Gas prices continue rise, now above $4 a gallon in Honolulu
The average price of a gallon of gas in Honolulu is back over $4 a gallon, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.
Neighbor island gas prices have been over $4 a gallon for a while. The average price of regular gas is about $4.31 in Hilo, about the same as Thursday, 4 cents higher than last week and 11 cents higher than last month. In Wailuku, gas averages $4.41 a gallon, relatively unchanged from Thursday, 2 cents higher than last week and 3 cents higher than last month.
The statewide average is $4.15 a gallon, the highest in the nation. Hawaii is the only state with gas prices over $4 a gallon.
On the mainland, regular unleaded gasoline is already at the highest ever for this time of year, reflecting surging energy demand in other parts of the world like China. A gallon of gas cost an average of $3.467 — 17.9 cents more than a month ago and 35.1 cents more than a year ago, according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service.
Prices are expected to rise in coming months as the economy improves and as refineries crank up production of more expensive warm-weather gasoline blends. Analysts say prices could reach $4 per gallon on the mainland by the spring.
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The Associated Press contributed to this story.