• While overall employment in the State of Hawaii increased 3.15% between 1997 and 2002, employment within the construction industry rose by 25.22%, creating 5,496 new construction jobs as well as creating 15 new construction establishments in 5 years.

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 21,791 individuals employed in the construction industry in Hawaii in 1997 and 27,287 in 2002, an increase of 25.22% in 5 years. 

• While the average worker in Hawaii brought home $29,410 in pay in 2002, the state’s construction workers made on average $41,743, an increase of 29.54% more than the average worker in Hawaii. 

• Construction employees in Hawaii made $41,743 on average in 2002, compared to $35,352, the national average salary in 2002 for construction workers across the United States.

• Of the113 new businesses established between 1997 and 2002 in Hawaii, 15 or 13.27% of those establishments were in the construction industry. 

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 38.2 percent of Hawaii’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 62 out of 100 Hawaii’s private construction workers do not belong to a labor union.

Data are from the U.S. Bureau of the Census except where noted.

• The dollar threshold amount for contract coverage under state prevailing wage laws in Hawaii is $2,000.