An 18-year-old woman was attacked early yesterday in her University of Hawai'i-Manoa dormitory room, the second reported break-in at Hale Aloha Mokihana in as many days.

UH Campus Security issued an e-mail alert to all UH-Manoa students, staff and faculty advising them to report any suspicious people or activity, and to take necessary precautions to secure their dorm rooms.

The woman in yesterday's attack told officials she awoke to find an intruder in her room. The assailant pushed a pair of scissors against her face causing a small cut near her lip, grabbed her and pushed her back onto the bed, a UH statement said.

The victim screamed and fought back, scaring off her attacker.

The incident was reported to campus security and Honolulu police at 5:50 a.m.

UH spokesman Gregg Takayama said the possibility a burglary escalated into physical force was of particular concern.

"We're stepping up security in the dorms," Takayama said.

The woman's wallet was taken in yesterday's burglary, which occurred on the female-only 10th floor of the dorm.

The attacker is at large, according to police.

Honolulu police are investigating the case as a first-degree burglary and third-degree sex assault.

Saturday's burglary occurred between 2 and 5 a.m. but involved no confrontation, UH officials said.

Any suspicious activity should be reported to UH Campus Security at 956-6911 while anyone with information on today's attack or yesterday's burglary can call Honolulu CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.