Maui police allowed residents from 21 homes in Wailuku to return Wednesday night after an Army explosive ordnance disposal team from Oahu determined a possible homemade explosive device was harmless, police said.

A resident at 2275 Mokuhau Road called police after finding the suspicous item in the house about 12:50 p.m. Wednesday.

The Army unit arrived on Maui about 7:30 p.m. and declared the device a “hoax” improvised explosive device, police said.

About 25 displaced residents stayed at a shelter at Wailuku Gym on Market Street and were allowed home about 8:50 p.m.