State unemployment Hawaii's 4.3 percent unemployment rate for September remains better than a year ago, when unemployment stood at 4.6 percent in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
remains stable at 4.3%
Star-Bulletin staff
The September 2002 figure reflected a slight increase over August's rate of 4.2 percent, but was still well below the national unemployment rate for the period of 5.4 percent
According to figures released yesterday by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, September's statewide figures represent a labor force of 565,200 and 25,400 unemployed.
Seasonal hiring was responsible for increases in both public and private education, which increased by 2,600 and 700 jobs respectively, but the end of county youth summer programs meant local government employment decreased by 800 jobs.
Other sectors which saw declines include retail, which lost 500 jobs, and professional, miscellaneous and recreational services which saw a decline of 200 jobs. Transportation lost 300 jobs while the combined sectors of finance, insurance and real estate shed 200 jobs. Employment in other sectors remained fairly stable.
