KAILUA-KONA — Unemployment continues to rise on the Big Island, however, fewer people are without work when compared to a year ago.
During April, 3,650 of the island’s 91,250-person labor force was without work increasing the island’s unemployment rate to 4 percent up from 3.9 percent in March, and 3.8 percent in January and February. Despite several months of increases, the Big Island’s unemployment rate remains down from 4.5 percent in April 2015 and 9.9 percent in April 2011.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also increased to 3.2 percent, up from 3.1 percent in March, according to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. A year ago, 3.8 percent of the state’s labor force was unemployed.
Around the state, two counties Honolulu City and County and Maui County saw unemployment rates decrease. Honolulu’s rate dropped from 3 percent in March to 2.9 percent in April while Maui County’s rate dropped from 3.4 percent to 3.2 percent. Kauai’s rate increased from 3.5 percent in March to 3.6 percent in April.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5 percent, unchanged from March. Some 7.9 million people were unemployed during the month. Those numbers have seen little change since August, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Across the state of Hawaii, 21,350 people were unemployed in April, down from 21,900 the month prior. A year ago, 24,600 people were without employment statewide, according to the state. Five years ago, the 42,800 people were unemployed — nearly twice the number in April.
Job gains were reported in leisure and hospitality (800), and education and health services (200). Job contraction occurred in other services (100), manufacturing (200), financial activities (200), construction (300), trade, transportation and utilities (600), and professional and business services (2,o00).
State officials said bulk of the job losses in professional and business services occurred in administrative, support, waste management, and remediation services.