By comparison, the number of jobs in that sector dropped dramatically as a result of the last recession: from a peak of 40,000 at the end of 2007 to a low of 28,000 in early 2011.īrewbaker says it helped that construction was allowed to continue during the pandemic, when other industries had to shut down, and that construction workers quickly implemented safety measures on job sites. The number of natural resources, mining and construction jobs in the Islands between March and November 2020 has been relatively stable, fluctuating between roughly 36,000 and 38,000 positions, according to state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism monthly data. And I think there’s something emotionally important about this.” Resilient IndustryĮconomist Paul Brewbaker says Hawai‘i’s construction industry has been “remarkably resilient” during the pandemic. “There’s something there, going on down the street, and seeing it’s moving forward. And that’s important.”Īnother benefit of a healthy construction industry: Ongoing projects give people hope during this challenging time. ![]() ![]() It’s our industry right now that is able to continue to keep our employees and provide that backbone, that financial backbone, to many families. It’s not just our firm, it’s our competition as well. “We are, I believe currently, a bit of a lifeline for the economy,” says Bettina Mehnert, CEO of AHL, one of the state’s largest architecture firms. Some architecture firms and contractors are even adding staff to keep up with the steady – and sometimes increased – workload. Those projects include hotel renovations, new and remodeled homes, county and state infrastructure efforts and military construction. ![]() Diverse projects are keeping Hawai‘i’s construction industry busy and offering much-needed support for the state’s fractured economy.
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