An Oct. 16 court hearing has been set on a motion seeking an immediate pay increase for Hawai'i public school substitute teachers.

A group representing the teachers wants the court to order the payments, which the substitutes say were mandated by the Legislature.

"Once again, the DOE is denying substitute teachers the pay they are entitled to by law," said attorney Paul Alston, who filed the suit on behalf of the substitute teachers.

In August, the substitutes filed the lawsuit seeking that the Department of Education pay the same pay raise to substitutes that regular teachers were given under a new union contract.

USDA ADDS $2M FOR DITCH REPAIR

HILO, Hawai'i — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved $2 million in Rural Development funds to help repair the Kohala Irrigation Ditch, which was severely damaged by the Oct. 15, 2006 earthquake.

Damage to the 22.5-mile irrigation system left about 500 residents without a reliable water supply.

The damage has caused a near-crisis for many local agricultural businesses and put one visitor attraction out of business.

The ditch system includes two miles of tunnels and numerous flumes over deep gulches, and has served the North Kohala community's water needs for the last 100 years.

In addition to the federal money, the state and county will contribute $500,000 each, Kamehameha Schools will provide $292,000, and $200,000 will come from private investment.

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER

HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police have charged a 26-year-old Ka'u man with attempted murder for allegedly attacking his former girlfriend at a remote beach Saturday night.

Kona Juvenile Aid detectives charged John Appleby with attempted second-degree murder, kidnapping, second-degree assault and two counts of first-degree sexual assault. He was charged at 11:40 a.m. yesterday.

The woman told police she was struck with a rock, held against her will, sexually assaulted and nearly drowned by Appleby on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Appleby was being held in the Kona police cellblock in lieu of $250,000 bail pending an initial court appearance.

TONGANS TO REPAY FAVOR WITH MUSIC

An afternoon of Tongan entertainment and music will take place from noon to 3 p.m. today at Mililani Shopping Center's Center Stage in appreciation for books donated to the Tongan people by the Friends of Mililani Library.

Dancers and musicians have traveled from the village of Fautumu, which was the first village to receive books gathered by Joseph Mataele, with the Tongan Visitor's Bureau. Mataele said the group will perform authentic and cultural entertainment.

The group will also conduct a kava ceremony in which the public can participate.

To donate books or money, call Mataele at 723-9593.