for about 3.6 percent of the jobs in the state's overall employment. But the growth rate for tech industry jobs is expected to grow 50 percent faster than the overall economy in the next 10 years, the report said.

Here are some of the other findings in the report: