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Hawaii’s unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 4.9 percent in April, the lowest level in more than four years, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported today.
The jobless rate was down from 5.1 percent in March and 6.1 percent last April, according to the report. The April rate equaled the previous low of 4.9 percent in October 2008.
The number of unemployed fell to 31,850 in April from 33,300 in March. However, the number of employed also fell, dropping to 614,000 in April from 614,100 in March.
The total labor force, which is a combination of those who are employed and unemployed, but still looking for work, fell to 645,850 in April from 647,400 in March.
The labor force data are largely derived from a telephone survey of households. A separate survey of businesses showed that the number of non-farm payroll jobs rose by 3,000 in April from March.
The hospitality industry was the biggest gainer, adding 700 positions in April. Trade, transportation and utilities increased hiring by 400 positions. The biggest decline was in education and health services, which lost 800 jobs.
