The Big Island’s unemployment rate during dropped to 5.7% during October, the lowest reported by the state since April 2020 as the novel coronavirus pandemic took hold.
During the 10th month of 2021, the island had an estimated 5,050 people without work equating to an unemployment rate of 5.7%, down from 6.3% in September and 9.6% in January, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business and Economic Development.
The coronavirus slammed the U.S. economy early last year, forcing many businesses to close or reduce hours of operation and keeping many Americans shut in at home as a health precaution. In March and April 2020, employers slashed more than 22 million jobs.
The Big Island hit a record-high 22% in April 2020 after Gov. David Ige announced statewide travel restrictions that have since been relaxed.
Statewide, 6.3% of Hawaii’s 644,850-person labor force was without work in October, according to the state. That’s down from 6.6% in September.
Around the state, Honolulu City and County saw its unemployment rate drop from 5.9% in September to 5.4% in October. Kauai’s unemployment rate was down to 7.8% from 8.4% while Maui’s rate dropped slightly from 8.1% to 7.6%.
Nationally, unemployment decreased to 4.6%. A year ago, 6.9% of the nation’s workforce was without work. Since April 2020, employers have hired more than 18 million people, including 531,000 in October. But the U.S. economy is still more than four million jobs short of where it was in February last year.
Job gains in Hawaii were reported in trade, transportation and utilities (1,300), professional and business services (1,100), manufacturing (200), other services (200) and construction (100).
Job losses were reported in the leisure and hospitality sector (900), financial activities (100) and information (100).
Government employment went up by 100 jobs.