Maui Unemployment Claims Jump 35%

File photo.

By Sonia Isotov

The number of initial unemployment claims filed in Maui rose 35%, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) said Thursday.

There were a total of 288 initial jobless claims filed during the week ending April 13, compared to 214 claims filed during the same week last year. Maui County had the greatest increase both in number and percentage of new claims filed last week.

DBEDT uses figures from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to make the calcluations they release regarding unemployment claims in Hawaii and for the counties.

“Initial claims” refer to the DLIR’s determination of eligibility for a claimant to begin benefit year
(new claims) or to add additional claims following a subsequent period of unemployment within the
benefit year.

Statewide initial unemployment claims increased by 3.4%, with this week’s total filings of 2,048 and filings during the same week in 2012 of 1,981.

Comparing 2013 to 2012 for the counties from the current week to the same week a year ago::

 ·        Oahu had 17 more claims filed, or a 1.4% increase;
·        Hawaii had 2 more claims filed, or a 0.5% increase;
·        Kauai had 36 fewer claims filed, or a 25.4% decrease