Gas Prices Reverse, Tick Up Slightly; Wailuku $3.13

Wailuku gas prices according to AAA Hawaiʻi. Graphics by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Gas in Wailuku began an upward tick late last week, with gas now listed at $3.13 for a gallon of regular gas, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The updated cost estimate is up 3 cents from the same time last week, and down 24 cents from the same time last month.

Although the state enjoyed declining gas prices since late last year, the new reversal still places current prices at more than a dollar less than what was reported on the same day last year when gas in Wailuku was listed at $4.27.

It’s also far below the record high of $4.98 per gallon recorded in Wailuku on May 9, 2011.

When the reversal began last week, officials with AAA Hawaiʻi said drivers can take some consolation that the Los Angeles daily average remained higher than Wailuku’s average price, “due to annual seasonal refinery maintenance and a recent refinery explosion in Torrance, Calif., which has decreased production there.”

The current Hawaiʻi state average for a gallon of regular is $3.04, one cent more than last week, 6 cents less than last month, and $1.05 a gallon lower than a year ago.

Honolulu’s average gas price today remains under $3 a gallon at $2.96, up one cent since last week, up 1 cent from last month and down $1.05 a gallon from the same date a year ago. In Hilo, the average gas price is $2.98 per gallon, unchanged from last week, 10 cents less than last month and $1 less than this time a year ago.