KAILUA-KONA — Unemployment statewide reached its lowest rate in nearly 10 years during March.
KAILUA-KONA — Unemployment statewide reached its lowest rate in nearly 10 years during March.
During March, 2.7 percent of the state’s labor force was without work, down slightly from February when the unemployment rate was 2.8 percent, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
The last time the statewide rate was 2.7 percent was in June 2007. Unemployment hit a high of 7.3 percent for six months in 2010.
“Hawaii’s economy continues to perform well with employment at historical highs and unemployment rates at near-record lows,” said DLIR Director Linda Chu Takayama.
Hawaii County’s rate of unemployment also dropped during March to 3.1 percent from 3.3 percent in February. Last March, 3.8 percent of the island’s labor force was without work.
Around the rest of the state, Honolulu City and County saw its unemployment rate decrease from 2.6 percent in February to 2.4 percent in March; Kauai saw its rate decrease from 3 percent to 2.8 percent; and Maui’s rate dropped from 3.1 percent to 2.9 percent.
Nationwide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in March, down from 4.7 in February.
Job losses were reported in trade, transportation and utilities (400); educational and business services (300); professional and business services (200), construction (200); financial activities (100); and information (100). Government jobs decreased by 300.
Job gains were recorded in leisure and hospitality (1,100) and other services (300). The state said the gains in leisure and hospitality were split evenly between accommodation and food services and drinking places.