Hawaii's unemployment rate up slightly

by Merrilee Gasser, The Center Square, Jul 21, 2022

(The Center Square) - Hawaii’s unemployment rate rose slightly in June, according to data from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in June, up from May’s revised 4.1% unemployment rate, DBEDT said. The seasonally adjusted rate reflects fluctuations in hiring and layoff patterns usually observed in certain seasons, including summer vacation. There were 28,900 unemployed Hawaiians in June and a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 677,250.

The numbers reflect a higher unemployment rate than the national average which remained steady at 3.6% from May to June, according to DBEDT.

Though the unemployment rate rose, total non-agricultural jobs increased by 1,900 in June, DBEDT reported. Over 300 jobs were added in the Information sector and more than 300 were added in Financial Activities jobs. Leisure and Hospitality also increased by over 300 jobs. Trade, Transportation and Utilities saw over 200 jobs added from May to June, as did Professional and Business Services, according to DBEDT. Government employment in the state also rose by 300 jobs.

Job sectors that remained unchanged over the month were Construction and Manufacturing, DBEDT reported.

The data shows an improvement over the last year, but employment still lags 7.6% behind pre-pandemic levels.

Since last June, nonfarm jobs increased by 2.8% for a total of 16,700 jobs. But compared to March 2020, which DBEDT said is the last month prior to pandemic effects, nonfarm jobs are down by 50,000. 

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HAWAII’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 4.3 PERCENT IN JUNE

News Release from DBEDT, July 21, 2022

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 4.3 percent, compared to the revised rate of 4.1 percent in May. Statewide, 648,350 were employed and 28,900 unemployed in June for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 677,250. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in June for the fourth consecutive month.

The unemployment rate figures for the State of Hawai‘i and the U.S. in this release are seasonally adjusted, in accordance with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) methodology. The not seasonally adjusted rate for the State was 4.2 percent in June, compared 3.6 percent in May.

INDUSTRY PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT (ESTABLISHMENT SURVEY)

In a separate measure of employment, total nonagricultural jobs increased by 1,900 in June over May. Job gains were experienced in Information (+300); Financial Activities (+300); Education & Health Services (+300); Leisure & Hospitality (+300); Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (+200); and Professional & Business Services (+200). Employment in Construction;  Manufacturing; and Other Services remained unchanged. Government employment rose by 300 jobs. Over- the-year (June 2021 was the 15th month of pandemic effects), nonfarm jobs have gone up by 16,700, or 2.8 percent. However, in comparison with March 2020 (last month prior to pandemic effects), nonfarm jobs were down by 50,000, or -7.6 percent….

read …. HAWAII’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT 4.3 PERCENT IN JUNE  

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