Hawaii government job count down 6% from 2008

Government employment in Hawaii has fallen about 5.6 percent in the past year, with state government taking the biggest hit with the loss of about 8,000 jobs. Government still directly employs more people in Hawaii than any other industry, including tourism.

Even with the latest cuts, government employment has risen by 7.3 percent or by about 10,000 jobs since 2000, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. By comparison, employment in leisure and hospitality stood at 101,000 in December 2009, the same as in December 2000.

Total government employment in Hawaii fell from 130,500 in November 2008 to 123,200 in November 2009, according to the latest data available. The state began the bulk of more than 2,000 layoffs in November and says more than 2,000 positions haven’t been filled.

As of November 2009, the state employed 71,200 people, down from 79,400 a year earlier. Even at the lower number, it’s still higher than the number who worked for the state in 2005. The Hawaii Legislature began its 2010 session in January and faces a projected shortfall of $1.5 billion.

City and county governments employ 18,600 people, down only about 100 from the previous year. The federal government has added about 1,000 civilian jobs in Hawaii in the past year and now employs 33,400 people, the highest number ever.