Hawaiçi imports of foreign oil rose 6.7 percent during the first quarter when compared to last year, with double digit percentage increases occurring in February and March.

That’s among the information in the latest Energy Trend report released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which also indicates people are starting to drive more again. State gasoline tax revenues rose 7.5 percent during the January-to-March quarter compared to a year earlier.
The state figures show 10.94 million barrels of foreign crude oil were imported to the state during the first quarter. That compared to 10.26 barrels a year earlier.
The increase comes as state government looks for ways to increase use of renewable energy. Gov. Linda Lingle’s administration wants to lower consumption of foreign oil, which now accounts for about 90 percent of Hawaiçi’s energy needs.
The report also detailed an 8.4 percent decline in the amount of electricity sold during the quarter.