Big Island Fuel Prices Continue to Inch Down

Fuel prices have continued to inch down over the past week on the Big Island.

On Tuesday, the average cost of regular fuel in Hilo dropped by one cent from last week to $3.26. Tuesday’s price didn’t change from AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report’s Monday average. Mid-grade fuel also saw a one-cent decline compared to last week, but maintained the average that it held the day prior. Hilo’s average for mid-grade fuel was $3.36. Premium gas also saw a one-cent decrease in average, compared to one week ago, to $3.47

Analysis of AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report conducted by Big Island Now shows that Hilo’s regular fuel average has dropped by eight cents when compared to one month ago, showing a continued downward trend in fuel costs on the Big Island. Mid-grade gas saw a six cent decrease in average, while premium gasoline dropped by three cents in its average over the past month.

One year ago, regular fuel prices in Hilo were nearly double the current average. AAA reports that during the same time period in 2014, average gas prices for regular fuel were $4.15, while mid-grade was an average of $4.18 and premium fuel cost $4.31.

Kona fuel prices have once again seen a slight drop over the past week. Big Island Now calculated averages based on Gas Buddy data, showing that regular fuel in Kona averaged about $3.43, down from $3.44 last week and $3.48 two weeks ago. Mid-grade fuel was an average of $3.65 on Tuesday, an exact match to what was reported last week, and was two cents cheaper than the week prior. Premium fuel averaged $3.62, a drop in average by four cents after seeing no drop last week.

Average gas prices in Honolulu Tuesday for regular fuel was nine cents cheaper than in Hilo and 28 cents less than in Kona. Motorists on Oahu are paying an average of $3.15 for regular fuel, a decrease of six cents compared to one week ago.

Diesel prices in Hilo are an average of $4.14 this week, a slight increase from last week when diesel prices were $4.11. Honolulu diesel buyers are paying an average of $4.50, a penny less than last week.