Island unemployment up slightly

By Associated Press

Hawaii's unemployment is up a bit but still about half the national average. Seasonally adjusted unemployment rose from two-point-three percent in February to two and a-half percent in March. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reports all islands posted higher numbers with the exception of Molokai. The rate was two-point-three percent on Oahu, three percent on the Big Island, two-point-three percent on Kauai, two-point-one percent on Maui, two-point-eight percent on Lanai and four-point-six percent on Molokai. Across the nation, the unemployment rate in March was four-point-four percent, down from four and a-half percent in February.