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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, December 13, 2008

Gas prices fall statewide, with Costco's under $2

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i gasoline prices fell for an 11th consecutive week, with prices breaking the $2 level at Costco Wholesale stations on O'ahu.

The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report said statewide gasoline prices declined to an average of $2.489 a gallon for regular, 13 cents less than the week before.

Gasoline prices have been plummeting as crude oil prices fall from a high reached in July. While lower than they were three months ago, Hawai'i's average prices are the second-highest in the nation, behind Alaska. Those are the only two states where prices remain above $2 a gallon. The national average was $1.656.

Costco has been the low-pricing leader in Honolulu, and this week went below $2 a gallon. The retailer in part is able to reduce prices faster than smaller service stations because it receives frequent shipments of fuel. Smaller dealers sometimes must wait a week or so to sell out gasoline bought at higher prices before reducing prices because they've received a lower-priced tank load.

Costco and other large gasoline users such as the military also generally pay a discounted wholesale price based on long-term contracts.

The statewide average is down from $3.453 a year earlier.

The AAA also reported that:

  • Honolulu's average fell to $2.386 from $3.339 a year ago.

  • Hilo's price was down to $2.522 from $3.401.

  • Wailuku's average declined to $2.861 from $3.784.

    The price report is collected from fleet vehicle credit-card transactions and represents the combined averages of the last card swipe of Thursday. AAA does not survey Kaua'i prices.