Kaua‘i High bomb threat luckily a dud

LIHU‘E — About 300 teenagers left Kaua‘i High School early on Thursday after the administration evacuated the entire student body following a report of a bomb threat.

Those who remained, lost about a one-and-a-half classes due to the disruption, said Vice Principal Penny Vess.

“I think any time a student misses class, it’s unfortunate,” Vess said. “With that being said, their safety comes first.”

At about 6:50 a.m. school officials told Kaua‘i Police that the school had been tagged with graffiti outside of a classroom wing, on the facade of the school’s library and in other areas of the campus, said Complex Area Superintendent William N. Arakaki.

Some of it alluded to bombs being planted in various school buildings. He said he could not discuss the messages or the type of material used to create them while the case remains under investigation.

Approximately 1,150 students, along with faculty and staff, evacuated to the school’s gymnasium at about 7:10 a.m. after police confirmed it was safe.

Roughly 20 Kaua‘i police officers searched the school for bombs and explosives but found neither. By 10:40 a.m., the school resumed its normal operations.

“Everybody pulled together, even the students were well behaved,” Vess said.

Since then, school administrators have taken up their own investigation. Vess said at this point, she’s not sure if a student or another culprit is behind the vandalism. Maintenance personnel have already painted over the markings.

“It’s always taken care of immediately, we try to do it before students even arrive on campus,” Vess said.

She and Principal Linda Smith said the school last experienced a threat eight or nine years ago.

They both thanked police for their support and quick response.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to call Detective Bernard Purisima at 241-1682, Police Dispatch at 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.