Unemployment remains at 2.9% in September for the fourth month in a row: Big Island Now

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9% in September in Hawaii for the fourth month in a row.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reports 651,100 people were employed last month, with 19,300 unemployed, for a seasonally adjusted total statewide workforce of 670,400.

The national unemployment rate was 4.1% in September, down from 4.2% in August.

Nonfarm payrolls have increased by 9,000, or 1.4%, since September 2023; however, compared to March 2020, the last month before the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonfarm payrolls fell by 16,600, or 2.5%.

Total nonfarm payrolls increased by 800 from August to September.

The increase in the number of jobs occurred in:

• Leisure and hospitality: +500.
• Trade, transport and utilities: +300.

Employment in manufacturing, information and professional and business services remained unchanged from August to September.

Job losses were observed in:

• Construction: -100.
• Private education and healthcare: -200.
• Other services: -200.
• Financial activity: -300.

Public sector employment increased by 800 jobs from August to September, largely due to above-average seasonal recalls of Hawaii Department of Education workers.

State and national data are seasonally adjusted according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and reflect the hiring and layoff patterns that accompany regular events such as the winter and summer holiday seasons.

The state’s non-seasonally adjusted rate in September was 3.2%, the same as in August.