HONOLULU -- With gas prices in the state at an all-time high, Hawaii's attorney general is calling for a major investigation into the petroleum industry. He said he wants to see if the sharp rise in fuel costs is legitimate.

"We believe it's important that we, as regulators, get to the bottom of these extraordinary price increases," Attorney General Mark Bennett said.

Bennett said that while Hurricanes Katrina and Rita triggered higher energy prices across the country, he wants to look into how high prices should be. Bennett is teaming up with Oregon's attorney general to look into possible unlawful conduct by the petroleum industry.

"As attorneys general, we are very concerned about the high price of gasoline. We are very concerned about the possibility of market manipulation and illegal conduct," Bennett said.

The two attorneys general are pitching the investigation idea to the Federal Trade Commission. They are also offering to help assist in the case. The FTC enforces anti-trust and consumer protection laws related to the gasoline industry. Bennett said he has worked with the FTC in the past on cases that threaten consumers and the integrity of the marketplace.

"We are very optimistic the FTC will agree to conduct a full investigation," he said.

Bennett also said he would like to see an investigation undertaken as quickly as possible. So, if there is money to be recovered, it can be done sooner than later.

"If evidence uncovered that indicates illegal conduct resulted in overcharges to service stations or consumers there are ways of recovering that."

Bennett just sent his request for the investigation to the FTC on Wednesday. It may take a couple of weeks to hear whether a case will be opened.