HANAMA‘ULU — A threatening message found scribbled on a wall by King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School’s administrative office Wednesday morning placed the campus among the three recently plagued by bomb hoaxes.
The threat represents the fifth to be found at a Kaua‘i school since Feb. 17, and the first elementary to be involved.
“We need to put an end to this,” said Complex Superintendent Bill Arakaki. “I’m concerned that it’s impacting all levels high school, middle and elementary.”
The county plans to hold a brief news conference this morning at the Mayor’s Office to announce a reward that is being offered in the bomb threat cases.
The superintendent said a student reported the graffiti at about 7 a.m. and school was closed for the day soon thereafter.
“The Department of Education’s top priority is the health and safety of the students so we’re sending the kids home for today. The bomb threat assessments are being done to make sure the campus is safe,” Arakaki said at the school.
A written letter about the situation will be sent home with the students when they return to class today, Arakaki said.
About 150 students, who were already on campus when the threat was discovered, went with school staff and teachers to an evacuation site at the end of Peter Rayno Park. Attempts to reach families of students making their way to school was done through the radio stations, Arakaki said.
“Since the first bomb threat on Feb. 17, all of the schools have been alerted and asked to be diligent,” Arakaki said. “We want the students to know that this is a serious offense. The schools have been reviewing their respective emergency and evacuation plans and are working with their students.”
Initially, the school did not plan to close, but as the Kaua‘i Police Department assessment of the threat neared the start of school, officials chose to close and parents were asked to pick up their children.
Police closed off Hanama‘ulu Road at the Kuhio Highway junction leading to the school, and other officers kept the area heading to the school’s parking lot clear of traffic. According to county spokeswoman Sarah Blane, 26 officers assisted at the scene.
A bus driver stood by idly outside the fence of Peter Rayno Park.
“Right now, we’re waiting to see how many students will need to be bussed home after the parents get through picking up their kids,” he said. “Some of the parents are working and can’t get off to come get their kids, so for now, I’m on standby.”
Arakaki said the investigation of the first bomb threat, Feb. 17 at Kaua‘i High School, is still continuing. He underscored that the perpetrators could face serious consequences.
“These people, if they are students, not only face the law, but the DOE as well,” Arakaki said. “They can be suspended from school.”
He later noted that there are no suspects for the elementary school threat.
Call Detective Bernard Purisima at 241-1682, Police Dispatch at 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887 to provide additional information related to the threats.
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@ thegardenisland.com.
