Efforts to lower Hawaii gas prices snarl

HONOLULU – More than eight months after Hawaii suspended its first-in-the-nation cap on gas prices, the latest attempt to lower motorists’ bills is stuck in neutral.

Under the law passed in the waning hours of the 2006 legislative session, Hawaii’s two oil refiners are required to periodically disclose the number of gallons sold, the wholesale fuel prices they charge, their operating expenses and their profit margins.


The idea was that lawmakers could come back this year and use the information to make more effective regulations to bring down pump prices for consumers.

Only after the government finds out whether the oil industry is gouging customers will it be able to decide how to bring prices down, said Rep. Hermina Morita, a Democrat.

AP