Research & Economic Analysis

Maui County continued to experience the impacts of the August 8, 2023 wildfires. Maui County saw decreases in visitor arrivals, lost jobs, and faced a higher unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022. Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kauai counties saw increases in visitor arrivals, gained jobs, and experienced lower unemployment rates during the same quarter. The value of private building permits increased in Hawaii County but decreased in Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai counties in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate in Honolulu decreased 1.3 percentage point from 3.7 percent to 2.4 percent; the unemployment rate in Hawaii County decreased 1.5 percentage point from 4.0 percent to 2.5 percent; and the unemployment rate in Kauai County decreased 1.3 percentage point from 3.6 percent to 2.3 percent. The unemployment rate in Maui County increased 2.7 percentage points from 3.6 percent to 6.3 percent

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Honolulu added 5,200 or 1.1 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs compared to the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs increased the most in Food Services and Drinking Places, which added 1,900 jobs or 4.1 percent. This was followed by Health Care & Social Assistance which added 1,500 jobs or 2.7 percent, Arts, Entertainment & Recreation which added 700 jobs or 9.2 percent, and Private Educational Services which added 600 jobs or 5.1 percent in the quarter. The Government sector added 2,200 jobs or 2.3 percent in the quarter

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Hawaii County added 2,000 or 2.9 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs over the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs increased the most in Professional & Business Services which added 600 jobs or 9.4 percent and Retail Trade which added 400 jobs or 4.0 percent. Private Educational Services added 300 jobs or 23.1 percent, Food Services & Drinking Places added 300 jobs or 4.5 percent, and Accommodation added 200 jobs or 3.3 percent in the quarter. The Government sector added 700 jobs or 4.8 percent in the quarter

Maui County lost 2,400 jobs or 3.2 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs in the fourth quarter of 2023 over the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs decreased the most in Food Services and Drinking Places which lost 1,100 jobs or 11.7 percent. Retail Trade lost 600 jobs or 6.6 percent and Accommodation lost 600 jobs or 5.2 percent. Health Care & Social Assistance added 500 jobs or 6.3 percent. The Government sector jobs added 200 jobs or 2.3 percent in the quarter

Kauai County added 300 jobs or a 1.0 percent increase in non-agricultural wage and salary jobs in the fourth quarter of 2023 over the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs increased the most in Retail Trade which added 200 jobs or 5.1 percent, in Professional & Business Services which added 200 jobs or 6.9 percent, and in Accommodation which added 200 jobs or 4.9 percent. The Government sector added 100 jobs or 2.0 percent in the quarter

In the fourth quarter of 2023, visitor arrivals by air increased in all counties except Maui County. Visitor arrivals by air increased 10.5 percent in Honolulu, 0.9 percent in Hawaii County, and 1.0 percent in Kauai compared to the same quarter of 2022. Visitor arrivals by air decreased 31.7 percent in Maui County

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the value of private building permits decreased in all counties except Hawaii County. In the fourth quarter of 2023, private building permits decreased $393.9 million or 46.5 percent in Honolulu, decreased by $10.2 million or 5.4 percent in Maui County, and decreased $1.1 million or 2.2 percent in Kauai County (only residential available) from the same quarter of the previous year. The value of private building permits increased $13.0 million or 6.2 percent in Hawaii County.