The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose 2 cents in the first week of the new year to $3.32, according to weekly figures released today by AAA Hawaii.

Honolulu’s average was $3.23, an increase of 3 cents from last week, 2 cents lower than last month, and $1.01 higher than this time last year.
Hilo’s average was $3.32, a penny more than last week, a nickel more than last month, and 90 cents more than this time last year.
Wailuku’s average was $3.68, a penny more than last week, 7 cents less than last month, and $1.26 more than this time last year.
Chris Olvera, AAA Hawaii’s acting branch manager, said high oil prices are to blame.
“The cold snap over much of the U.S. has convinced some investors that heating oil demand will spike, which helps to push other oil-related prices higher,” Olvera said in a statement.