State Pays Out $87,521,534 in Hawai‘i Unemployment Insurance Benefits Over Past Week

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced today that it distributed $87,521,534 in unemployment insurance benefits over the past week.  That’s up from the $68,097,470 paid out in the previous week.

$47,317,800 of that total represents the $600 plus up made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law on March 27, 2020.

“The department was again able to deliver a record level of benefits in a week and for that I am tremendously grateful for our workers,” said Scott T. Murakami, DLIR Director.

“We know that there are still many in our community who are suffering, and we are resolute in providing a greater level of relief as soon as possible,” said Murakami in a press release announcement.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino continued to offer encouragement to those who have been unable to get through to the state’s antiquated system for unemployment assistance.

“The American Job Center down at the Maui Mall stands ready to help people.  That’s our contribution.  That’s our means of helping, not only for unemployment, but also to look for new jobs where jobs are available,” said Mayor Victorino during an afternoon press conference on Thursday.

“As far as assisting the state, they’re not calling upon us at this time, but they seem to be trying to improve the system they have as well as putting more people in there. So I’m hoping that the unemployment situation is rectified in the next few weeks; but those who haven’t received their unemployment checks and stimulus check–keep trying, keep asking, keep doing what you’re doing because eventually, you will receive what you deserve,” said Mayor Victorino.

There are an estimated 37,000 individuals who have filed for Unemployment in Maui County, according to Mayor Victorino.

On the island of Lānaʻi, Mayor Victorino said Larry Ellison has decided to pay his employees through the end of May.  “I would say that’s between 1,000 and 1,200 people.  I don’t know the exact number–that would have been laid off, adding to the rolls of Unemployment… I am so grateful to this man and his company, Oracle for a least allowing one more month of benefits and their pay,” said Mayor Victorino in a morning radio interview on KPOA 93.5 FM.

The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations improved its payout ratio to 40% and estimates that there are 225,000 filings across the state.