Hawaii’s average gas price tops $4 a gallon
Hawaii's statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline hit $4 today as pump prices surged to record highs overnight both in the islands and across the country.
The statewide average of $4.005 a gallon was 3 cents higher than yesterday and 60 cents higher than this time a year ago, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.
Prices also reached records in the three Hawaii metropolitan areas tracked by the auto club. In Honolulu, the average of $3.904 was 2 cents higher than the previous day. Motorists in Wailuku saw a 4-cent jump overnight to $4.326, while Hilo prices surged about 8 cents, to top the $4 mark for the first time at $4.055.
Maui was the first region of the country to hit $4 a gallon when it reached the threshold in March, according to AAA.
At Uptown Chevron in Wailuku where regular gasoline was selling for $4.37 a gallon yesterday, Kristian Nakamura said he's cut his driving in half and reduced his recreational fishing and surfing trips.
"I try to be certain there's surf," he said.
Hawaii's average was sixth-highest in the country behind Alaska ($4.181), Connecticut ($4.125), Illinois ($4.060), New York ($4.054) and California ($4.046). The nationwide average also set a record of $3.875 just as motorists mark the traditional start of the summer driving season this Memorial Day weekend. Prices are up nearly 20 percent, or 65 cents a gallon, over the past year.
Prices are driven by crude oil costs, which also have hit records this week, topping $130 a barrel.
Star-Bulletin reporter Gary Kubota contributed to this report
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