Downtown streets reopened after police investigate suspicious package

UPDATE: 9:25 a.m.

Honolulu police gave the “all-clear” and reopened Beretania Street at the intersection of Punchbowl Street.

Maintenance staff at the Keoni Ana building found a suspicious package — described as an unattended cardboard box — outside the doors of the state building at 1177 Alakea Street at approximately 5:56 a.m., according to Toni Schwartz, spokeswoman of the Hawaii Department of Public Safety.

The state building is on the mauka side of Honolulu District Court.

Sheriff deputies and Honolulu police including the Bomb Squad responded to the area to investigate.

Law enforcement temporarily shut down portions of Alakea Street and Beretania Street until police gave the all-clear at 8:45 a.m. after they determined the box did not contain any explosives.

8:48 a.m.

Honolulu police have reopened Alakea Street. Beretania Street near Punchbowl Street remain closed.

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Police have closed multiple streets in downtown Honolulu to investigate a suspicious package.

Beretania Street by Punchbowl, Alakea Street between Hotel and Beretania streets and the intersection of Richard and Hotel streets have been closed off, according to a bulletin from police sent at 6:22 a.m.

The investigation of the suspicious package has affected operations at Honolulu District Court.

The court is temporarily closed at this time, according to acting deputy chief court administrator Mark Santoki.

Criminal non-custody cases will be held via Zoom from Kaneohe District.

People are advised to avoid the area.