South Kohala, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island police responded to a report of possible unexploded ordnance found in a culvert near the 44-mile marker on Old Saddle Road (Highway 200) recently. The incident, which prompted a swift response, concluded with the recovery of what was determined to be an empty shell casing.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed the item, which was identified as a container or shell designed to hold two pounds of propellant charge for use in specific military guns. While the item appeared to have been deliberately placed, it also showed signs of having been in the area for an extended period.
A U.S. Army Pohakuloa Training Area Range Operations Manager was called to the scene and successfully recovered the item for destruction. Authorities confirmed that the ordnance was, in fact, an empty shell casing, posing no immediate threat. No homes, businesses, or roadways were affected by the incident.
Police are reminding the public about the critical safety protocols when encountering potential unexploded ordnance (UXO). If you ever find what you suspect to be UXO, the guidance is clear: leave it in place, immediately exit the area, and call 911 or the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311. Do not touch, move, or disturb the item.