Posted on: Thursday, January 1, 2004
Fewer in Hawai'i seeking unemployment benefits
| • | Jobless claims hit 3-year low |
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
Initial claims for unemployment benefits in Hawai'i fell to a three-week low of 1,404 in the week ended Dec. 20.
The numbers are also down from 2,045 new claims for unemployment benefits during the prior year's period.
At the same time the number of people receiving jobless benefits fell to 9,917, which also was the lowest in three weeks. During the same period in 2002, 10,560 people claimed unemployment insurance.
Overall, unemployment claims have trended downward since spiking after Sept. 11, 2001 with help from a robust construction sector and stablizing tourism market.
During November, private-sector job growth resulted in 10,300 more jobs statewide than November 2002 as gains in the construction, retail, and leisure and hospitality sectors offset lost government and information-related jobs, according to figures released by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.
