Lowest unemployment rate is no paradise for Hawaii

[Kilgore]

HONOLULU—Are there downsides to a low unemployment rate? In Hawaii, which has the United States’s lowest jobless rate at a minuscule 2.1 percent, the answer is yes.

Employers are frustrated by their inability to find workers. And unfilled jobs may be slowing the state’s economic growth.

A low unemployment rate is certainly better than a high one. And many employers are responding to the worker shortage by offering higher pay.

Still, Hawaii’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for the nation as a whole: Low unemployment can mask underlying problems.

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When this article appeared in todays news digest, I admit thinking about leaving the cold and rain and relocating to Hawaii.

But this is a real issue. My company cant find enough engineers, millwrights and truck drivers to fill open positions and has started to raise wages and offer signing bonuses. I just received a $500 bounty for making a refferal that was hired.

I know it looks dark out there, but in our little corner of the world, there are paychecks and happy families.

Also know that I probably just posted a flame magnet.

[Fred Sanders]

1. Thanks, Obama. Eight years of competent and uncorrupt and fact based government.

I remember.

[Ron Obvious]

5. Let's see...

Are you thanking Obama for the low unemployment rates, or for the low wages, part-time jobs, lack of benefits, the exorbitant housing and other cost of living, the $$$ sucked out of the state by international corporations, and the homelessness?

[Fred Sanders]

6. Do you even remember 2008 and 2009? Look at the economic charts since then and get back to me.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

2. When in Hawaii last fall......

On our effort to get to Australia, we saw tent cities along the Nimitz Highway, disheveled people literally sleeping on the streets in Waikiki and at the Ala Moana Shopping center. Despite low unemployment, there is a lot of homelessness. Hawaii's cost of living is close to 30% higher than on the mainland because everything must be shipped over. Real Estate is at a premium. Rents and mortgages are based on square footage.

My son's fiancee just left Hawaii, Maui to be exact, to live back in Minnesota, was renting a 1,400 sq. Foot house for $4,000 a month and she is a Realtor.

[Cha]

8. $4000 a month.. Wow, that's

high.. unless you're super rich.

I'm fortunate that I live in Affordable Senior Housing on Kauai.. rent controlled. And, it's new, lovely, and spacious. With state of the art sprinkler systems.

I have a garden apt. They do have a lot of good Housing here for those who can't afford regular prices. And, they have Habitat for Humanity.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

9. Yes, that is high. .....

My future DIL will have her kids come back in June when the school term finishes.

Space is a premium on Maui and Oahu. The more square footage a place is, the more expensive it is.

[Ferrets are Cool]

3. Is it the high cost of living that deters people from moving there? nt

[msongs]

4. tons of jobs available here: part time, minimum wage, no benefits. tourist $$ is sucked

out of the state by international corporations and people in hawaii get the crumbs left over. there needs to be a way to keep more of that $$ here

[ProudMNDemocrat]

10. When we were there, we tipped in cash......

We also stayed at a Veteran's Park off the Nimitz before you get to the Sand Island turnoff for $25 A night. There are rooms for Veterans and Retired Military that are basic, no frills for a maximum 7 days. Run by a non profit that accepts Cashier's checks or Money Orders. On the bus route to Honolulu and Waikiki too.

[dembotoz]

7. wonder what a realistic break even wage is over there...sure as hell isn't federal minimum,