LIHUE — The unemployment rate in May remained flat from the previous month for the island, according to the Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Statewide, 678,300 were employed, while 19,150 were unemployed in May for a total
LIHUE — The unemployment rate in May remained flat from the previous month for the island, according to the Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Statewide, 678,300 were employed, while 19,150 were unemployed in May for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 697,450.
“Hawaii’s economy is holding firm at a low 2.7 percent unemployment rate for a third-consecutive month,” said Linda Chu Takayama, director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
On Kauai, May’s unemployment rate was at 3 percent or 1,050 of the 36,000 labor force. In the previous month, 1,100 out of 35,900 were unemployed.
Statewide, leisure and hospitality led the job market, adding 1,000 jobs; followed by transportation and utilities with 700; and education and health services with 500.
Professional and business services experienced the biggest losses at 800, followed by information field with 500 in the red.
Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in May, compared to 4.4 percent in April.