The number of Hawaii residents and businesses filing for bankruptcy fell in August for the 18th consecutive month, according to data released today by U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The 208 cases filed in August represented a 22 percent decrease from the 268 cases filed the same month a year earlier, the court reported. Bankruptcy filings have been trending lower since averaging 330 a month during the recent peak in 2010.

Bankruptcies fell in all counties except Maui. In Honolulu County the number of cases fell to 113 in August, a 32 percent drop from 167 the same month last year.

In Hawaii County filings fell 13 percent to 26 cases and in Kauai County they fell 55 percent to 10 cases. Filings rose to 59 in Maui County, an 11 percent increase from 53 filings in August 2011.