Gas reacher $ 4 a gallon in Kona ( Hawaii )

West Hawaii Today ^ | 4/19/08 | Danie Brock

[sushiman]

Dixson 76 clerk Dot Van Winkle is a little uncomfortable with the recent spike in gas prices.

It's not that she has a problem with paying more than $4 a gallon for fuel. At this point, she's more concerned about her personal safety.

"I feel like Vanna White every time I get up there to change the (gas price) numbers," said Van Winkle, who posted $4.01 on Dixson's sign at the corner of Hualalai Road and Kuakini Highway on Wednesday. "I'm waiting for somebody to shoot me."

advertisementVan Winkle's comments may be hyperbolic, but Hawaii's already high gas prices rose again over the past week with the state setting a new record at $3.74 a gallon, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch.

And while residents and tourists alike in Kona -- where gas is nearly 30 cents more than on the east side of the island -- likely won't resort to bodily harm on gas station attendants in the immediate future, everyone's wallets have been receiving a beat down.

Many drivers in the area, however, seem resigned to the fact that expensive trips to the pump are here to stay.

"It sucks, but I can't do anything," Big Island native Annette Alameida said. "My (Toyota) Tundra stays at home, and my (Chevrolet) Beretta goes to work."

Prices are up around the state, with AAA reporting that Hilo is averaging $3.72 a gallon, up 2 cents from last week; Honolulu is averaging $3.64 a gallon, up 5 cents since last week; and Wailuklu on Maui is averaging a state-high $4.09 a gallon, up 9 cents since last week.

As he gassed up his wife's Mercedes Friday afternoon at Dixson's, Big Island resident Mike Henninger said he felt bad for people who are forced to work multiple jobs to keep up with the island's demanding price of living.

"I have empathy for people who drive a great deal and work two or three jobs, and there are a lot of people who have to do that on this island," Henninger said.

Matt Beales, who lives in Buffalo, N.Y., and is in town for the week offered a blunt perspective on prices Friday.

"Whatever. What are you going to do," Beales said. "Gas is expensive everywhere."

[sushiman]

I was just here ( Kona ) on vacation and loved it . They had to drag me to Kona Airport the day we left . Gas high - but still cheaper than where I be - Japan - where it's more like $ 6 a gallon .

[RightWhale]

Hawaii imposed a gasoline price cap. Whatever happened to that?

[proxy_user]

How big is Hawaii? Isn’t there a limit as to how far you can drive?

[2harddrive]

It’s hard to believe, but I drove screaming down the Interstate Highway system in Hawaii, on Oahu. (The bridge part is a killer, though - LOL.)

[alexander_busek]

How big is Hawaii? Isn’t there a limit as to how far you can drive? But you can drive around the island again and again and again...

[Libertarian4Bush]

"It sucks, but I can't do anything," Big Island native Annette Alameida said. "My (Toyota) Tundra stays at home, and my (Chevrolet) Beretta goes to work."

yeah, we're in such an awful recession that you can afford to own two cars.

anyone in Obama's campaign wanna push my hyundai a mile for $4? maybe $10? no? then shut up about high gas prices. please.

[Always Right]

I paid well over $5 in Hana a few years back, so I am not sure what is so big about $4 gas in Hawaii.

[politicalwit]

Let’s see....$4.00 for a gallon of gas or $4.00 for a 12 oz cup of Kona coffee. The choice is yours.

[politicalwit]

BTW...based on weight that’s $0.53/lb for gasoline or $34.29/lb for Kona Coffee

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/GasStations.aspx?m=1&l=1&zip=77340&x=15&y=11

check your gas prices in your zip code.

[Gaffer]

I guess we know we’re in deep shit when the price of a gallon of gas equals the price of a Starbucks coffee......let’s call it the “Starbucks Equivalency Principle” - the point of no return....

[Recovering_Democrat]

Hawaii: the state with price controls on gasoline.

[Island Girl]

They repealed those price controls. Everyone with a half a brain could see they were doing more harm than good. But everything in Hawaii will always cost more - the Price of Paradise....

Sushiman - glad you had a great vacation. The Big Island is my favorite place on earth!

[Recovering_Democrat]

Thanks for the info; I wasn’t aware of the price control repeals. :)

Did it have anything to do w/your newest (R) governor? How is she working out?

[thackney]

It ended less than a year later.

http://starbulletin.com/2006/04/29/news/story01.html

[sushiman]

” Sushiman - glad you had a great vacation. The Big Island is my favorite place on earth! “

Can’t wait to return !

And that’s despite the ongoing VOG crisis .

Aloha !