Hawaii Lost 1,217 Jobs in Q4

There were 10 mass layoffs in Hawaii that resulted in 1,217 workers losing their jobs for at least 31 days during Q4 2008.

That is up from four mass layoffs and 563 workers in the Q4 2007.

Alaska, California, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey and Wyoming also reported highs in terms of numbers of separations.

A mass layoff event occurs when there are 50 or more initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits from an employer during a five-week period.

The latest count included layoffs at DFS Group, the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaiian Dredging and several others.