MEDIA RELEASE

Campus operations unaffected by detonation of unknown homemade devices.

Two unknown homemade devices detonated on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus early this morning, causing no injuries and no property damage. Campus operations continued without disruption.

“The two small explosions occurred at about 1 a.m. this morning,” said Chancellor Rose Tseng. “One was in the residence hall area, and the other by the Life Sciences PB 13-14 area where a third unexploded device was found. This area was closed off by the Hawaii County Police while it conducted an investigation.”

The University alerted students, faculty and staff to this incident by an email UH Alert message.

The University is currently cooperating with the police as they continue with their investigation. A suspect is in custody.

“The campus is lightly populated this week,” noted Tseng, “since classes ended last week and we are in the middle of exams before Saturday’s commencement. Of course, we take this matter very seriously — the safety of everyone on campus is of the highest priority.”

Hawaii County Police Department, Fire Department and military units responded to a bomb scare at 6:49 a.m. Thursday on the University of Hawaii-Hilo upper campus.

The Lanikaula entrance was blocked off, traffic diverted and two buildings were evacuated as military personnel deactivated the devices.

No injuries were reported and the devices were turned over to the police for further investigation.