HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL DIVISION
CAPTAIN JOHN DAWRS
PHONE: 326-4208
APRIL 5, 2002
MEDIA RELEASE
A U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit recovered 1,832 blasting caps from property near Papa Bay Estates in South Kona during a two-day operation that ended Thursday (April 4, 2002).
The blasting caps were discovered by a South Kona resident who called police Wednesday to report that he had found 40 to 50 bags of what he thought was demolition cord on his property, about a half-mile north of Papa Bay Estates.
Investigators determined that the explosives were actually shock tubing, more commonly referred to as blasting caps, used to ignite explosives.
The blasting caps appeared to have been at the location for an extended period of time, since most of the bags had ferns growing over them.
Police called for an Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit to help with the recovery. The unit safely detonated the caps at the Kailua landfill on Wednesday and Thursday.
Police also called the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to help identify the source of the explosive shock cord. A police investigation is continuing.
A police department spokesman stressed that all explosives should be considered extremely dangerous. He cautioned anyone finding suspected explosives against touching the items and recommended contacting the police immediately.
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