Hawaii gas prices
Hawaii consistently has some of the highest gas prices in the nation, often second only to California. The reason is straightforward: Hawaii is an isolated island chain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and virtually all of its petroleum must be shipped in by tanker. There is one refinery on Oahu operated by Par Pacific, but the crude oil it processes still has to be imported, and the finished fuel must then be distributed across multiple islands by barge. Every step adds cost.
State and county taxes also contribute. Hawaii's per-gallon gas tax is above the national average, and Honolulu County adds its own surcharge. Beyond taxes, the cost of doing business in Hawaii is generally higher, from real estate for gas stations to labor costs, and those expenses get passed through to the pump price. Competition is also limited compared to mainland states, with fewer stations per capita and less price pressure from discount retailers.
Diesel prices in Hawaii follow the same pattern, running well above the national average. This matters for the state's construction industry, tour operators, and the commercial fleets that keep goods moving between and within the islands. Because Hawaii has no pipeline connections and depends entirely on maritime shipping, any disruption to global shipping routes or Pacific refinery output can push local prices even higher.
Price history
Why is gas so expensive in Hawaii?
Nearly all petroleum must be shipped to Hawaii by ocean tanker, adding significant transportation costs. The state has limited refining capacity, higher-than-average taxes, and elevated operating costs for gas stations due to expensive real estate and labor. These factors combine to keep prices consistently among the highest in the US.
Does Hawaii have its own oil refineries?
Hawaii has one refinery, the Par Pacific facility on Oahu, which processes imported crude oil. However, one refinery cannot fully supply all the islands, so finished fuel products are also imported. Distributing fuel across the island chain by barge adds further cost.
How do Hawaii gas prices compare to the mainland US?
Hawaii typically runs 80 cents to over a dollar above the national average for regular gasoline. The state consistently ranks among the top two or three most expensive states for fuel, alongside California and sometimes Washington.