MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii, March 26- Average retail gasoline prices in Hawaii have risen 6.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.50/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.86/g, according to gasoline price website HawaiiGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Hawaii during the past week, prices yesterday were 29.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 23.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 21.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 29.5 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“The national average has risen twenty one consecutive days, according to our data, a troubling sign. Typically we expect such increases to occur more so in April,” said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. “We’re 31-cents per gallon ahead of our year ago pace, and I’m seriously contemplating revising my January forecasts upward having seen things race higher, faster than expected. If there’s any ounce of good news for motorists, its that such high prices so quickly may mean prices will peak in April rather than May,” DeHaan said.

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