Pickpocketed At the Pump

Way back in August, I commented that the imposed price ceilings of Hawaii gas would actually cause the retail price to rise (because the law only pertains to wholesale gas prices). After checking data at Hawaiigasprices.com, it appears my logic was sound.



Note that before the law came into effect on September 1, Hawaii gas prices were about 38-57 cents higher than the US average. After September 1, prices were about 57-78 cents higher. (Note the two expections shortly after Katrina, where the difference goes from 95 cents to 38 cents.)