MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii, March 19- Average retail gasoline prices in Hawaii have risen 6.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.46/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.80/g, according to gasoline price website HawaiiGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Hawaii during the past week, prices yesterday were 35.4 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 23.3 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 28.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 27.9 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“Average retail gasoline prices will likely rise this week, after a surge in wholesale prices late last week,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “Some analysts believe gasoline prices may have peaked, but I am not at all confident in such words. I still maintain that prices will likely not peak until we get closer to the month of May, as a majority of locales around the United States make eventual switch overs to summer spec gasoline,” DeHaan said.

For Big Island gas prices and trends visit — www.hawaii247.com/gas