#tariff

Tokuda ultimately opposed the measure, citing its failure to address the rising costs facing farmers and producers, support the nutrition needs of working families—from keiki to kupuna—and provide meaningful investment in rural economies. The bill cleared the committee by a vote of 34-17 and now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.  

US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi introduced the Tariff Free Farming Act  to lower costs for farmers by eliminating President Trump’s tariffs on essential agricultural imported supplies. 

The US Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump’s global tariffs on Friday, prompting response from Hawaiʻi congressional leaders.

Rising tariffs and heightened policy uncertainty are expected to add to one-off inflationary pressures by late 2025 and into 2026, with the Honolulu Consumer Price Index projected to increase during this period. These conditions are expected to weigh on economic activity, keeping growth subdued through 2026.

The UHERO second quarter forecast for 2025 reports: “sharp increases in US import tariffs, sweeping federal layoffs, and volatile fiscal and immigration policies are undermining consumer confidence, raising inflation expectations, and worsening the business outlook—both nationally and in Hawaiʻi’s visitor-dependent economy.”

The State of Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings around the neighbor islands where the public can weigh in on a proposed temporary rate increase and tariff changes by the shipping company Young Brothers.

The Time of Use rate structure program encourages customers to reduce electricity use during times when electricity is more expensive to produce, while allowing them to take advantage of less expensive electricity being offered at other times.