Spending growth by international visitors in Hawaii outpaced the nation as a whole during the first four months of the year.

International visitors who came to Hawaii through April spent $1.38 billion, a 7.3 percent increase from the same time period in 2009, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. International visitor spending in Hawaii, which rose 2.4 percent to more than $284 million in April, has increased every month this year over 2009 spending.

The spending increases were in keeping with arrivals growth. International arrivals to Hawaii increased 5 percent to 146,627 in April, according to the HTA. Year to date, Hawaii’s international visitor arrivals rose by 10.9 percent to 665,846, HTA reported.

In comparison, the U.S. Commerce Department reported yesterday that spending by international visitors to the U.S. rose in April for the fourth consecutive month and was up 5 percent through April. For the first four months, international visitors to the U.S. spent more than $42.8 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.

During April, international visitors to the U.S. spent an estimated $10.9 billion, about 7 percent more than was spent in April 2009. Monthly international visitor spending for the U.S. has increased, on average, $508 million a month in 2010.