Big Island ends 2022 with unemployment rate at 3.8%

The Big Island’s unemployment rate dropped during December, but remained above the statewide rate of 3.2% during the final month of 2022.

During December, the island had an estimated 3,550 people of the 94,440-person labor force without work equating to an unemployment rate of 3.8%, down from 4.1% in November but up from 3.6% in October, according to data released Department of Business and Economic Development. In December 2021, the unemployment rate was 4.2%.

Statewide, 3.2% of Hawaii’s 675,850-person labor force was without work in December, according to the state. That’s down from 3.3% in September. A year ago, 4.3% of Hawaii’s working residents were unemployed.

Around the state, Honolulu City and County saw its unemployment rate drop from 3.8% in November to 3.4% in December. Kauai’s unemployment rate was down to 4% from 4.3% while Maui’s rate also dropped slightly from 4.2% to 3.8%.

Nationally, unemployment decreased a tad to 3.5%. A year ago, 3.9% of the nation’s workforce was without work.

Job gains in Hawaii were reported in construction (600); professional and business services (600), information (200), other services (200) and financial activities (100). Job losses were reported in the leisure and hospitality sector (-4,800), education and health services (400) and trade, transportation and utilities (200).

“A large majority of the contraction in Leisure & Hospitality was in Food Services & Drinking Places, which had achieved strong expansion throughout most of the year,” the state said.

Government employment went up by 300 jobs.