Posted at 2:37 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2006
Jobless rates climbs to 2.8 percent in April
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate climbed to 2.8 percent in April from 2.6 percent in March, providing another indication the economic expansion is beginning to slow.Nonetheless, the rate was still the lowest in the nation, and economists say such an slowing is to be expected after several years of above-trend economic growth. The national unemployment rate for April was 4.7 percent.
On an unadjusted basis, Hawai'i County had the state's highest unemployment rate at 3.2 percent. The rate was 2.7 percent for Honolulu and Kauai County, and 2.5 percent for Maui County.
Statewide, the education and health services sector gained 300 jobs, while leisure and hospitality added 100 jobs. The construction sector lost 300 jobs, while transportation and utilities lost 200 jobs.
