A shopping mall and part of a road in Kona is closed as investigators check out a suspicious device, Hawaii island police reported.

Police said at 7:23 a.m. a call about a suspicious device in front of a business at the King Kamehameha Mall in Kailua-Kona was received. The mall was evacuated and police formed a perimeter around the area.

Kuakini Highway from Palani Road to Kaiwi Street is is expected to remain closed through this afternoon.

Personnel from the U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) are responding.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.