Posted on: Monday, February 24, 2003

Honolulu staffing levels to remain stable

Advertiser Staff

Employment will remain stable at Honolulu companies in the second quarter of this year, according to a Manpower Inc. staffing survey.

About 13 percent of Honolulu employers polled by Manpower said they plan to add personnel this spring, while none planned cutbacks, according to the survey. About 84 percent said they would maintain current payroll levels; another 3 percent said they're undecided, Manpower found.

Demand for workers was mixed three months ago, when Manpower found that 17 percent projected staffing increases and 13 percent planned reductions.

Doris Hannaford, Manpower's area manager in Honolulu, said hiring this spring will likely be in transportation, public utilities, wholesale, retail, education and services.

Unemployment dropped last month in Hawai'i to 3.8 percent, the lowest level since December 2000.