PUHI — The third bomb threat to hit Kaua‘i schools in less than three weeks spoke to a younger crowd. On Monday afternoon someone found a notice in a Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School bathroom stating there was a bomb on
PUHI — The third bomb threat to hit Kaua‘i schools in less than three weeks spoke to a younger crowd.
On Monday afternoon someone found a notice in a Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School bathroom stating there was a bomb on campus, said Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki.
He would not give details of the threat or speculate whether a copy cat had mimicked those found at Kaua‘i High School on Feb. 17 and Feb. 23.
“We don’t know who it is,” Arakaki said.
According to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, making a bomb threat is classified as first degree terroristic threatening, a class C felony, and is punishable by up to five years in prison.
“We have no reason to believe that today’s bomb threat was related to recent incidents that occurred at Kaua‘i High School,” said Capt. Michael Contrades with the Kaua‘i Police Department’s Patrol Services Bureau. “We are actively pursuing all incidents. These are very serious crimes that carry a serious punishment.”
According to two Department of Education press releases, students and staff evacuated the middle school to a designated site at the YMCA after 2:20 p.m. However, the majority of the approximately 1,000 person student body was already on its way home before the threat was located.
Parents and school buses picked up remaining children at the YMCA.
After 3 p.m., a police car could be seen blocking lanes of Kaneka Street at the corner of Nuhou, which fronts the school at 4431 Nuhou St. in Lihu‘e. Another prevented traffic from coming up the road. Traffic slowed in areas around the school.
Police found no explosives following a campus search. Roads were reopened around 4:45 p.m.
Class will resume normal operations today.
Attempts to reach the school’s principal were unsuccessful at press time.
No culprit yet
In the two high school incidents, someone tagged several areas of the campus with threats. Following discovery of that second threat, students were asked not to come to school.
County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said that investigators are working on leads but are unable to comment on the specifics at this time as it is an active and open investigation.
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying anyone that may be involved. Those with information are urged to call Detective Bernard Purisima at 241-1682, Police Dispatch, 241-1711, or Crime Stoppers, 241-1887.
Blane added that Kaua‘i police have confirmed they are working with the Department of Education to reduce and discourage these types of incidents in the future.
“As far as what steps will be implemented, that of course would be DOE’s call, as I’m sure at least some of those steps would require funds,” Blane said in an e-mail.
Arakaki said the school has taken some measures to secure the campus but demurred from commenting on what efforts have been made.
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@kauaipubco.com.
