The Big Island’s unemployment rate decreased for a third straight month in November, the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday.
Hawaii County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 5.1 percent in November compared to 5.2 percent in October and 5.4 percent in September. The unemployment rate had edged up in September from 5.2 percent in August, according to the department.
The rate remains more than a percentage point lower than the 6.3 percent of the island’s labor force who were unemployed in November 2013, according to the department. The Big Island, however, continues to hold the highest unemployment rate among Hawaii’s four counties.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4 percent in November from 4.1 percent in October, according to the department. Unemployment statewide in November 2013 was 4.7 percent.
Around the state, unemployment rates decreased by one-tenth of a percent when comparing November to October. Honolulu City and County’s unemployment rate in November was 3.8 percent; Maui County’s rate was 4.2 percent; and Kauai County’s rate was 4.6 percent, according to the department.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in November, unchanged from October, but down from 7 percent in November 2013, according to the department.
The number of unemployed people nationwide increased to 9.1 million in November from 9 million in October, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the increase last month, the number of unemployed nationwide has decreased by 1.7 million since January.
Across the state of Hawaii, some 27,000 people remained unemployed and 642,850 held jobs in November, according to the department. Compared to a year ago, 3,700 fewer people were unemployed.
Hawaii Island’s work force in November consisted of 83,400 people of whom 79,150 held jobs, according to preliminary statistics kept by the state.
The greatest increase in the number of jobs added statewide was seen in the professional and business services sector where 1,600 positions were added. Other sectors that saw growth were financial activities with 700 jobs added, education and health services with 400 jobs added and other services with 300 jobs added. The trade, transportation and utilities sector saw an additional 100 positions created.
The increase in the professional and business services sector was attributed to job additions in the administrative and waste services areas, the state said.
Job losses were recorded in a handful of sectors in November. The government sector saw the greatest number of jobs lost with 3,300 positions cut. The state credited the decrease in government positions to temporary positions hired for the General Election, which was held Nov. 4.
The construction sector was next with most jobs lost, 700, followed by leisure and hospitality, 400. Staffing in the manufacturing sector decreased by 100 positions.
