Honolulu also hit a new high, averaging over $2.002 a gallon, as did Wailuku, Maui, at $2.349 a gallon.

The statewide average reflected a sharp increase — up 2.2 cents from yesterday.

Gasoline prices in Hawai'i and nationwide are continuing to climb this week amid concerns about low supplies during the high-demand summer travel season.

California is also feeling the pinch, with the statewide average rising 3.2 cents to $2.054 a gallon today.

Drivers in several California markets including Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego and San Francisco were paying more at the pump today than those in Honolulu, according to AAA.

But Hawai'i remains the most expensive state in the AAA survey.

Prices have risen with increased demand at the end of the busy driving season. At the same time, the electricity blackout last week led to the shutdown of seven North American refineries.

Other unexpected refinery shutdowns on the West Coast and a rupture in a pipeline in Arizona also contributed to reduced supply.

Drivers shouldn’t expect relief from higher prices anytime soon. AAA expects 33.4 million Americans to hit the road during

Labor Day weekend, up 1.8 percent from last year, and that will keep gasoline demand high.

"I don’t see any major retreats in energy prices over the next few months," said Stephen Brown, head of energy economics at the Dallas Federal Reserve.