Hawai'i's jobless rate falls slightly

By John Duchemin
Advertiser Staff Writer

The state jobless rate dropped slightly in March compared to the same month a year ago, according to new job data released yesterday.

When adjusted for seasonal variations, Hawai'i's unemployment rate this March was 4.3 percent, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. That means 4.3 percent of the state's workers were out of work and seeking new jobs.

The March rate was down from a seasonally adjusted 4.4 percent in February 2001, and lower than the 4.5 percent in March 2000. Seasonal adjustment accounts for predictable shifts in employment, including the start and end of the school year and retail job increases during the holidays, and allows for month-to-month comparison.

The national seasonally adjusted rate was 4.3 percent in March.

Honolulu saw a drop to 3.5 percent in March 2001, down from 3.7 percent in March 2000. Maui County's rate fell to 4.1 percent, down from 4.3 percent. The Big Island's rate dropped to 5.9 percent, down from 6.4 percent.

Kaua'i saw its rate rise to 6.8 percent in March 2001 from 5.8 percent in March 2000.

The county figures are not seasonally adjusted.

The March 2001 data shows a recent trend of low unemployment has continued into 2001. The state adjusted jobless rate has been below 5 percent for 15 straight months. The Hawai'i unadjusted jobless rate has been below the national unadjusted rate since late last year.

The March figures don't account for striking University of Hawai'i professors and public school teachers, who walked off the job in April.