Hawaii Jobless Rate down in April

Figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Hawai'i's unemployment rate fell to 6.7%, down from 6.9% in March.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate had been in the 6.8-7% range for the past year, with jobless figures reaching highs not seen in 32 years. The report released this week shows the labor market improved on a number of fronts as 1,600 jobs were added, helped by federal stimulus spending and a rebound in the visitor trade.

Here are highlights from the Honolulu Advertiser:

"*The number of people in non-farm jobs increased for a third consecutive month after job counts reached a 5 1/4-year low in January.

*The number of jobs in April totaled 590,300 - the highest since June 2009.

*The number of people without jobs - 42,569 - was the lowest in 13 months.

*The statewide unemployment rate was lower on a year-over-year basis, or less than the 6.8 percent in April 2009. It was first time in three years that the rate was lower than the prior year's level.

*Hawai'i's unemployment rate tied it with Louisiana and New Hampshire for seventh-lowest in the nation. The U.S. unemployment rate was 9.9 percent.

*Honolulu continues to have a jobless rate well below the statewide average. It had a 5.2 percent unemployment rate on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.

"Effect of stimulus

*The April numbers were buoyed by hiring in the tourism industry, which added jobs for a third consecutive month. During April, the leisure and hospitality component of the jobs survey showed an increase of 1,300 people compared with March.

*Lawrence Bill Boyd (labor economist at the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu) said Hawai'i's workers also have benefited from the federal stimulus programs. The most recent data for the federal stimulus program show the spending saved or created 2,652 jobs during the January-to-March quarter. 'On the whole, this is a very good jobs report, but I do expect the (unemployment) rate will rise as people come back into the labor force,' Boyd said.

*Gov. Linda Lingle's administration is using federal stimulus funds to expand a summer youth employment program and fund a program that helps employers offset health care insurance costs when hiring off unemployment rolls."

We like to think Hawaii Kai offers everything but, in realtiy, many residents commute around the island to jobs. So this job news is good news for Hawaii Kai and Hawaii. Call or email me for a free copy of my Relocation Package for Hawaii Kai, and let's visit about how you can become a homeowner in paradise.