Hawaii has best unemployment bennies in the nation (insurance, condo)

[fancyapint]

Good news about Hawaii's safety net, given the cost of living. No wonder lots of folks take a chance on Hawaii

1. Hawaii
Percentage of Weekly Wages Covered By Benefits: 54.3%
Average Weekly Benefit Amount: $416
Unemployed Receiving Benefits: 43% (Seventh Highest)
> Unemployment: 6.3% (Ninth Highest)

Hawaii is the only state to provide the unemployed with an average of more than 50% of weekly wages, and its average weekly benefit is also the nation's highest. The state's jobless rate has remained steady at 6.3% for four months, down from 6.8% one year ago. In Hawaii, the unemployment insurance program is entirely funded by employers

The 10 Best States for Unemployment Benefits -- and the 10 Worst - DailyFinance

[nullgeo]

The rate doesn't begin to offset the COL factor.
There's no bright upside in this.

In spite of the relatively high statistical rate of employment, Hawaii is one of the, if not THE, worst state for an average person to earn a living wage. As has been reported many times, the reality behind the "employment rate" staying as high as it appears is through people holding down multiple, VERY low-paying, part-time, service-industry jobs.

This is no cakewalk here. It is CRITICAL to burst this bubble every time a post is made that fosters ANY illusion about potential upside in coming to Hawaii with anything less than technical (i.e. medical) employment guaranteed in writing in advance. Any dreamers coming to try their luck must be absolutely prepared for living hand-to-mouth for a long time while they hope to connect better somewhere along the years. And that might or might not EVER happen.

Wonderful place -- IF you have an angle: military, medical, or other specialized, in-demand profession.

[mdand3boys]

Hawaii does not (and has not) participated in the "99 week" unemployment for quite some time. They cut out the last 26 weeks of whatever the federal extension is called because the governor wanted it to look like Hawaii was doing much better than other states. Yes, Hawaii's unemployment rate appears low - however, the outlying islands have much higher rates. Oahu's high population skews the states overall rate to make it appear much better than it really is.

I have recently talked to people in Hawaii County gov't that believe the real unemployment rate in Hawaii County is upwards of 20%.

[whtviper1]

Unemployment weekly max benefit went up to $560/week starting April 1.

The cost to fund unemployment is pretty high, up to 5.4% of wages for the employer - money that could have gone to the employees.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

Hawaii does not (and has not) participated in the "99 week" unemployment for quite some time. They cut out the last 26 weeks of whatever the federal extension is called because the governor wanted it to look like Hawaii was doing much better than other states. Yes, Hawaii's unemployment rate appears low - however, the outlying islands have much higher rates. Oahu's high population skews the states overall rate to make it appear much better than it really is.

I have recently talked to people in Hawaii County gov't that believe the real unemployment rate in Hawaii County is upwards of 20%.

The state unemployment rate is what it is. Oahu doesn't "skew" it. "It" means the total for the state. That said, your point, I assume, is that the unemployment rate on the islands OTHER than Oahu is much higher than what is cited for the state -- which is VERY true, and a good point to make for any readers thinking of moving to Big Island, Maui, Kauai -- and certainly Molokai (!!).

[KonaKat]

Yes,many people work 2 or 3 "part time" jobs because if they worked more than 20 hours a week the employer must provide medical coverage which is very costly. (moral issues aside) Ones that used to get lots of OT, now get none and are lucky to get 35 or 37 hours a week. The "underemployed" are not reported at all. The number of multi-generational families living together is high - partly cultural, partly economic necessity. Decent housing such as a 2/2 condo would run at least $1000 to $1200/mo plus GE tax & utilities.

[CyberCity]

And as has been discussed before on this site, the "unemployment" numbers from Hawaii are taken from how many are collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Thus, if someone has exhausted their benefits, or was self-employed and now jobless, or was fired (and not collecting unemployment benefits), they are NOT counted in the state's stats of the number of unemployed.

Here's more than you probably want to know about our labor market:
Hawaii Labor Market Dynamics - Sept 2011

[fancyapint]

Great info all. My intent wasn't to say Hawaii had no job problems, just an observation that if you have a good job, and you lose it, you are a bit more well taken care of than most states AND countries! Normal caveats about savings, etc. to supplement this of course apply

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by fancyapint

Great info all. My intent wasn't to say Hawaii had no job problems, just an observation that if you have a good job, and you lose it, you are a bit more well taken care of than most states AND countries! Normal caveats about savings, etc. to supplement this of course apply

Except that 54.3% of minimum wage in a community with the highest COL in the nation -- umm, doesn't amount to squat!

[Kawena]

I can never figure out just how a business owner has to pay for unemployment insurance and never be able to collect from it.... hmm.. One of the questions on the application. are you a business owner share holder..... yadda yadda... "fail"

If I keep my employee till they retire, I must pay into the pool.... Hmmm.... "premiums"
Having never been laid off of work my employees will never collect. easy money.