UPDATE: Volcano man officially charged in Kea‘au post office bomb threat incident

Update at 6:27 p.m. April 1, 2026: Hawai‘i Police Department reported Wednesday afternoon, April 1, that after conferring with Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney 43-year-old Erick Jason Smith of Volcano was officially charged with first-degree terroristic threatening and obstructing government operations in connection with a bomb threat March 31 at the Kea‘au post office within Kea‘au Shopping Center.

Smith’s bail was set at $12,000.

He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Thursday afternoon, April 2, in Hilo District Court.

Officers responded shortly after noon and immediately secured, evacuating the building and surrounding businesses, including Kea‘au Intermediate School, which was closed several hours.

Businesses, other facilities and roads were only reopened after Hawai‘i Island Bomb Squad members assessed the package and determined there was no explosive threat.

Smith left the area on foot and was later found and arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening.

Update at 8:57 p.m. March 31, 2026: Hawai‘i Island police arrested 43-year-old Erick Smith of Volcano in connection with a bomb threat incident Tuesday, March 31, at the Kea‘au post office, within Kea‘au Shopping Center.

Smith was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening and transported to Hawai‘i Police Department’s East Hawai‘i Detention Facility, where he remains in custody pending further investigation by Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives.

Police responded shortly after noon Tuesday to a report that a man, later identified as Smith, entered the post office and told an employee that a box he left at the counter contained a bomb. Smith then left the area on foot.

Officers immediately secured and evacuated the building and surrounding businesses. Kea‘au Intermediate School also initiated an evacuation, conducting a school safety drill in which all students were safely relocated to the Kea‘au High School parking lot.

Members of Hawai‘i Island Bomb Squad responded to the scene and conducted an assessment of the package, determining there was no explosive threat.

Police later located Smith in the area and arrested him.

Anyone who might have additional information is encouraged to call Hawai‘i Police Department’s nonemergency number at 808-935-3311.

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.

Story originally posted at 3:22 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026: A man from Volcano was taken into custody this afternoon after reportedly making a bomb threat at the Kea‘au post office on Tuesday afternoon.

Hawai‘i Island Police Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins said the 43-year-old entered the post office at around noon. Statements about a bomb were made, and police were called, the captain said.

When officers arrived on scene, they evacuated the area and bomb technicians were brought in to investigate. Old Volcano Road is currently closed between Highway 11 and Keaʻau-Pāhoa Road.

Amon-Wilkins said no injuries were reported and no devices were located. The area is expected to reopen soon.

Pedestrians and residents in the immediate area are advised to remain clear of the scene for their safety.

Updates will be provided as information becomes available.