The Big Island’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly in May to 3.6%, according to data released this month by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
The Big Island’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly in May to 3.6%, according to data released this month by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
During the fifth month of 2022, the island had an estimated 3,350 people without work equating to an unemployment rate of 3.6%, up from 3.5% in April, but down from May 2021 when 5.4% of the island’s workforce — or about 5,000 people — were unemployed.
Statewide, 4.2% of Hawaii’s 675,850-person labor force was without work in May, according to the state. That’s down from 4.1% the month before. Last May, the state reported 5.9% of the labor force as unemployed.
Around the state, Honolulu City and County saw its unemployment rate increase from 3.3% in April to 3.4% in May. Kauai’s unemployment rate was also up slight from 4.4% to 4.5%. Maui’s rate was unchanged at 4.2%.
Nationally, unemployment held at 3.6% in May. A year ago, 5.8% of the nation’s workforce was without work.
