WAILUKU>> A woman has shown signs of emerging from a coma on the Big Island, while a man remains unconscious on Oahu from a parasitic disease sometimes associated with eating home-grown produce.

WAILUKU>> Hawaii Superferry officials said, contrary to a report from a passenger, the vessel did not strike a whale en route to Maui yesterday morning.

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 yesterday.

For the first time in 15 weeks, gasoline prices rose slightly in some areas of the islands, according to AAA .

WAILUKU A rare ailment that comes from eating poorly washed local produce has hit three Big Island residents in recent weeks, causing extreme pain and hospitalization.

For the 14th straight week, gasoline prices fell again throughout Hawaii, according to AAA .

WAILUKU>> Some 400 blue-collar workers in Maui County will be subject to drug and alcohol testing at random as well as for cause under a labor agreement signed with the United Public Workers union.

Hawaii’s average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline fell 58 cents from last month and $1.06 from a year ago to $2.40 yesterday, according to AAA .

Natural food store Down to Earth will be recognized in the upcoming issue of the national magazine Vegetarian Times this January.

Hawaia i Superferry, the fate of Makena, vacation rentals, GPAC: Part one of a two-part series of important stories covered by the Maui Weekly.