June 14, 2010 – Keaukaha, Hawaii

Police say this bomb, right, was found under a house in Keaukaha.

The following media release was also issued by the Hawaii County Police Department:

The United States Marine Corp’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called to the Keaukaha area of Hilo on Monday (June 14) after police responded to a report of a bomb.

A relative had been cleaning a family home of the recently deceased occupant, when she found what appeared to be a bomb under the house.

Police called the EOD team, which happened to be on the Big Island at the time. The team responded immediately and determined that the device was not a threat to neighbors in the area. It was found to be an M38A2 practice bomb used in the 1930s and 1940s. The device, which contained only enough explosive material to create smoke and a small flash, was removed from the area.

Police advise the public not to touch anything that appears to be old military ordnance and to call police immediately.