High global import tariffs and federal government policy uncertainties are expected to keep Hawaii’s economy in slow-growth mode for the next few years, according to a new state forecast.

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on Thursday published its most recent quarterly economic outlook, which contains a few mostly small positive changes from its prior forecast issued May 28.

One of the bigger positive changes expected in the latest forecast is the level of inflation in Hawaii not being as high as previously forecast. The new report expects that broad costs for goods and services on Oahu, the biggest consumer market in the state, will rise 3% this year and then 2.8% next year. DBEDT’s last forecast expected increases of 3.8% and 3.6%, respectively.

Still,

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