State’s jobless
rate down

Hawaii's 5.5 percent rate
for March matches that of
the rest of the nation

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii had an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent in March, half a percentage point below the 6 percent level in March 1996, the state labor department said.

The state's jobless rate, lower than the national average in January and February, matched the U.S. level for March, the department said.

Hawaii's March rate also was unchanged from February's 5.5 percent statewide jobless level.

Overall there were 32,700 people out of work last month, 100 more than in February, and the March work force was 591,600, down by 1,300 from February.

Hiring in higher education lifted the statewide education and social services sector by 800 from February. Private education services added 300 jobs.

Transportation also added 300 jobs, after a decline in February, and retailing increased by 100 jobs.

Construction, however, was down with a drop of 400 jobs since February. Bad weather affected some construction jobs and the nearly complete convention center needed fewer workers. The center is scheduled for completion in October.

Oahu's unemployment rate last month was 4.6 percent, down from 4.9 percent in March 1996. Big Island unemployment was 8.6 percent last month, down from 9.4 percent. Maui unemployment improved to 6.1 percent, from 7.1 percent. Kauai's March rate was 9.9 percent, down from 12.1 percent. Molokai was at 10.7 percent, up from 9.3 percent. Lanai's level was 5.6 percent, up from 3.4 percent in March 1996.