Hawaii County’s unemployment rate continued a downward trend during the month of August, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reports.
Some 4.2 percent of the island’s 88,250 person labor force reported being without work during August, according to state data. That’s down slightly from 4.3 percent in July. In August 2014, 5.2 percent of the labor force was unemployed.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in August, down from 3.7 percent in July, according to the department. A year ago, 4.3 percent of the statewide labor force was unemployed.
Honolulu City and County’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in August, unchanged from the month before; Maui County’s rate increased to 3.4 percent from 3.3 percent in July; and Kauai County’s rate was 3.8 percent, up from 3.7 percent, according to the department.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, down from 5.3 percent in July. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the job gains occurred in health care and social assistance and in financial activities. The rate is also down from last August, when 6.1 percent of the nation was unemployed.
Nationwide, 8 million people remained unemployed during August. That is down compared with this time in 2014 when 9.5 million were out of work.
Across the state of Hawaii, 23,700 people were unemployed in August, down from 24,800 the month before. A year ago, 28,500 people were without employment statewide, according to the department.
Hawaii Island’s labor force in August comprised 88,250 of whom 84,550 held jobs, according to preliminary statistics kept by the state. In July, 85,050 of the 88,850 people in the civilian labor force held jobs.
The greatest increase in jobs statewide was recorded in the leisure and hospital and construction sectors, which saw pay rolls increase by 700 and 500, respectively, according to the department. Job gains were also reported in the transportation and utilities and educations and health services sectors, both of which added 400 positions during August. Financial activities added 200 jobs.
Job losses were recorded in the professional and business services sector, which saw 100 positions cut. Employment in manufacturing and other services was unchanged.