Hawaii drivers could have saved 10 cents per gallon

In the month since the state’s wholesale gasoline price cap law was suspended, Gloria Snyder hasn’t noticed much change in the price of gas.

“I think it’s still about the same — gas prices are still high,” the 61-year-old Aliamanu resident said as she recently put $52 worth of midgrade gas into her Isuzu sport utility vehicle at Lex Brodie’s in Kakaako.

Just as when the price caps were in effect, the debate on whether they helped or hurt Hawaii consumers continues now that the regulations have been suspended.

Without a mechanism to force prices down, it remains to be seen whether island pump prices will retreat on their own.

A Star-Bulletin analysis indicates that Hawaii motorists could have saved an average of 10 cents a gallon on regular gasoline in the past month if the state’s wholesale gasoline price cap law had remained in place.

Honolulu Star-Bulletin