LIHU‘E — A dip in overall employment and the number of folks looking for work had little effect on the jobless rate, which dropped nearly 1 percentage point last month when compared with the same period a year earlier on Kaua‘i.
The unemployment rate decreased to 3.2 percent in June from 4.0 percent in June 2022, according to monthly data released by the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
The most recent reading was the lowest for the month of June since 2019, when the rate weighed in at 2.8 percent.
The accommodation sector was the biggest contributor to the local economy last month, as it tacked on 400 jobs to bring its total to 4,200 in June. That marked a gain of 10.5 percent.
Retail trade posted solid gains, as the sector added 300 jobs in the period to bring its total to 4,000. That was up 8.1 percent.
Five other sectors — transportation, warehousing and utilities, professional and business services, other service, manufacturing and health care and social assistance — each added 100 jobs in June.
The manufacturing sector recorded the highest percentage gain last month at 20.0 percent.
Four sectors — food service and drinking places, financial activities, federal government and arts, entertainment and recreation — each shed 100 jobs in June.
All told, civilian employment eased to 35,600 in June from 35,650 in June 2022, the monthly data showed. And, the total labor force slipped to 36,800 from 36,900 in the same period.
The jobless rate on Kaua‘i stacked up favorably with other islands last month. The rate on O‘ahu retreated to 3.3 percent in June from 4.0 percent in June 2022, while the Hawai‘i Island figure dropped to 3.8 percent from 4.4 percent in the same period. Maui posted the lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in June, down from 3.9 percent in June 2022. Statewide, the jobless rate fell to 3.3 percent from 4.0 percent. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
