Japanese national who caused scare at Hilo airport has been released

A Japanese national whose alleged actions caused a closure of Hilo International Airport early Tuesday morning has been released from police custody pending further investigation.

Akito Fukushima, 41, of Kanazawa, Japan, was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening after he was detained by Transportation Security Administration personnel for allegedly having two inert grenades in a carry-on bag. He was later released without charges being filed.

Fukushima is free to return to Japan.

“He was released pending further investigation, so there is nothing to prohibit him from travel,” said Rio Amon-Wilkins, commander of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Division.

Police responded to a 5:44 a.m. call and secured and evacuated the terminal area as a precautionary safety measure while the department’s bomb squad arrived on scene and determined the items to be inert grenades.

The airport resumed operations at 6:50 a.m.

Amon-Wilkins said Fukushima purchased the grenades at Hilo Surplus Store knowing that they were inert.

“There were two inert grenades that he legally purchased here in Hilo,” he continued. “So, obviously, possessing them was not illegal. But taking them on carry-on luggage through TSA … without informing them was obviously a concern.

“It caused a substantial inconvenience and scare at the airport. Several flights were delayed, and the airport was evacuated.”

The Tribune-Herald attempted to contact the Hilo Surplus Store to learn exactly what Fukushima purchased, but the Mamo Street business is closed through July 22, according to a voice message.

First-degree terroristic threatening is a Class C felony with a conviction carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The state has three years to file charges under the statute of limitations. However, any decision to charge Fukushima would necessitate extradition proceedings for him to be prosecuted.

“We’ll send the case to the prosecutor’s office, and they’ll review it and make a determination on that,” Amon-Wilkins said.

Police remind the public that replicas of explosives, such as hand grenades, are prohibited in checked and carry-on baggage. TSA officers also have the discretion to prohibit any item through the screening checkpoint if they believe it poses a security threat.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.