Maui Initial Jobless Claims Decline 3.2%

Countesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

The number of initial unemployment claims filed from Maui last week declined 3.2%, compared to the same week last year, reported the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on Thursday.

The number of initial unemployment claims filed for the state rose 7% year over year last week. In total for the state, there were 1,987 jobless claims filed during the week ended March 2, compared to 1,853 claims filed last year during the same week.

By county, the report indicates that Maui County and Kauai both recorded declines, while both Oahu and the Big Island both saw increases in initial unemployment claim filings during the same period.

Maui County had a 214 unemployment claims filed during the week of March 2, which is 3% fewer than the 221 claims filed for the same week one year ago. On Kauai, 127 jobless claims were filed, or an 8.6% fewer than the 139 claims filed one year ago.

There were 1,245 jobless claims filed on Oahu, 12% more than the 1,112 claims filed during the same week last year. On the Big Island, the 337 claims filed in Hawaii County were 11.6% more than the 302 claims filed there last year.