Isle jobs more scarce
in May

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Despite an improvement from a year earlier, Hawaii's unemployment rate last month remained well above the national average.

Hawaii unemployment improved to 5.8 percent last month down from 6.6 percent in May 1997 but higher than 5.3 percent recorded this past April, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

There were 34,450 people out of work last month, but that was 8,400 fewer than the 42,850 listed as jobless in May 1997.

Hawaii's May rate compared with a 4.2 percent national level.

The total number of nonagricultural wage and salary jobs in Hawaii declined by 2,500 to 529,900, from 532,400 in May 1997, but was unchanged from April, the state said yesterday.

Compared with April, jobs in the hotel industry were down by 400, the department said. The Keauhou Beach Hotel closed last month for major repairs, letting go all its staff. The number of jobs in hospitals was down by 200 last month due to ongoing reorganization plans at Queen's Medical Center, the state said.

Construction, manufacturing and transportation each reported 100 fewer jobs than April. However, summer hiring increased public education jobs 900.

Unemployment on Oahu was 4.9 percent last month, down from 5.3 percent in May 1997.

The Big Island was at 9.4 percent, down from 11.3 percent a year earlier. Kauai was at 9.3 percent, also down from 11.3 percent. Maui had 6.1 percent unemployment last month, down from 7.7 percent; Molokai was at 15 percent, up from 14.3 percent; and Lanai was at 1.9 percent, compared with 7.7 percent.