Big Island Unemployment Claims Decline

Big Island unemployment claims decreased by 38.2% over the same period a year ago according to new unemployment data released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

The total number of unemployment claims for the Big Island was 315, compared to 510 a year ago, a decline of 195 claims.

Statewide initial unemployment claims decreased by 31.1%, with this week’s total filings of 1,707 and filings during the same week in 2011 of 2,476.

Comparing 2012 to 2011 for the other counties:

• Oahu had 360 fewer claims filed, a 25.8% decrease
• Maui had 80 fewer claims filed, a 27.4% decrease
• Kauai had 104 fewer claims filed  a 50.2% decrease
• Agent claims (filed against Hawaii from another state) were down by 30, a 42.3% decrease from the same period a year ago.