LIHU‘E — Finding a job is not an easy feat these days on Kaua‘i, where the unemployment rate has been reaching epic proportions of nearly double digits. At 9.1 percent, the present spike is about three times what it was
LIHU‘E — Finding a job is not an easy feat these days on Kaua‘i, where the unemployment rate has been reaching epic proportions of nearly double digits.
At 9.1 percent, the present spike is about three times what it was 13 or 14 months ago, said Bill Grier of WorkWise Kaua‘i, and according to a recent press release from the Kaua‘i Job Service Employer Committee Board, as many as 3,050 residents are currently seeking employment.
“The problem with the unemployment rate is it’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg,” Grier said Thursday. “A lot of people have been moved from full to part-time and are making too much to qualify and aren’t getting measured.”
He calls these individuals “underemployed.”
“I couldn’t even guess how many there are.”
When asked what job sectors are most affected by the recession, he said where he used to see mainly construction and visitor industry lay-offs, these days, those losing their jobs ply all trades.
“Now that the ripple effect has become a tidal wave, it’s everybody,” Grier said.
While the number of new applicants has reportedly been slowing down, the pool of individuals out of work is getting larger as people are having an increasingly difficult time finding employment.
“For all practical purposes, there are no jobs available,” Grier said, after recently contacting many hotels on the island and checking the WorkWise database for job availability.
On average, he said the database used to contain listings for 160 to 180 jobs, though as of Thursday, there were only 29.
“In an effort to deal with declining revenues and reduce the county’s budget next fiscal year, most of the currently vacant positions are expected to remain vacant through fiscal year 2010,” said Beth Tokioka, executive assistant to Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., in a written statement when asked about potential job openings in county government. “The exception would be in cases of critical operational need and/or positions vital to health and safety (such as police officers).”
Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Economic Development, believes people who are lucky enough to have a steady job are staying with them as long as possible.
“Most of those that have a job, have not experienced any salary cuts and have had no cuts to their benefits are very appreciative of their job right now,” Kanoho said in an e-mail Thursday.
The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau is currently working on a Visitor Stimulus Plan with the Office of Economic Development that will promote “affordable Kaua‘i vacations” by utilizing tour wholesalers and online travel agents such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz, said George Costa, director of the OED.
“The focus will be on key market cities that have a proven track record of providing visitors to our island,” he said. “Other segments of the plan include Kama‘aina visitors from O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island, as well as our Military ‘ohana.”
Kanoho believes the plan will be beneficial and says the tourism industry is closely connected to supporting local businesses and helps provide many residents with employment opportunities.
There are also other efforts being developed by the county in order to help correct the current economic turbulence.
“Much is being said about the economic stimulus or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” Costa said. “The county has submitted a request for over $200 million in infrastructure and ‘shovel-ready’ projects.”
While most of the $787 billion in stimulus funds are intended to be used for federal and state projects, he said the County is “diligently pursuing opportunities for it’s share to provide jobs and jump start our economy.”
“The agriculture industry is also crucial to our island’s economy,” Costa adds. “The county works with various agencies in supporting various initiatives that provide jobs.”
WorkWise will be co-hosting Kaua‘i’s 9th annual job fair on April 29 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This year’s job fair will be held at the Kaua‘i Community College One Stop Center and will allow seekers one-on-one contact with up to 30 potential employers.
Businesses wanting to participate in this year’s Kaua‘i Job Fair should contact Grier at 274-3056 by April 24 to reserve a table.
Current job seekers can visit www.workwise.com for additional resources.
