Gas prices in West Hawaii for the most part remained unchanged this week, an analysis of AAA and GasBuddy.com data shows.
The price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in West Hawaii — excluding the Waikoloa resort area — averaged $3.44 between Monday (March 16) and Friday (March 20), according to a week’s worth of GasBuddy.com data from the Kailua-Kona, Waimea, Kealakekua and Waikoloa areas. That’s down just one penny from last week.
Including the Waikoloa resort area, where prices are higher, motorists this week spent on average $3.49, unchanged from the week prior, according to GasBuddy.com data.
Filling up at Kailua-Kona gas stations, motorists spent slightly less than last week at $3.37 per gallon. That’s up just a dime from when gas prices in Kailua-Kona reached a low of $3.27 in mid-February.
At the Kailua-Kona Costco, where filling up requires a membership, a gallon of gas averaged at $2.98 this week. Between Thursday and Friday, the price dropped four cents to $2.95 per gallon.
Drivers filling up in Waimea paid an average of $3.51 per gallon while the same gallon of gas averaged $3.52 in Waikoloa Village. Filling up in the resort area of Waikoloa resort cost drivers an average of $3.69 per gallon this week. All prices in South Kohala were unchanged from the week prior.
In Kealakekua, motorists doled out $3.36 per gallon this week, down two cents from last week.
Hilo drivers spent $3.10 per gallon for the same gallon of gas, according to GasBuddy.com data. AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report put the average price of gas at $3.11 per gallon during the week, unchanged from the week prior. AAA does not track gas prices for any other area on the Big Island.
The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel held steady at $3.14, according to AAA. One year ago, Hawaii residents were paying $4.18 per gallon.
In Honolulu, a gallon of gas averaged $3.06 per gallon while the Wailuku area of Maui paid $3.21, according to AAA. Both prices were the same as the week before.
Nationwide, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline this week was $2.42, down three pennies from last week. The national average is up from a low of $2.03 on Jan. 26.
California residents this week continued to pay the most for gas at $3.33 per gallon. South Carolina drivers continue to pay the least at the pump this week at $2.13 per gallon.
AAA said earlier in the week that gas prices may continue to drop in the near future because of a steep decline in the cost of crude oil. Crude oil prices declined by more than 10 percent last week due to abundant supplies, a stronger U.S. dollar, and the possibility of even more oil entering the market soon.