Maui Unemployment Rate 2.5% in May

Unemployment, May 2019.

The unemployment rate for the island of Maui was 2.5% in May, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. While the islandʻs unemployment rate for May decreased slightly from 2.8% the month before, the rate increased from 2.1% a year ago.

The unemployment rate for Maui County in May was 2.5%, compared to 2.8% the month before, and 2.2% from May of last year. According to the department, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the entire state in May was also 2.8%, which was unchanged from the month before, and higher than the 2.3% reported in May of last year.

Statewide, 18,900 residents were unemployed in May. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.86% in May, the same as in April of 2019.

Initial claims increased by about 1.1%, while weeks claims decreased by -1.6% percent for unemployment benefits compared to one year ago. Over the month, initial claims grew by 2.8%, while weeks claims grew by about 1.9% in May 2019.

These unemployment rate figures are seasonally adjusted in accordance with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics methodology. The not seasonally adjusted rate for the state was 2.6% in May, compared to 2.8% in April.

In another measure of employment, the DLIR reports that total nonagricultural jobs declined by 1,200 over-the-month.

Within the major industries, job gains occurred in:

• • Education & Health Services (+400),
  • Professional & Business Services (+200), and
  • Other Services (+200).

Job losses were experienced in:

• Information (-100),
• Manufacturing (-200),
• Construction (-400),
• Leisure & Hospitality (-500), and
• Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-600).

Meantime, Employment in Financial Activities remained stable.  Government decreased by 200 jobs. And, in comparison with May 2018, total non-farm jobs have expanded by 2,200, or 0.3%.