The Big Island’s unemployment rate increased for a second straight month in October, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial relations.
Hawaii County’s unemployment rate increased to 6.4 percent in October, up from 6.1 percent in September and 5.8 percent in August, according to the department, which noted unemployment in October 2012 at 6.5 percent. The island continues, as it has historically done, to hold the highest unemployment rate among the Hawaii’s four counties.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up slightly to 4.4 percent in October from 4.3 percent in both September and August, according to the department. Unemployment statewide in October 2012 was 5.4 percent and in September 2012, 5.5 percent.
Around the state, Honolulu City and County’s unemployment rate increased to 4.7 percent in October, up from 4.5 percent the month before and 4.8 percent in October 2012; Maui County’s rate increased to 5 percent from 4.8 percent and Kauai County saw its rate increase from 5.3 percent in September to 5.6 percent in October, according to the state.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in October, up slightly from 7.2 percent in September, according to the department. The rate, however, is down from 7.9 percent when compared to a year ago.
The number of unemployed people nationwide was approximately 11.3 million in October, unchanged from September, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In Hawaii, some 28,700 people remained unemployed and 619,600 held jobs in October, according to the department. That’s down from October 2012, when 35,100 people across the state were listed as unemployed.
Hawaii Island’s work force in October, the most recent data available, consisted of 81,700 people of whom 76,500 held jobs, according to the preliminary statistics kept by the federal bureau.
Statewide, some 700 nonagricultural-related jobs were lost between September and October, according to the department. Despite the loss, the number of jobs available in October at 616,400 is up about a percentage point from 609,800 in October 2012.
The mining, logging and construction services sector saw the highest number of jobs lost at 800 positions followed by leisure and hospitality services and other services, both of which saw some 500 jobs lost in each sector, and manufacturing, which cut 100 positions.
An estimated 1,000 positions were added in the trade, transportation and utilities services sector, according to the department. The majority of the positions were retail jobs. Professional and business services added about 300 jobs. Positions in the financial and educational and health services sectors remained stable. Government saw just 100 jobs added.
