The FBI and the Maui Police Department are investigating who built and planted improvised explosive devices in the Kahului and Pukalani areas of Maui, according to a joint statement Thursday from the FBI’s Honolulu Division and MPD.
“Several devices have been recovered in the Kahului and Pukalani areas,” the FBI and MPD said. “The IEDs may look like small, makeshift baskets, but their appearances may vary. While no injuries have been reported, the FBI and MPD are seeking the public’s help in reporting any suspicious activity that could present a threat to public safety, such as someone leaving an object unattended in a public space.”
Information about where the devices were found, how many were recovered and when they were reported to MPD and the FBI was not released by the FBI or MPD. It is not immediately clear whether any threats were made about the IEDs.
“The FBI continues to solicit the public’s help in providing any information that could lead us to identifying those responsible for placing these IEDs,” said Steven Merrill, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Honolulu Division. “We want to remind the public that any detail — no matter how small — could be useful, and report any tips to tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324). The FBI and MPD remain committed in ensuring the safety of our community and its ohana.”
Maui police and the FBI are urging people on Maui to “remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities” that could threaten public safety.
If anything on the road looks “suspicious” or appears out of place, “do not touch, drive over, or go near it for any reason.”
“If possible, keep others away from the area and call 911 immediately,” read the statement.
It is not immediately clear whether the incident is connected to an IED found near the fence of Kahului Elementary School on July 23. On that Tuesday morning, Maui police responded to a “suspicious item” and found what appeared to be an IED.
The device was found near the intersection of Lono and Hina avenues in Kahului, on the shoulder of the road, near the fence line of Kahului Elementary School, according to MPD.
Responding officers closed the roads, evacuated residents and told those who could not leave to shelter in place. No kids were in school, and the staff of a summer program was told to stay off campus.
MPD’s bomb squad responded at about 8:20 a.m., took an X-ray of the IED and disabled it with a “water disruption shot.”
“Upon further investigation, it was determined the contents were more likely an improvised pyrotechnic device rather than an IED,” according to a July 23 MPD news release.
Residents were able to go home at about 11:30 a.m.
