KAILUA-KONA —Hawaii Island’s unemployment rate held steady during February, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA —Hawaii Island’s unemployment rate held steady during February, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday. Some
KAILUA-KONA —Hawaii Island’s unemployment rate held steady during February, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday.
Some 3.8 percent of the island’s 91,350 person labor force remained without work during February, the same as the month prior, according to state data. That’s down from 4.9 percent in February 2015.
Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, down from 3.2 percent in January, according to the department, which also noted that the last time the state unemployment rate was at 3.1 percent was November 2007. A year ago, 3.9 percent of the state’s labor force was unemployed.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9 percent. Some 7.8 million people were unemployed during February, also unchanged February.
Across the state of Hawaii, 21,150 people were unemployed in February, down from 21,600 in January and 22,350 in December 2015. A year ago, 26,700 people were without employment statewide, according to the state.
Hawaii Island’s labor force in February comprised 91,350 people, of whom 87,900 held jobs, according to preliminary statistics kept by the state.
The greatest job gains were reported in trade, transportation and utilities, and construction sectors, which each saw 800 positions added. Jobs were also added in leisure and hospitality (300), education and health services (200), manufacturing (200), other services (200), and financial activities (100).
About 100 positions were cut in the professional and business services sector.
