MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii, December 31- Average retail gasoline prices in Hawaii have risen 2.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.96/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 355 gas outlets in Hawaii. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.27/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Hawaii during the past week, prices yesterday were 0.8 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 5.3 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 13.2 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 1.7 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“2012 was a year that focused the spotlight on our nation’s oil refineries; it showed us the vulnerability of our infrastructure and what can happen to prices at the pump when infrastructure is compromised. We began the year with a BP refinery fire in Cherry Point, WA that caused massive spikes on the west coast. The spring delivered challenges for Great Lakes refineries and pushed Chicago gas prices to a record high. Similarly, the California summer saw major refinery outages there and new record high prices,” said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst.

“Hurricane Sandy delivered a punishing blow to the East Coast causing refinery shutdowns, flooding and power outages. The resulting fuel shortage triggered mile-long lines for gas. NY gasoline spiked to a price level exceeding Honolulu and Anchorage as the highest in the U.S. GasBuddy is proud to have been called in by NY officials to provide counsel and data identifying the most current retail gasoline price updates and trends throughout the NY metro area,” said Gregg Laskoski, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst.

With elevated prices across much of the country for prolonged periods, 2012 brought the highest average price ever for U.S. consumers: $3.60 per gallon. For a closer look at the GasBuddy Year in Review, please visit http://www.scribd.com/GasBuddy or view the document directly: http://www.scribd.com/doc/117521912/GasBuddyYIR

For Big Island gas prices and trends visit — www.hawaii247.com/gas