The average price of a gallon of gasoline in Hawai'i rose slightly this week, the first statewide increase in 16 weeks, AAA Hawaii reported today.

A gallon of regular averaged $2.30, up 3 cents a gallon from the previous week, the AAA said in its Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch. The average price last week was unchanged after 14 straight weeks of declines.

In Honolulu, the average price was $2.25 a gallon, up 2 cents from last week. The Honolulu average was down 8 cents from a month ago and $1.11 lower than a year ago.

In Hilo, the average price was $2.44 a gallon, unchanged from a week ago. It was 4 cents lower than a month ago and 98 cents below what it was a year ago.

The average price in Wailuku of $2.45 a gallon was 5 cents higher than last week. It was 33 cents lower than a month ago and $1.39 lower than last year.

"With the volatility in oil prices it's difficult to say whether or not we've seen the bottom end of this price cycle," said Richard Velazquez, AAA Hawaii regional manager. "Currently, only Alaska has a higher average price for gasoline."