Maui drivers watch gas prices reach $4 (and California)

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WAILUKU, Hawaii - "Maui No Kai Oi" is a popular Hawaiian saying that means Maui is the best. Mike Sweeney recently moved to this idyllic island from Denver and was hit with the other side of living in paradise with his first visit to the gas pump: Maui is also No. 1 in gas prices.

"After seeing the total, I won't be smiling," Sweeney said as he watched the numbers on the Chevron pump spin faster than a slot machine. The pump finally stopped at $97.20, which put 24.5 gallons in his Chevrolet Avalanche.

He was elated about living on Maui and being reunited with his black, super-size pickup truck, which just arrived from Colorado, but he wasn't so thrilled about paying nearly $4 for a gallon of regular.

While the price of oil climbs above $110 a barrel, most Americans dread the day they will have to pay $4. On this tropical island and a few stations in California, $4 gas has already arrived, straining the pocketbooks of residents and businesses.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080314/ap_on_bi_ge/four_dollar_gas

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Reporter last week: "...with gas prices expected to reach $4..." Bush interrupting in smarmy disbelief as if was impossible: "Where'd you hear that?"

[TomInTib]

1. "Where'd you hear that?"

Right at the pump, FuckFace, that's where.

I volunteered to fill a tank on a friend's vehicle the other day (I have not driven in years).

Almost passed out.

Damn, how can people afford that business?

Tom

[Vinca]

2. On a positive note, when you lose your home because of high

gas, food and health costs, can you think of a better place to be homeless? Kidding, of course. I couldn't believe it cost over $30 to fill up my little Toyota the other day. In New England we're also faced with heating oil prices that are beyond belief. Fortunately, we bought a pellet stove a few years ago and it heats our house. We still have an oil-fired hot water heater, though, and it's foolishly expensive. If we get through this winter with no one dying from hypothermia, it will be nothing short of a miracle.

[sarcasmo]

3. That's what he gets for buying a Chevy Avalanche, kick and Nom.

You can't complain if you own a gas guzzler.

[Cambist]

4. Sure you can.

Who are we to judge why he has that car without any details? He may need it for landscaping or some other business. My point is, until we can get access to clean transportation, it is hard not to burn so much gas.

[progressoid]

5. Odds are, it's not for landscaping or some other business.

Most of the people driving large pick ups and SUVs don't need them for anything but hauling their asses and egos.