April 15, 2011
Star Advertiser
Hawaii's average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline hit a nation-leading $4.46 on Thursday, 28 cents higher than second-place California.
The state's average on Thursday was 12 cents higher than a week ago, 44 cents more than a month ago and 91 cents more than last year, according to AAA data.
It is just 5 cents below the all-time record of $4.51 set on July 31, 2008.
The most expensive gas in Hawaii was on the island of Maui, where the average price was $4.77, down a penny after hitting a record of $4.78 on Wednesday. The previous Wailuku record was $4.75 in August 2008.
The average price for a gallon of regular in Honolulu was $4.36, just five cents below the record high for Honolulu of $4.39 set on July 29, 2008
As most states brace for gas to climb to $4, Hawaii was the first to reach that mark a month ago. Now three other states share that distinction: Alaska, California and Illinois.
The national average reached $3.81 Thursday. Wyoming was the cheapest in the country at $3.53.
"There's no doubt that across the country the pain is being felt, but more acutely in Hawaii," said Marie Montgomery, spokeswoman for Automobile Club of Southern California, which covers Hawaii. Read More
