Hawai'i's seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment dipped to a nation-low 2.5 percent in September from 2.8 percent in August, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported yesterday.

It marked the third consecutive monthly decline, officials said.

Nationwide, unemployment fell for the second consecutive month to 4.6 percent last month.

In September, 642,750 Island residents had jobs and 16,200 were unemployed for a seasonally adjusted labor force of 659,000, the department said.

The number of nonagricultural jobs increased by 4,400, or 0.7 percent, last month to 619,300, officials said.

Most of the growth was attributed to government, which grew by 2,900 jobs.

The increase in jobs was largely due to the hiring of public school substitute teachers, educational assistants, classroom cleaners and other full-time and part-time support staff as the Department of Education shifted to a new schedule.

Meanwhile, the cruise ship industry contributed 600 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities category.

September also saw the creation of 300 jobs in education and healthcare services, fueled by increased hiring in private schools for the new school year.

The construction and leisure and hospitality sectors remained stable from August to September, while manufacturing lost 100 jobs.