Hawai'i's jobless, job rates both increased in May

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

Last month's rate, up from the 3.7 percent posted in April, remained below the year-ago rate of 4.2 percent, according to figures released yesterday by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

While the state's unemployment rate edged upward, the number of jobs in the state continued to grow, reaching 569,300. The growth in jobs represented a 2.2 percent increase over the 557,200 jobs statewide in May 2002.

Much of the gain resulted from teachers and support staff returning to work summer sessions for the state Department of Education.

On the other hand, hospitals lost 100 jobs as a result of a nurse's strike at Wahiawa General Hospital, and full-service restaurants declined by 200 jobs.

But the private sector also added jobs, including 600 retail trade positions and 500 movie and TV-show production jobs. Among the movies filmed locally in May was Adam Sandler's "Fifty First Kisses."

"We are heartened to see a positive trend in the private sector as employment has continued to increase each month since January 2003," said Colleen LaClair, deputy director for the labor department.

"This seems to be having a stabilizing effect upon our unemployment numbers."

Among the islands, Lana'i posted the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5 percent, down from 4.5 percent in May 2002. Honolulu's jobless rate stood at 3.4 percent compared with 3.8 percent in the year-ago period.

On the Big Island, May's jobless rate was 6.1 percent versus 6.2 percent the year before. Maui County, which includes Lana'i, recorded a joblesst rate of 3.9 percent compared with 4.1 percent in May 2002. Kaua'i's rate dropped to 4.4 percent from 5.8 percent.

Moloka'i suffered the biggest increase in unemployment — 12.2 percent in May 2003 versus 7.7 in May 2002 — following seasonal farm layoffs, according to the labor department.

Overall, the state's jobless rate continued to trail the national unemployment rate, which stood at 5.8 percent in May.

During the month, 23,000 workers were unemployed and 577,300 had jobs, compared to the 22,400 workers who were unemployed and 576,300 who were employed in April.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.