Hanamā‘ulu Man Arrested Following Bomb Threat to Kōloa Elementary

A Hanamā‘ulu man was arrested Monday after making a phone call to the Kōloa Elementary School administration, threatening that a bomb would go off at the end of the school day.

No bombs or explosives were found and no injuries were reported, according to a press release from Kaua‘i Police Department.

According to a preliminary report, on Monday, at 12:06 p.m., Kōloa Elementary School administration received a call from a male, later identified as 20-year-old Lopaka Santos, who said a bomb was set to detonate after school was finished.

The KPD Bomb Squad, American Medical Response, and the Kaua‘i Fire Department responded to the incident. Members of the Patrol Services Bureau were the first to arrive and began to work with school administration in checking for any devices in the area, the release indicated.

A decision was made by school administration to evacuate the school. KPD personnel assisted with the evacuation of students to a safe location away from the area.

After a full sweep of the campus, no devices were found and officers cleared the school of any threats.
Additional evidence led officers to identify, locate, and arrest Santos Monday afternoon.

Santos was arrested on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and is currently being held at Līhu‘e Headquarters as the investigation continues.