Research & Economic Analysis

Overall economic conditions were mixed across the counties in the second quarter of 2023. The unemployment rate decreased in all counties and all counties saw an increase in total non-agricultural wage and salary jobs and the value of private building permits. Visitor arrivals by air increased in Honolulu; however, visitor arrivals decreased in Hawaii County, Maui, and Kauai.

In the second quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate in Honolulu decreased 0.6 of a percentage point from 3.4 percent to 2.8 percent; the unemployment rate in Maui County decreased 0.6 of a percentage point from 3.4 percent to 2.8 percent; the unemployment rate in Kauai County decreased 0.8 of a percentage point from 3.6 percent to 2.8 percent; and the unemployment rate in Hawaii County decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from 3.6 percent to 3.3 percent.

In the second quarter of 2023, Honolulu added 12,900 or 2.9 percent 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 3,500 jobs or 8.2 percent. This was followed by Accommodation which added 1,900 jobs or 12.3 percent and Private Educational Services added 1,000 jobs or 9.1 percent. Information, Professional & Business Services, and Other Services added 900 jobs; Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation, added 800 jobs in the quarter. The Government sector added 2,200 jobs or 2.3 percent in the quarter.

In the second quarter of 2023, Hawaii County added 1,900 or 2.8 percent of non-agricultural wage and salary jobs over the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs increased the most in Retail Trade which added 600 jobs or 6.4 percent, followed by Professional & Business Services which added 400 jobs or 6.3 percent. Wholesale Trade; Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities; and Private Educational Services each added 200 jobs in the quarter. The Government sector added 600 jobs or 4.2 percent in the quarter.

Maui County added 1,900 jobs or a 2.6 percent increase in the second quarter of 2023 over the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs increased the most in Food Services and Drinking Places which added 900 jobs or 10.0 percent, and by Accommodation which added 300 jobs or 2.7 percent, and Natural Resources, Mining and Construction which added 200 jobs or 4.4 percent in the quarter. The Government sector added 200 jobs or 2.3 percent in the quarter.

Kauai County added 1,100 jobs or a 3.6 percent increase in the second quarter of 2023 over the same quarter of 2022. The number of jobs increased the most in Accommodation which added 500 jobs or 13.2 percent. Retail Trade and Professional & Business Services each added 200 jobs in the quarter. The Government sector job was unchanged in the quarter.

In the second quarter of 2023, visitor arrivals by air increased in Honolulu but decreased in Maui, Hawaii County and Kauai. Visitor arrivals by air increased 11.0 percent in Honolulu and decreased 3.9 percent in Maui, 1.0 percent in Hawaii County, and 0.4 percent in Kauai compared to the same quarter of 2022.

In the second quarter of 2023, the value of private building permits increased in all counties. In the second quarter of 2023, private building permits increased $152.9 million or 53.7 percent in Honolulu, increased $131.0 million or 155.3 percent in Maui, increased $17.9 million or 7.6 percent in Hawaii County, and increased $10.0 million or 34.2 percent in Kauai (only residential available) from the same quarter of the previous year.

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