MEDIA RELEASE

High gas prices continue to play a big role in the budgets of Hawaii residents, as slightly fewer people than last year plan on spring break trips, according to the fourth annual AAA Hawaii Spring Break Travel Poll.

Sixty-four percent of polled AAA Hawaii members indicated they had made at least one significant concession in their budget because of high gas prices, compared to 66 percent in 2012 and 59 percent in 2011.

And 35 percent of polled AAA Hawaii members will take at least one spring break vacation this year, compared to 39 percent in 2012 and 46 percent in 2011.

Among Hawaii residents who are traveling this spring, more are planning multiple trips than in 2012. Last year, 19 percent of those traveling planned to take two or more spring break trips, while this year, 28 percent will take multiple March and April trips, with 9 percent planning to take three or more trips.

“Gas prices have made some travel options more expensive but there are still some great last-minute values available with hotels, cruises and tours,” said Liane Sumida, AAA Hawaii general manager. “Pleasant Holidays and Disney Cruises, for example, still have availability on both March and April packages.”

Among the AAA Hawaii members surveyed, those between the ages of 36 and 49 were the most likely to say their budgets are hurting from high gas prices (69 percent compared to 64 percent for all ages).

Members in that age group also were the least likely to travel of any age group, with 72 percent of them not planning any spring break trips, compared to 65 percent for all ages.

The most common ways that AAA Hawaii members are dealing with high gas prices include:

* Cutting back on unnecessary driving (59 percent)

* Spending less money eating out at restaurants (37 percent)

* Using a member discount program (34 percent)

* Spending less money on entertainment (34 percent)

* Looking for discounts and specials on entertainment and travel (29 percent)

* Putting less money into savings (29 percent)

* Not taking a spring break trip (19 percent)

* Spending less money on spring leisure trips (15 percent)

* Buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle in the last three years (14 percent)

The 2013 AAA Hawaii Spring Break poll was conducted from Feb. 25 to Feb. 28 and surveyed 685 AAA Hawaii members. It has a margin of error of +/-3.7 percent.

Sumida advised those who will be traveling over spring break to budget for gasoline by using AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator at www.FuelCostCalculator.AAA.com