A backpack that caused a bomb scare on Ward Avenue last week caught the attention of police because of the manner in which it had been left behind.

The circumstances were viewed as suspicious because a man deliberately left it next to a wall near Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Ward Avenue facility, police said. It houses a control center.

The orange-and-black bag, about the size of a 17-inch laptop messenger bag, contained personal and other miscellaneous items but no explosives, said Honolulu Police Department Capt. William Axt.

HECO security officers saw the man drive into the building’s parking lot and sit in his vehicle for about 10 minutes before stepping out and placing the bag next to the wall, Axt said. The man immediately left the property.

Police closed the road between Kapiolani Boulevard and South King Street, and a remote-controlled robot from the department’s bomb unit eventually blew apart the bag with a water cannon.

An officer carried away two paper bags containing the remains of the backpack and contents, and the road was reopened at about 5:50 p.m.

Axt acknowledged that closing a road can be an inconvenience for motorists, especially during peak traffic times, but said officers responded appropriately.

On the mainland, people planning a terrorist act might do or plant something to see what response it generates, he said.

"With all the training that’s going on and everything that’s happening in the world, we don’t want to take anything lightly," he said. "We have to respond as if it’s a serious threat."

Honolulu police are gearing up to provide security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, which will be held in Honolulu next November. Leaders of 21 countries will descend on the Hawai’i Convention Center, and security is a top concern.

"As far as, would we act in the same manner if this situation happened again? Absolutely," Axt said. "It’s more than just somebody walking by and just placing a backpack down next to a wall.

"It basically turned out to be nothing, but like I said, we just erred on the side of caution."

Officers have leads on the person who dropped the bag, Axt said, but said it is possible the man left it behind for reasons that are not criminal.

To see what constitutes suspicious activity, visit www.honolulupd.org/main/atiu.htm. To report such activity, call 911.