Research & Economic Analysis

Maui County continued to recover from the impacts of the August 8, 2023 wildfires in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the second quarter of 2024. Maui County unemployment decreased while its visitor arrivals and value of building permits increased. All counties added jobs. Honolulu saw a slight increase in visitor arrivals, an increase in the value of private building permits, and no change in unemployment rate compared to the same quarter in 2024. Kaua‘i saw lower unemployment, an increase in visitor arrivals, and an increase in the value of building permits (residential only). Hawai‘i County saw a slightly higher unemployment rate, a decrease in visitor arrivals, and a decrease in the value of private building permits.

In the second quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate remained the same at 2.6 percent in Honolulu; decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from 2.6 percent to 2.5 percent in Kaua‘i; and increased 0.1 of a percentage point from 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent in Hawai‘i County. Maui County’s unemployment rate decreased 1.2 percentage points from 4.3 percent to 3.1 percent.

In the second quarter of 2025, Honolulu added 11,300 or 2.5 percent non-agricultural wage and salary jobs compared to the same quarter of 2024. The number of jobs increased the most in Health Care and Social Assistance, which added 3,000 jobs or 5.3 percent; followed by Food Services & Drinking Places, which added 2,100 jobs or 4.6 percent; and Construction, which added 1,200 jobs or 4.3 percent. The Government sector added 700 jobs or 0.7 percent, with the Federal government losing 1,100 jobs or 3.4 percent while the State government gained 1,600 jobs or 3.0 percent and the Local government gained 200 jobs or 1.7 percent.

In the second quarter of 2025, Hawai‘i County added 1,100 or 1.5 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs over the same quarter of 2024. The number of jobs increased the most in Health Care and Social Assistance, which added 200 jobs or 2.5 percent. Wholesale Trade; Professional & Business Services; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Food Services & Drinking Places; and Other Services added 100 jobs each. The Government sector added 500 jobs or 3.3 percent.

Maui County gained 1,800 or 2.5 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs in the second quarter of 2025 over the same quarter of 2024. The largest increase in the number of jobs was in Food Services & Drinking Places, which gained 700 jobs or 8.0 percent; followed by Accommodation, which added 500 jobs or 4.7 percent; and Health Care & Social Assistance, which added 300 jobs or 3.7 percent. The Government sector added 100 jobs or 1.1 percent.

Kaua‘i gained 800 non-agricultural wage and salary jobs or 2.5 percent in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter of 2024. The number of jobs increased the most in Food Services & Drinking Places, which added 400 jobs or 9.3 percent, followed by Professional & Business Services and Other Services, each of which added 200 jobs. The Government sector added 100 jobs or 2.0 percent in the quarter.

In the second quarter of 2025, visitor arrivals by air increased in Honolulu, Kaua‘i, and Maui County but decreased in Hawai‘i County. Visitor arrivals by air increased 0.7 percent in Honolulu, increased 9.2 percent in Maui County, and increased 1.3 percent in Kaua‘i. Visitor arrivals decreased 1.5 percent in Hawai‘i County compared to the same quarter of 2024.

In the second quarter of 2025, the value of private building permits increased in Honolulu, Maui County, and Kaua‘i (only residential available) but decreased in Hawai‘i County. In the second quarter of 2025, private building permits increased $366.1 million or 46.7 percent in Honolulu, increased $21.8 million or 15.5 percent in Maui County, and increased $8.8 million or 39.6 percent in Kaua‘i (only residential available). Private building permits decreased $88.4 million or 29.4 percent in Hawai‘i County from the same quarter of the previous year.