Soaring gas prices have prompted many Hawai'i drivers to change their habits, from reducing their miles on the road and consolidating trips to cutting back on eating out, according to a survey released yesterday by AAA Hawaii.

"There is no doubt that gas prices are having a big impact on many local drivers," said Richard Velazquez, AAA Hawaii regional manager. "Drivers are changing how they drive and how often because of the relentless upward swing in gas prices."

About two-thirds of AAA Hawaii members are combining errands and nearly half of them have significantly reduced how much they drive, the survey said.

The survey, which polled 372 AAA Hawai'i members via e-mail from April 24 through 30, found that drivers have also been taking other actions in response to higher gas prices.

About 31 percent regularly check tires for proper inflation, while 29 percent reduce their average driving speed, according to the poll. About a quarter of those polled cut back on eating out or entertainment, 21 percent opt more often to drive the household vehicle that's more fuel-efficient, and 16 percent catch the bus, bike or walk.

About 10 percent canceled planned vacations, with smaller percentages of members carpooling, telecommuting or buying a car with better gas mileage.

About 17 percent of members polled said they had not made any changes because of higher gasoline costs.

The poll found that those with annual incomes of less than $50,000 were the most likely to change their habits in response to higher gas prices, including driving less, using transit or carpools, and cutting back on eating out and entertainment.

But gas prices have also put a crimp in the budgets of those with higher incomes as well.

Jeff Crabtree, a 54-year-old attorney from Manoa, said he and his wife rack up most of their mileage driving their two children to various sports activities around the island. Finding it difficult to cut back on driving, the family has cut back in other areas.

"We don't go out to eat as often as we used to," he said. "The family budget only goes so far, and you gotta use gas but you don't have to go out to eat at a nice restaurant."

Crabtree said he and his wife also cut back in other areas, like canceling their fitness club membership. With one of their cars nearing the end of its usable life, they're looking into more fuel efficient vehicles, like hybrids.

The average price of regular gasoline in Honolulu yesterday was $3.979, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Tina Poto, a 29-year-old accountant from Kapolei, traded in a sport utility vehicle with a V8 engine for one with a V6 engine about a month ago and consolidates her errands.

She said if gas costs continue to go up, she will probably have to start carpooling or catching the bus.

Poto said many of her co-workers have started riding motorcycles or bikes to work.

Del Tanaka, a 59-year-old mortgage banker from Kailua, said he and his wife carpool as much as possible and consolidate trips to save money on gasoline.

"Instead of going to the supermarket two, three times a week, we go once a week instead," he said.

"I think these days people are making a conscious decision: 'Do I really need to make this trip?' " he said.