Maui drivers felt a little extra sting at the pump this week, as the average price for a gallon of regular in Kahului ticked up five cents to $5.49. Statewide, Hawaiʻi’s average actually slid by three cents to $5.43 per gallon, yet it still holds the dubious honor of being the most expensive gas market in the country. The result is a stubborn gap that keeps island drivers paying far more than their mainland counterparts, even while national prices are also climbing.
Island-by-island snapshot
As reported by Maui Now, which cited AAA Hawaiʻi’s Weekend Gas Watch, Honolulu averaged $5.38 per gallon, down four cents from the previous week. Hilo averaged $5.51, also down four cents, and Līhuʻe came in highest at $5.79, down four cents as well. Maui Now notes that Kahului’s $5.49 price is about $1 higher than at this time last year, and AAA Hawaiʻi identified $5.67 on April 19 as this season’s peak. The small week-to-week shifts show how each island moves on its own rhythm, even as the overall statewide average inches lower.
Global oil risks still matter
The national average rose 10 cents to $3.94, according to the AAA Newsroom, which pointed to tensions in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz as factors pushing crude prices higher. Those global jitters tend to ripple straight into Hawaiʻi, where the state imports refined petroleum and absorbs additional freight and handling costs that magnify price moves at the pump, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
What AAA recommends
“While Hawaii drivers are getting a little relief at the pump this week, they continue to pay the highest gas prices in the nation,” AAA Hawaiʻi spokesperson Kandace Redd said in remarks reported by Maui Now. AAA is urging motorists to plan trips carefully, combine errands and use fuel-efficient driving habits to squeeze more miles out of each tank. The group also points drivers to AAA’s own tools, along with other price-tracking apps, as the quickest way to hunt down the cheapest nearby stations.
Long-term context
Local research groups caution that Hawaiʻi’s higher prices are not just a temporary spike. UHERO explains that shipping costs, fuel contract terms and the state’s relatively small market all work together to create a built-in premium for fuel in the islands. That means even modest increases in national benchmarks can translate into noticeable pain at Hawaiʻi pumps. For now, drivers can expect continued week-to-week volatility as global crude markets collide with local logistics.
