‘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 about 5:15 p.m. The device wasn’t identified.

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

HPD Capt. Randal Ishii said Friday 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. We’re not taking any kind of chances.”

The road closure forced motorists to be diverted 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 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 the establishment was open for “business as usual” during the day.

The 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 King Kamehameha Mall remained closed 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.

Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.