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State unemployment rate holds at all-time low of 2 percent

Hawaii’s unemployment rate is holding at its all-time low of 2 percent.

The state’s labor market continued to remain strong as the seasonally adjusted jobless rate in May matched the previous month’s number to retain its ranking as the lowest in the country, according to data released today by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Nonagricultural jobs rose by 1,800 to 663,400 as the construction sector led the way by adding 600 positions over the month. Professional and business services were next with an additional 500 jobs.

The number of people unemployed in the labor force last month fell by 50, to 13,950, its lowest level since there were 13,550 unemployed in November 1989.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the nationwide unemployment rate fell to an 18-year low of 3.8 percent in May from 3.9 percent the previous month.

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