Job Growth

Estimate

In 2021, before the Lahaina wildfire, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations predicted a 4,070 job increase, or a 4.7% increase from 2018 to 2028. Of these, 1,240 are in health care and social assistance, and DLIR expects the highest growth rate of 14.6% in the construction sector.

However, 7,670 jobs were lost immediately after the fire, and in July 2024, the employment number was still 5,329 below the pre-wildfire number.

 DBEDT forecasts Hawaii’s overall economic growth will be about 1.5% in 2024 and exceed 2.0% in 2025. 

Maui County Employment Projection based on DLIR’s 2021 study (0.5% annual increase)

July 2023       Sep 2023 July 2024 2029 2034

85,429 77,759 80,100 82,123 (estimate) 84,196 (estimate) 

Reference

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics

2. DBEDT Labor market dashboard

3. DEBDT Maui Wildfire Impacts Economic Recovery 

4. DLIR Hirenet

5. Maui Now - Maui wildfires continue to impact economic recovery