An emailed bomb threat targeting a Kihei synagogue early Tuesday sent police racing to the scene for a full sweep, ramped up law-enforcement patrols in South Kihei, and left congregants shaken before officers ultimately determined there was no device. Maui police say the investigation is active and that, so far, there are no known suspects.
Police sweep synagogue after early-morning scare
According to the Maui Police Department, the Jewish Congregation of Maui's Kihei site received an email at about 6 a.m. that claimed a bomb was on the property, and officers carried out a search that turned up no explosive device, as reported by Hawaii News Now. As a precaution, MPD increased patrols in the surrounding area while detectives reviewed the threatening message for clues. The department said there were no injuries.
Prior device cases drew federal attention
Maui has seen related explosive-device incidents in recent years. In 2024, multiple improvised devices were recovered along roadways, and the FBI and Maui Police issued a public-safety warning, according to the FBI. Federal prosecutors later charged at least one person in connection with those cases, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii. Authorities say Tuesday's threat is being handled on its own while investigators also look into any possible links to those earlier incidents.
