A study was conducted in Hawaii to determine the status of elderly persons in regard to employment, as well as attitudes toward employment of the elderly, defined in this study as aged 55 and over. Elderly persons aged 65 and over are the fastest growing segment of Hawaii's population, projected to increase from 73,700 in 1980 to 141,000 in 2000. Attitude surveys showed that older and younger groups of workers differ more within each group than they do between age groups. The survey also showed that older workers have better attendance records than the general work force; that the difference in productivity between older and younger workers is less then the difference within the ranks of any age group; that, although older managers take longer to make decisions and are more hesitant to take risks, they are more capable of evaluating information and making decisions than younger managers; and that mind set, attention, motivation, and physical state affect intellectual performance more than age does. (In addition to the information on attitudes, the report contains a profile of the elderly, information on unemployment, retirement, and employment policies and practices of and toward the elderly, a review of existing employment programs for the elderly, and a list of resource persons. Appendixes contain numerous tables of data about age as related to employment.) (KC)