MEDIA RELEASE
Two middle school students have been charged with terroristic threatening in connection with a fake homemade bomb confiscated at Konawaena Middle School on Wednesday (October 26).
Kona patrol officers responded to the school Thursday afternoon (October 27) in response to a report that school officials had confiscated a homemade bomb from a student. Police investigation revealed that the device—consisting of an aluminum can with electronic parts and numerous wires—had been confiscated from a 13-year-old boy’s backpack on Wednesday and taken to the vice principal’s office. It had been given to the 13-year-old boy by a 14-year-old boy, who is also a student at the school.
Police secured the building and called the U.S. Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Oahu.
Both students were arrested at the school at 2:30 p.m. After consulting with Hawaiʻi County prosecutors, police charged each of them at 3:30 p.m. with first-degree terroristic threatening. They were release to the custody of their parents or guardians pending an appearance in Family Court.
Shortly after 6 p.m., when school was closed, the Army’s bomb squad arrived and determined that the bomb was a simulation that did not contain any explosives.
Major James O’Connor from the Area II Operations Bureau, said this incident is a reminder of the importance of communication between parents and their children.
“As a parent myself, I can’t stress enough the value of making ourselves aware of what our children are reading, writing and talking about,” O’Connor said. “A parent’s guidance can reduce or eliminate these potentially dangerous situations.”
This story is amazing as it shows that the Administration waited a whole day to call the police in who then called the US Army Corp. Yet no one from the school has bothered to tell the parents anything . My daughter attends this school and I find out about this online?!?! This shows me that KMS lacks protocols regarding bombs, bomb threats & disposal protocols. I have tried to call the school to speak to the principal and no one answers the phone in the office. That figures it’s a Friday!! I’m really upset as a parent that no one from the school feels that it’s necessary to inform us the parents of a bomb in school yet they send home notices if they find an uku (lice) in your childs classroom?!?! I’m appalled and disgusted how this whole situation seems to be handled from start to finish. This should cause KMS and the administration to come up with protocols and procedures whether it be real or not!!!
Agree with you 100% Sanoe, its amazing they didn’t call parents. Time for a new administration for sure!
Ken the principal just now Friday sent a letter of notification home however he starts it out with yesterday’s date of Thursday October 27th the police were called yet he totally doesn’t mention Wednesday October 26th when the bomb was actually discovered and confiscated . Absolutely no mention! Thats interesting don’t you think not fully disclosing the facts and dates!?!?
No evacuations were done of the campus either!? No protocols or procedures are apparent and post 9 11 you would think all schools would have bomb protocols in place. I’m very disappointed
As an employee of KMS, I am disgusted that no one, including faculty and staff was notified about this situation. No one said anything Wednesday, nor Thursday. And for some reason, they allowed teachers and students to remain unsafe for 24 hours. Administration put everyone at risk, taking a potentially life threatening situation and not doing a thing!
Thank you “can’t Say” for at least voicing your opinion here as this is a situation that was bungled from start to finish. I applaud your courage to speak up! Bless you
HI, Margy said the Elementary school has all these drills. This seems to be the fault of the principal. I would call Reed or write something for them as well. More people need to know. I wonder what the guy would say when confronted?
Ken I called the principal and he said he was in Naalehu on Wed 26th so the VP was the one who sat on it all day Wed yet they both waited to lunchtime on Thurs 27th to call the police yet they didn’t evacuate the school when the principal came back on Thurs 27th and the clearance from the Army Corp wasn’t until the evening of Thurs 27th.
Handled so incorrectly from Wednesday day 1. He sent the notification letter home but neglected to speak to the fact the bomb was found on Wed 26th he only mentions that police were called on Thursday 27th. So unless parents know about this article they think oh it just happened yesterday when in reality it happened 2 days ago and only now a letter is being sent home! Someone is hiding something here.
If my child was at Konawaena Middle School at this time I’d be really upset too. This is a scary situation that could have gone very wrong.
Thr parents should be held accountable, p.o.s parents again.. Great job JayG
i was once i student at konawaena middle im at the high school now i knew the 2 boys who did it and one was my class mate. its amazing how my old scool doesnt do anything about it and how um proud i am tosay iwent there icant blieve im so mad>:(