|
CONTACT: Media Interviews (415) 625-2270 (415) 625-2282 Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/ro9/news.htm |
BLS 09-72 |
Consumer prices in the Honolulu metropolitan area increased by 0.3 percent from one year prior, but decreased by 1.0 percent in the first half of 2009 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that an increase in the housing index contributed significantly to an overall increase in the annual all items index.
The transportation index fell by 11.0 percent for the year and 9.8 percent for the past six months. Over the year, gasoline prices were lower by 32.6 percent since the first half of 2008 and 30.6 percent since the second half of 2008.
The housing index made appreciable gains of 0.8 percent for the year. Annual prices for shelter also rose by 2.7 percent over the year and 2.3 percent for the past six months. The rent of primary residence index experienced increases of 3.2 percent and 2.5 percent for the year and for the past six months, respectively.
Prices paid for food and beverages rose 5.8 percent over the course of the year. During this period, both the food at home and food away from home indexes increased by 5.9 percent. An increase of 1.8 percent was recorded in the food and beverages index over the past six months. Food at home prices were up a modest 0.6 percent over the past six months and food away from home prices increased by 2.1 percent. The price of alcoholic beverages increased by 2.1 percent for the year and increased by 3.2 percent since the second half of 2008.
Medical care prices rose by 1.5 percent for the past twelve months and by 1.1 percent for the past six months.
Apparel prices exhibited large gains, with an 8.0 percent increase for the year and a 9.3 percent increase since the second half of 2008. Prices for recreation were unchanged since first half of 2008, but increased 0.6 percent from the latter half of 2008.
Education and communication prices advanced 5.0 percent during the past year and 1.5 percent over the past six months. Other goods and services rose by 7.5 percent on an annual basis and 5.1 percent on a semi-annual basis.
The Honolulu area’s Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) advanced to 228.070 (1982-84=100) during the first half of 2009. Therefore, a market basket of goods and services that cost $100.00 in 1982-84 would have cost $228.07 in the first six months of 2009. Local area CPI data are not seasonally adjusted.
__________________________________________________________________
Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.
Voice phone 202-691-5200
TDD message referral phone number: 800-877-8339
__________________________________________________________________
Please click here for a text formatted copy of the table issued with this release.
Last Modified Date: August 14, 2009
