A decline in Maui construction jobs may be a negative for the island's economy, with the downturn threatening to damp its economic prospects for several years.

That's the finding of a new report from the University of Hawai'i Economic Research Organization, which found that construction jobs have fallen by a double-digit percentage rate since peaking in March at about 5,000.

"Construction has ceased to be a growth engine for Maui's economy at a time when other sources of job growth have stalled," said the report.

"The tourism sector is turning in its worst performance since early 2002, and this is being felt in the accommodations and food sector, as well as in transportation."