Maui County Unemployment Dips to 2.9% in March

The Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 2.7 percent, compared to 2.8 percent in February. The last time Hawaii’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percent was in June 2007.

Maui County’s 3.3% unemployment rate for March dropped to 2.9%, down slightly from the 3.1% reported in February, and the 3.2% reported at the same time last year.

The new data was released on Thursday by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Unemployment rates on the island of Maui also dropped to 2.8%, down from month and year before levels. Meantime, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate on Molokaʻi increased to 5.6%, up from 5.1% in February, and 4.8% last year. On Lānaʻi unemployment rates were down from month and year before levels to 3.6%.

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations noted that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the state was 2.7%, compared to 2.8% in February. The last time Hawaii’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percent was in June 2007.

Statewide, 677,700 were employed and 19,100 unemployed in March for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 696,800.

“Hawaii’s economy continues to perform well with employment at historical highs and unemployment rates at near-record lows,” said Linda Chu Takayama, Director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in March, compared to 4.7% in February.

In another measure of employment, total nonagricultural jobs dipped in March over February by 200 jobs.

Among the major industries, job gains were experienced in Leisure & Hospitality (+1,100) and Other Services (+300). Within the Leisure & Hospitality grouping, the job increases were evenly split between Accommodation and Food Services & Drinking Places. Employment in Manufacturing remained unchanged.

There were job losses in Information (-100), Financial Activities (-100), Construction (-200), Professional & Business Services (-200), Educational & Business Services (-300), and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-400). Government decreased by 300 jobs. Compared with March 2016, total nonfarm employment has risen by 4,500 jobs.