The Big Island’s unemployment rate remained steady while the statewide unemployment rate dropped slightly in October, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday.
The Big Island’s unemployment rate remained steady while the statewide unemployment rate dropped slightly in October, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday.
Hawaii County’s unemployment rate remained at 5.3 percent last month, unchanged from September, but down more than a percentage point from 6.7 percent in October 2013. The island continues to have the highest unemployment rate among the state’s four counties.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent from 4.2 percent in September, according to the department. Unemployment statewide in October 2013 was 4.7 percent.
Across the state, Honolulu City and County’s unemployment rate in October was 3.9 percent, Maui County’s rate was 4.3 percent and Kauai County’s rate was 4.7 percent.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in October, down from 5.9 percent in September, according to the department. The rate is down from 7.2 percent in October 2013.
The number of unemployed people nationwide decreased to 9 million in October, down from 9.3 million in September, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since January, the number of unemployed nationwide has dropped by 1.2 million.
In Hawaii, some 27,800 people remained unemployed and 635,500 had jobs in October, according to the state labor department. In September, 28,150 people were unemployed.
Hawaii Island’s work force in October, the most recent data available, consisted of 82,850 people of whom 78,450 had jobs, according to preliminary statistics kept by the state. Since June, the number of Hawaii Island residents employed has remained steady at more than 80,000. Prior to June, the last time more than 80,000 people had jobs was August 2008 before the economic downturn.
The greatest increase in the number of jobs added statewide with 2,200 new positions was seen in leisure and hospitality, according to the state. The increase was attributed to added accommodations and food service jobs. In the professional and business services sector, 600 jobs were added.
Decreases in employment were recorded in a variety of sectors.
Government saw the greatest decrease with 1,700 positions lost, followed by other services, which saw 1,100 jobs cut, and construction, which saw job numbers decrease by 800 positions. In addition, 300 jobs were lost in the financial activities sector, 400 in the education and health services sector, and 500 in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.
The state said the loss of government jobs could be attributed to variability in the Department of Education and University of Hawaii system. Jobs in the manufacturing sector remained stable.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.