KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly during August, according to data released by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly during August, according to data released by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
The department says 2.7 percent of the Big Island’s workforce was without work in August, down from 3 percent in July. The only other county in the state to record a decrease in unemployment was Maui County, which saw its jobless rate drop slightly, from 2.2 percent in July to 2.1 percent in August.
The City and County of Honolulu recorded an increase, with unemployment rising from 2 percent to 2.1 percent. Kauai County’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.3 percent.
Statewide, 2.1 percent of the 689,950-person labor force was without work, according to the department. That rate has remained steady since June. During August 2017, the unemployment rate was 2.2 percent.
Nationwide, unemployment did not change from July to August, with 3.9 percent of workers unemployed.
Throughout the state, job growth was reported in the following sectors: Leisure and hospitality (700); trade, transportation and utilities (100); and financial activities (100). State officials attributed the bulk of the increase to job expansion in food services and drinking places.
During August, the following sectors saw positions cut: Education and health services (300); professional and business services (300); and construction (100).
