Even with the COVID-19 pandemic in decline in recent months, there are still staffing shortages across Hawaii.
The state is trying to combat this by encouraging employers to report those who turn down "suitable work" while receiving unemployment benefits. People who decline work are not intended to be eligible for unemployment benefits, according to HawaiiUnemploymentInfo.com
"Suitable work is defined as employment that the claimant has the customary skills and abilities to perform and pays an amount that is normal for that occupation within that labor market," according to HawaiiUnemploymentInfo.com.
Cassandra Hazen
| Facebook/Holualoa Inn
Numerous businesses in Hawaii have concerns about staffing shortages, and this includes the Holualoa Inn, which is located in Holualoa.
"Oh, absolutely. But part of the reason is, we weren't ready for the normal business that came and went from nothing to, like, jammed overnight," Cassandra Hazen, owner of the Holualoa Inn, told Big Island Times. "And again, I think part of the reason why we're getting so much activity to the islands, you know, you can't get to Europe. And so they're either going to the Bahamas or they're coming to Hawaii, and people are are wanting to travel. So one day we (are very empty). The next day we are slammed. We kept 99% of our staff working all through COVID. So we were ready; we had people ready to start working."
Hazen agreed that staffing is currently the biggest concern for the bed-and-breakfast.
"Staff, you know, were more afraid than the people coming," Hazen said.
She doesn't feel that there are a lack of guests visiting the Inn, though.
"The Inn is even busier now than it was pre-COVID because people are traveling to Hawaii with travel restrictions lifted for Hawaii, but Europe still closed," Hazen explained.
People claiming unemployment benefits are required to make three job search contacts per week and document them, according to HawaiiUnemploymentInfo.com. However, the "active search for work" requirement was temporarily suspended by Gov. David Ige at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following are several examples of a job search contact: Registering for work on HireNet Hawaii or at a private employment placement agency; applying for work with employers by submitting resumes or interviewing; using employment resources at the American Job Center to identify potential job openings; attending job fairs, seminars or other workshops that offer instructions in improving job skills and seeking and obtaining employment; or conducting other work search activities that people in the same or similar occupation would engage in.