The Hawaii Health Connector said it enrolled an additional 3,500 residents in medical insurance in the first month of open enrollment as of Monday.

That compares to fewer than 300 sign ups in the first month a year ago.

The state’s health insurance exchange, created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, got off to a rough start in its second enrollment period that began on Nov. 15.

Customers reported technical problems on the website that left them unable to enroll and some are still having to sign up via phone or in person.

The nonprofit’s executive director Jeff Kissel said the Connector received a little over 16,000 applications over the past month and 87,000 inquiries.

Monday was the deadline to enroll in coverage that begins Jan. 1. To date, an estimated 13,500 residents have signed up for health insurance through the online marketplace.