Honolulu Star Bulletin: Hawaii’s use of renewable energy rose by 9.8 percent last year, putting the state on track to become more energy efficient as local residents pay among the highest energy costs in the nation, according to a new report. The latest statistics, released yesterday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, show that the state’s primary energy consumption in 2006 dropped 1.8 percent compared to 2005, while petroleum use fell 2.7 percent during the …