AAA Hawaii: Gas prices set daily records

Gas prices in Hawaii started rising rapidly last week, setting even more daily records in recent days, according to AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch.

The average regular price for unleaded gasoline for Hawaii is $5.20, up 11 cents from last week and a new record for the state. The average national price is $4.23, down one cent from a week ago.

• in the kahuluithe average price is $5.30, which is 10 cents higher than last week, 61 cents higher than last month and $1.53 higher than a year ago.
• Lihu’e The average price of regular drinks is $5.38, up 8 cents from last week, 59 cents more than last month and $1.50 more than a year ago.
• in the Honoluluthe average price for lead-free lead on Thursday was $5.11, which is 11 cents over last week, 65 cents over a month and $1.55 over the price on this date last year.
• the Hilo The average gas price is $5.25, up 14 cents from last Thursday, 72 cents up from a month ago and $1.44 up from this day a year ago.

Prices listed are a snapshot in time and are derived from credit card transactions for fleet vehicles at specific participating locations. They do not reflect all stations in those cities.

Meanwhile, rural Maui County areas like Lānaʻi and the city of Hāna in east Maui have traditionally struggled with higher costs at the pump, with regular unleaded gasoline selling for $6.78 in Hāna two weeks ago, March 19.

“Oil prices rose sharply from March 15 to March 22, which could be a major factor in local price increases,” said Liane Sumida, general manager of AAA Hawaii. “President Biden’s announcement … about the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is unlikely to have a direct impact on Hawaii’s oil supply, but could lower local gas prices if it helps lower oil prices overall.”

AAA Hawaiʻi Fuel Saving Tips:

• If you are using premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle and not just recommended. AAA’s Automotive Research Center determined that vehicles using recommended premium fuel are safe to run on regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service ensures optimum fuel consumption.
• Avoid jackrabbit starts and heavy acceleration. These actions significantly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Higher speeds result in more drag.
• Use cruise control on the highway to keep a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads as you may lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize the use of air conditioning.
• Avoid prolonged idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. This is unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car.
• Minimize the use of roof racks and remove special racks when not in use.