‘Suspicious device” closes Kuakini Highway; later removed but not identified

KAILUA-KONA—A “suspicious device” closed a stretch of Kuakini Highway between Palani Road and Kaiwi Street for most of the day Friday.

Police couldn’t be reached later in the evening, though the road reopened at around 5:15 p.m. The device wasn’t identified.

Sgt. Rollin Rabara said Friday morning that police received notification of the possible suspicious device at King Kamehameha Mall at 7:23 a.m. The area was immediately closed to traffic and pedestrians.

Capt. Randal Ishii said later that afternoon that an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was making its assessment at the location.

“Once we have the all-clear, then we’ll open up the road and everybody can go back to business as normal,” he said.

“But we have to be sure first,” he added. “We’re not taking any kind of chances.”

The road closure forced motorists to avoid the area and diverted them toward Queen Kaahumanu Highway, causing slow traffic along that route.

No bomb threat was called in, Rabara confirmed. The King Kamehameha Mall, near the intersection of Palani Road and Kuakini Highway, self evacuated and any businesses that were not open at the time were asked to delay opening.

Nearby businesses seemed to be unaffected by the day’s excitement. Rob Slayden of Kona Brewing Company said they were open for “business as usual” during the day.

The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived on scene shortly after 4 p.m.

By that time, a small group of spectators had gathered on the grass in front of the North Kona Shopping Center across the street from the mall.

By about 5:15 p.m., officials had packed up the scene, which was followed shortly by the reopening of the road. Businesses located at the King Kamehameha Mall remained closed when West Hawaii Today visited the scene later in the evening.

Police could not be reached later in the evening, so it remains unclear what the suspicious device was or whether it posed any potential danger.