A local bank and other businesses have joined with city government to host a job fair next week for Aloha Airlines employees who lost their jobs this week when the kama'aina company shut down.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the Neal Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and First Hawaiian Bank President and CEO Don Horner today announced that the city and local businesses will be working with Aloha Airlines; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Airline Division; Transport Workers Union; Association of Flight Attendants–CWA; Airline Pilots Association; and Society for Human Resource Management's Hawaii Chapter.

"Putting 1,900 people on the unemployment rolls, particularly as the U.S. economy is slowing, could have a ripple effect on our own economy," Hannemann said. "We hope to tap this talented, experienced workforce to meet some pressing needs."

"The business community is saddened by the loss of Aloha Airlines. The company was part of the fabric of our islands," Horner said. "I am confident that business leaders throughout the state look forward to assisting these dedicated employees in finding meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities."

The Society for Human Resource Management will organize the employers and volunteers, in cooperation with Aloha Airlines. The organization plans to contact its 1,000 members across the state to encourage them to participate.