Maui police allow evacuated residents to return as search continues for IED bomber
![COURTESY FBI
An Improvised Explosive Devices left on Maui, according to a joint statement from the FBIs Honolulu Division and MPD. Maui police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating an alleged improvised explosive device that detonated and damaged a car that was driving in Pukalani last night, according to multiple sources.](https://staradvertiser.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/web1_web1_20240808-fbi1.jpg)
COURTESY FBI
An Improvised Explosive Devices left on Maui, according to a joint statement from the FBI’s Honolulu Division and MPD. Maui police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating an alleged improvised explosive device that detonated and damaged a car that was driving in Pukalani last night, according to multiple sources.
UPDATE: Friday 11 p.m.
The Maui Police Department cleared evacuated areas of Wailuku for residents to return home Friday night while the investigation into improvised explosive devices on Maui continues, according to MPD.
No arrests have been made in the case and Maui police and FBI agents continue their hunt for whoever is behind a series of IEDs left in trash cans, left on roadways and other places in Kahului and Pukalani.
The ongoing police investigation ended in the area at about 11 p.m.
10 p.m.
Maui police are evacuating areas of Wailuku due to an ongoing police and FBI investigation into whoever is behind improvised explosive devices found in Pukalani and Kihei, one of which blew up Thursday night, damaging a SUV.
“Due to an active police investigation, the following road closures are in place,” read a statement from the Maui Police Department Friday night. The areas listed were:
>> Mill Street is closed from Lower Main to Imi Kala
>> Imi Kala is closed from Mill Street to Eha Street
>> Eha Street is closed from Imi Kala to Iao Loop
“Residents on the following streets have been evacuated:”
>> Halewili Street
>> Alako Street
>> Ono Street
>> Ea Street
>> Wili Place
>> Mill Street between Imi Kala and Lower Main
Additional evacuation areas:
Ainaaola Street
Koene Place
Lauala Street
Kopili Street
Kowali Place
Kopiko Street
Ainahou Place
Lauae Place
“There is an active police investigation occurring in the Wailuku area,” said MPD spokesperson Alana Pico, in a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
According to Maui 24/7, MPD allegedly located a suspect’s vehicle in connection with the IED case and evacuated the area before searching it.
>> Previous coverage
Maui police and the FBI are investigating a suspected improvised explosive device that detonated and damaged a car that was driving in Pukalani Thursday night, according to multiple sources.
At about 9 p.m. Thursday, Maui firefighters and police closed Old Haleakala Highway in both directions up to Makani Road after responding to multiple reports of a loud explosion and a motor vehicle accident.
According to the Maui 24/7 Facebook page, witnesses said “a vehicle was driving up Old Haleakala Hwy. when the driver saw an explosion on the road on the driver’s side of her car. The explosion shattered her windows and ripped holes in the driver’s side of her vehicle.”
The woman’s car was near Ikea Place in Pukalani when it was allegedly hit by the IED.
The highway was closed from about 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. today.
Leilani Fagan posted on Maui 24/7’s Facebook page that her house “shook it sounded like there was an explosion underneath.”
“I looked and didn’t see anything but saw my neighbors running down the road. I followed and at the beginning of IKEA [Place] there was a white SUV blocking the entrance to the road. It was riddled with gouges and puncture marks on the side and her windows were broken. The driver said it was not a car accident. She thought it was an explosion and needless to say she was very shook up and scared. She is lucky to have minor injuries. The police and firemen showed up a few minutes later and closed the Section of old Haleakala Highway and IKEA. They’re taking the vehicle as part of the ‘crime’ scene and examining the concrete and debris all over the road where the explosion took place. There is a suspicion that it’s a pipe bomb however this is not confirmed until further investigation!!” read her post at about midnight.
Maui police and the FBI said they are investigating.
“The FBI and Maui Police Department continue to work jointly on an investigation into recent reports of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on the Island of Maui, including last night’s incident in Pukalani,” read a statement to the Star-Advertiser.
“We ask the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities that could present a threat to public safety. If you see something suspicious in the road, such as an object that appears out of place, do not touch, drive over, or go near it for any reason,” read the statement. “If possible, keep others away from the area and report the object immediately by calling MPD at call 911 immediately.”
Authorities ask the public to report any tips to tips.fbi.gov or 800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324).