Police have reopened Ward Avenue in both directions between Kapiolani Boulevard and King Street after officers checked out a suspicious backpack.

The road was reopened shortly before 6 p.m. Officers carried away two paper bags containing evidence, but made no statement as to what was inside. Security personnel at the Hawaiian Electric Co. had reported the backpack at 2:36 p.m., police said.

The police Specialized Services Division arrived with a cargo vehicle at 4:25 p.m. Officers deployed a robot to examine the backpack.

Peter Rosegg, HECO spokesman, said the backpack was apparently found on the ground near the base of the flagpole near Ward Avenue.

“Our security spotted the backpack that didn’t seem to have anybody attached to it,” he said. Police were called and they took over the scene.

The building has not been evacuated, but some employees who were parked nearby were asked to move their vehicles.