Research & Economic Analysis

ounty economic conditions in the first quarter of 2025 were mixed compared to the same quarter in 2024, led by Maui County’s ongoing recovery from the impacts of the August 8, 2023 wildfires. All counties added jobs. All counties except Honolulu County saw increases in visitor arrivals. The unemployment rate slightly increased in all counties except Maui County, where the unemployment rate decreased. Private building permit values increased for all counties except Kaua‘i County (only residential permits available) in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same quarter in 2024.

In the first quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate in Honolulu increased 0.1 of a percentage point from 2.4 percent to 2.5 percent; the unemployment rate in Kaua‘i County increased 0.2 of a percentage point from 2.3 percent to 2.5 percent; and the unemployment rate in Hawai‘i County increased 0.2 of a percentage point from 2.8 percent to 3.0 percent. The unemployment rate in Maui County decreased 2.0 percentage points from 5.3 percent to 3.3 percent.

In the first quarter of 2025, Honolulu added 8,000 or 1.7 percent non-agricultural wage and salary jobs compared to the same quarter of 2024. The number of jobs increased the most in the Government sector, particularly State government, which added 2,200 jobs or 4.2 percent; followed by Health Care & Social Assistance, which added 1,700 jobs or 3.0 percent; Other Services, which added 900 jobs or 4.5 percent; and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, which added 800 jobs or 9.6 percent.

In the first quarter of 2025, Hawai‘i County added 1,000 or 1.4 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs over the same quarter of 2024. The number of jobs increased the most in Government, which added 500 jobs or 3.3 percent; followed by Health Care & Social Assistance which added 300 jobs or 3.8 percent in the quarter; and Other Services, which added 200 jobs or 8.7 percent in the quarter.

Maui County added 1,300 jobs or a 1.8 percent increase in the first quarter of 2025 over the same quarter of 2024. The number of jobs increased the most in Food Services and Drinking Places, which added 600 jobs or 7.1 percent, followed by Construction, Professional & Business Services, and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, which added 200 jobs each. The Government sector gained 100 jobs or 1.1 percent in the quarter.

Kaua‘i County added 1,000 jobs or a 3.1 percent increase in the first quarter of 2025 over 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, which added 200 jobs or 7.1 percent. Transportation, Warehousing, Utilities; Accommodation; and Other Services each added 100 jobs. Government added 100 jobs in the quarter.

In the first quarter of 2025, visitor arrivals by air increased in all counties except Honolulu County. Visitor arrivals by air decreased 0.4 percent in Honolulu County. Visitor arrivals by air increased 2.3 percent in Hawai‘i County, 1.9 percent in Kaua‘i County and 11.7 percent in Maui County compared to the same quarter of 2024.

In the first quarter of 2025, the value of private building permits increased in Honolulu County, Maui County and Hawai‘i County but decreased in Kaua‘i County. In the first quarter of 2025, private building permits increased $251.2 million or 41.6 percent in Honolulu, increased $97.9 million or 47.8 percent in Hawai‘i County, and increased $63.1 million or 40.9 percent in Maui County. Private building permits decreased $10.8 million or 24.5 percent in Kaua‘i (only residential available), from the same quarter of the previous year.