Hawaii’s jobless rate for January inches upward, led by losses in tourism industry

Hawaii jobless rate inches upward, led by tourism

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s unemployment rate inched upward in January, led by large job losses in the tourism sector of the state’s economy, the state reported Wednesday.

According to figures compiled by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January was 6.9 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage points over December’s revised rate of 6.8 percent.

In January 2009, Hawaii’s jobless rate was 6 percent. At the time, the number of unemployed Hawaii residents was 38,400. Two months ago, it was 43,450, according to the state figures.

Gov. Linda Lingle used the release of the unemployment statistics to push for legislation she said would generate employment, including tax credits for firms that create new jobs and clean energy investment bonds that would finance energy-efficient projects.

“With many of our residents out of work, it is critical that the Legislature pass immediate and meaningful legislation that will help private businesses create and retain jobs,” she said in a statement.

Lingle also said she has asked her top aides to move forward with programs that do not require legislative approval. Those include Hawaii Premium Plus, which would reimburse employers for the cost of health care premiums for new hires. It is expected to begin on May 1, and state officials hope to finance half of its cost through federal funds.

The January 2010 figures showed that employment in Hawaii’s trade, transportation and utilities sector posted a 1,100-job jump, mainly among retail stores, food and beverage sellers, and gasoline stations.

The number of jobs in construction and government also rose, by 600 and 400 respectively.

But the leisure and hospitality sector lost 1,500 jobs, mainly among hotel and food service workers.

An additional 600 jobs in employment services and waste collection also disappeared.