Passengers at Hilo International Airport faced unexpected delays earlier morning when a routine X-ray screening uncovered two grenades in the carry-on luggage of a departing traveler. The Transportation Security Administration agents were quick to act, triggering an evacuation and a subsequent investigation that temporarily halted airport operations. According to Hawaii News Now, the items were found around 5:30 a.m. and appeared to be live explosives upon initial examination.
Authorities identified the passenger in question as Akito Fukushima, a 41-year-old Japanese national, who was arrested on charges of first-degree terroristic threatening. Faced with a potential threat, experts were called to inspect the dubious items, later confirming the grenades were inert and posed no danger. Evacuated during the examination, the airport staff and travelers were allowed to return shortly after operations resumed at 6:50 a.m., as detailed by a statement obtained by KITV.
After the clearance by the bomb squad, the TSA stressed the seriousness of such incidents despite the harmless outcome. "When a traveler brings any type of grenade to the airport, it causes operations to shut down and delays travelers," a TSA spokesperson said on KITV. They emphasized the importance of passengers being aware of the contents in their luggage, noting that all types of grenades, including replicas, are prohibited in both checked and carry-on luggage. Fukushima was taken into custody at HPD’s East Hawaii Detention Facility, where he remains as the investigation by the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continues.
