Maui Job Growth Projected to Increase 15% in 10 Years

Wailuku road work. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The neighbor islands are forecast to lead job growth in the state through 2020, according to new data released by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Maui County is forecast to have the second fastest growth in the state, with a projected 15.1% increase in industry growth over the 10 year period from 2010-2020.

That’s just behind Kauaʻi’s 15.4% increase, and ahead of Hawaiʻi’s 14.8%, and Honolulu County’s 10.5% increases.

Although Honolulu County trails the rest of the state in the growth forecast, DLIR officials said that with an  “expected gain of 49,970 jobs from 2010 to 2020, Honolulu will account for nearly two-thirds of the total statewide increase in jobs.”

In Maui County, the greatest growth is projected in the construction sector, which is forecast to rise 30.2% over 10 years, with an estimated 3% growth each year.

Other areas with strong growth in Maui County over the same period include increases of: 22.8% in professional and business services; 19.4% in trade, transportation and utilities; 16.4% in leisure and hospitality; 14.9% in education and health services; 12.8% in financial services; 9.4% in manufacturing; 7.3% in self-employed and unpaid family workers; 5.2% in government; and 15.1% in other services.

Areas projected for job decreases in Maui County included drops of 5.1% in natural resources and mining; and a 4.1% decrease in information.

Individuals searching for a job now, have the opportunity to find new employment at the upcoming Pacific Media Group Holiday Job Fair, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului.

The information contained in the DLIR report is intended for use by students and jobseekers who are making career decisions; education and training program planners who develop specific occupational training programs; job placement specialists who help people find employment; and  policy makers, and employers who need information to help them plan the expansion or relocation of their businesses.