Boy, 9, arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive device at Ka’u school

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police on Wednesday arrested a 9-year-old boy on suspicion of possessing an explosive device at a Ka’u Learning Academy.

Police said a reported pipe bomb was called in about 10:15 a.m. and that officers found a suspicious device in the backpack of a 9-year-old boy. The boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing an explosive device and then released to a family member while police continue the investigation.

Police notified the FBI, the U.S. Army’s Explosive Ordinance Detail on Oahu, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hawaii County Fire Department.

Ka’u Learning Academy, on the 94-1500 block of Kalua Circle in Discovery Harbor, was evacuated for the rest of the day.

The school is a public charter school, currently for grades three to six. It intends to expand to a K-8 facility. The school opened to 99 students in 2015 in the temporary location of the Discovery Harous Golf Course clubhouse. At the time of opening there were five teachers, two education aides and four administrative staff.