Cache of grenades, pipe bombs prompts evacuation in Kalihi

Police closed Pohaku Street makai of School Street in Kalihi this afternoon while a police bomb squad cleared unexploded ordnance.

Police said officers were sent to a case about someone turning in his brother’s weapon and ammunition at 12:06 p.m.

Responding officers were shown a cache of grenades and pipe bombs in the unit and began clearing the six-story building at 1555 Pohaku St., said a man who was in the unit.

Sean, who declined to give his last name, said he was helping his parents clean out his late uncle’s fourth floor studio after the uncle died recently at the age of 80. The family found a gun and ammunition in the condo and called police.

Sean said after calling police his family found three grenades and what appeared to be a pipe bomb in the closet. He said his uncle was former military.

Resident Jason Souza said he overheard the deceased man’s brother tell police they found 16 pipe bombs.

A police lieutenant only said “items” were found.

Hundreds were displaced in the evacuation of the building before 1 p.m. A resident manager said about 300 live in the building with about 160 units. Police sealed off access to the long cul-de-sac. Residents in surrounding structures who were not evacuated were told to shelter in place. Some residents across the street were evacuated while residents in surrounding structures were allowed to stay.

Residents were allowed to return in the evening.

Police requested city buses to transport displaced residents from the scene to Lanakila gym, where the Red Cross had set up a shelter. Dozens of elderly and other residents took the bus to the park.