Hawaii County unemployment rate down slightly in February

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KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County’s unemployment rate declined slightly during February, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

The Big Island’s jobless rate dropped to 2.1 percent last month, down from 2.3 percent in January. In February 2017, the island’s rate of unemployment stood at 3.1 percent, according to the data.

Meanwhile, the statewide unemployment rate held steady at 2.1 percent during February, the department said.

Around the state, Maui County’s unemployment rate was 2 percent, down from 2.1 percent in January, while Kauai County’s rate dropped to 1.7 percent from 2 percent. Honolulu City and County saw its rate decrease from 2 percent in January to 1.8 percent last month.

Nationally, the unemployment rate held steady during February at 4.1 percent. Last January, 4.7 percent of Americans were without work.