While police acknowledge the similarities in the two cases, they said they have not concluded whether the same assailant was involved. No arrests have been made in either case.

Attacks against women older than 60 are rare, averaging about one or two a year, according to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center.

In the latest case, a 72-year-old woman told police that an unknown man entered her apartment, pulled a knife and began to sexually assault her.

The woman struggled with the assailant, who then ran from the apartment, said police, who declined to say how the man had gained entry into the apartment. Police have classified the case as a first-degree burglary and fourth-degree sexual assault.

Earlier this week, an 85-year-old Kaimuki woman told police that a stranger held her at knifepoint early Saturday morning after breaking into her apartment.

She told police she was sleeping at about 3 a.m. when a stranger got into her apartment on Old Wai'alae Road, pulled a knife on her and sexually assaulted her.

Police did not release street addresses of where the attacks occurred, citing concerns for victims' safety.

Detective Letha DeCaires of the Police Department's Crime-Stoppers program said all Honolulu residents — young or old — can take steps to help guard against home break-ins that could lead to sexual assaults or other crimes.

"First of all, make sure you have good, sturdy doors, that all of the locks are in working order and that the doors are locked," DeCaires said.

"Second, if you have louvers next to your front door ... , make sure the individual glass panels cannot be removed — permanently glue them in place or double-clip them. Try to make sure they can't be removed except by breaking them. Breaking the panels creates noise — and noise discourages would-be burglars."

A "full spectrum" of other home security options is available — from motion-sensing lights outside your home, to private alarm companies that will monitor an electronic warning system 24 hours a day to guard against break-ins, she said.

"But if you do find yourself being sexually assaulted, there are several important things to remember.

"The first is to try to do whatever it takes to survive. Second, try to keep your wits about you and look for avenues of escape."

Victims also should try to remember as much as they can about the attacker and should report the attack immediately, she said.

Once a report is made, police "can provide the necessary services to take care of your safety, to take care of your physical needs and to make sure you get the emotional support you need."