Hawai‘i Employment Projected to Expand by 2.9%

Fastest growing occupations in Hawai‘i. DLIR graphic.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations’ “Employment Forecasts for the Short-Term Future – 2017” publication projects that statewide employment will expand by 2.9%, or 20,020 jobs, from the first quarter of 2015 to the first quarter of 2017.

The DLIR estimates that statewide employment will grow from 700,940 in the first quarter of 2015 to 720,960 in the first quarter of 2017.

All major industries, except for natural resources and mining, will experience positive movement, with the construction industry again leading the economic expansion with the fastest growth rate (12.1%), creating 3,880 new jobs.

Occupations with the most job openings. DLIR graphic.

On an annual basis, this 1.4% increase equals 10,180 new jobs resulting from growth. About 17,040 job openings are expected to arise due to replacement needs, bringing the total annual projected job openings to 27,220.

“This is certainly good news and confirms that our economy remains strong,” said Gov. David Ige. “We remain focused on diversifying our economy beyond tourism and the military, which is why I am taking a comprehensive, long-term approach to develop an innovation economy that offers the best promise of high-quality, living wage jobs in Hawai‘i.”

Industry sub-sectors with the most job growth. DLIR graphic.

“DLIR is enhancing job skills in the workforce as part of the effort to support diversifying the economy by bringing community stakeholders together in advisory boards in select sectors,” said DLIR Director Linda Chu Takayama. “To remain competitive and productive in the global marketplace, it is crucial to employ a highly skilled workforce and why we have convened workforce advisory boards in agriculture, healthcare and robotics as a start.”

The full report, including a description of the methodology, is available at the Hawai‘i Workforce Infonet website.