DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM A record 200 employers were on hand for more than 4,000 job seekers at yesterday's Job Quest event at Neal Blaisdell Center. Among the many people looking for a job was Junior Moananu, above, who stretched out after a long afternoon of filling out job applications.

Hawaii talent pool
evaporates to
barely a puddle

The May event, aimed at college and high-school students, is normally the company's largest job fair of the year and drew 176 employers, which was a record at the time.

Yesterday's attendance of 4,200 did not beat the 5,100 at the May job fair, but that event is two hours longer, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as opposed to yesterday's 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. running time.

Yesterday's attendance "was the most we've ever had for September," said Beth Busch, president of Success Advertising. She also writes columns on employment that appear in the Star-Bulletin and its sister paper, Midweek.

Two dozen retailers, restaurants and other employers were among the first-time exhibitors, while companies such as McDonald's returned to the event after an absence.

"What that tells me is that low unemployment is draining the pot," said Busch.

The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced last week that Hawaii's unemployment rate was down to 2.6 percent, the lowest level since May of 1981.

The Blaisdell Center complex parking lot filled up early after the event started. By 11:18 an attendant removed the "Lot Full" sign from along Ward Avenue near King Street, allowing cars to avoid the near-impossible search for outside parking nearby.

By 11:30 the line for the box office snaked halfway down the concourse, but not because tickets for the Eagles concert and other events were on sale. The line was solely for Job Quest tickets at $2 for general admission or $1 for students.

The job fair is popular with employers looking for entry-level employees but yesterday, not all employers were offering only minimum-wage positions.

Title Guaranty, for example, had a mix of positions to fill from data center administrator to data entry clerks, though a staffer who said she couldn't be quoted declined to discuss the range of possible salaries. The human resources manager was not available.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons is constantly recruiting for corrections officers, not just at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, but elsewhere. Based on educational qualifications a new hire at a GS-06 pay grade could start at $32,092 a year.

"We don't have high turnover. Most of them enjoy what they're doing and get promoted," said Public Information Officer Elizabeth Ammon.

Incoming officers are sent to Georgia for training, at government expense, at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy.

Job seekers can apply online for corrections officer, health-care related, or other positions at the bureau's Web site.

Blockbuster employees discussed available positions with attendees and encouraged them to apply online or, in a radical departure from technology, in person, at a store location.

Restaurant and entertainment venue Dave & Buster's was also recruiting for various positions, but directed applicants to the Ward Entertainment Complex between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday for forms and interviews.

New 182-seat dinner house and late-night spot Shokudo Japanese, with a staff of about 70, was recruiting for full-time employees for 7 host, hostessing and kitchen positions, said Chelsea Yagong.

Parent company Dream Dining Honolulu LLC is trying to build a stable employee base amid high turnover in the restaurant industry. The first Shokudo Japanese, at 1585 Kapiolani Blvd., is the first of 15 the company hopes to build in the next 10 years, said Human Resources Manager Hideyuki Sakurai. It is looking to build its next restaurant on the mainland.

Recruiters for the Hawaii Army National Guard say HIARNG hiring ensures financial security for Hawaii families.

Hawaii Guard members who are deployed "are actually making money and are taking care of their families," said Staff Sgt. Keenan Eckel, countering hardship stories that are told about highly paid doctors, lawyers and other professionals in the Guard who lose income when activated.

Basic pay is $170 a month "and that's just for two days," in addition to outside employment, said Sgt. 1st Class Keoki Ka'apana III.

When a Guard member is deployed, pay is increased.

"We're on continuous recruitment. We have a lot of positions to fill," Ka'apana said.