Police arrested a 23-year-old man last night after he allegedly hurled a knife at his girlfriend, assaulted her and held the knife to her throat.

The argument in the couple's Waikalani Drive home escalated at about 9:15 p.m., police said, when the suspect allegedly threw the steak knife, punched the 20-year-old victim in the face and then retrieved the knife and held it to her throat.

The suspect allegedly let the victim go and fled.

Big Island destroys marijuana plants

Big Island police destroyed 14,425 marijuana plants ranging in height from seedlings to six feet during a five-day eradication effort that ended Friday.

The eradication effort concentrated in the Puna, Hilo and North Hilo areas.

A Puna woman suspected of growing more than 900 of the plants has been arrested and is being held in the Hilo police cellblock pending charges.

Lt. Henry Tavares, head of the Hilo Vice Section, said police hope to press federal charges against the suspect because of the size of the marijuana operation.

Tavares also noted that the number of plants found during the current eradication operation represents a "significant increase" over what was found in previous efforts. In May, for example, a three-day eradication project yielded only 2,973 plants, police said.

He attributed the increase partly to the fact that the growing season has progressed and the taller plants are easier to spot.

Assaults suspect appears in court

A 23-year-old Nanakuli man made his first court appearance today on multiple sexual assault charges in a case involving a 14-year-old girl.

Joseph F. K. T. Paaoao, 23, was arrested Saturday and charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of third-degree sexual assault. The assaults allegedly occurred between December and March at Wai'anae Coast beaches, police said.

He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.