An ordinary city bus ride along North School Street turned tense on Wednesday when someone sprayed an unknown substance inside the vehicle, leaving riders coughing and triggering a full hazardous-materials response.
Firefighters and police shut down the area around the bus while crews checked on passengers and ran tests inside the vehicle to see if anything dangerous lingered in the air or on surfaces.
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services evaluated a man and a woman, both believed to be in their 60s, after they reported feeling ill following the spray. The pair were treated at the scene and chose not to go to the hospital, according to KITV. The episode was handled as a hazardous-materials call to North School Street, and first responders used protective protocols while they tried to pinpoint what was used and whether it posed an ongoing risk.
How hazmat responses typically unfold
The Honolulu Fire Department usually deploys a specialized Hazardous Materials team when there is a suspected chemical release. According to a recent HFD news release about a chemical response in Waikīkī, that team carries out air monitoring and trace sampling, then works to secure the scene before handing it over to police.
Crews often evaluate people on site and only reopen an area once testing shows there is no immediate danger. In some cases, lab analysis is needed to identify what was used, so the exact substance is not always known right away.
Similar scares around Oʻahu
Authorities have dealt with other noxious-substance incidents in recent years. The Honolulu Police Department reported that a bank robbery in Waikīkī in September involved a suspect spraying a substance that field tests later identified as oleoresin capsicum. Several employees reported respiratory or skin irritation and were treated at the scene, and both HFD and EMS responded. Honolulu Police Department officials said those affected declined hospital transport.
Cleaning products have also raised alarms on transit vehicles. In 2021, the state fined the city’s transit operator for not properly training workers who used disinfectant sprays, a case that highlighted how chemical mists in tight spaces can increase exposure concerns. That enforcement action was reported by Hawaii News Now.
Police have not released any additional information on who sprayed the substance on the bus or whether anyone might face charges. Riders who were on the bus and felt symptoms, or anyone who has video or information related to the incident, is urged to contact Honolulu police. Emergencies should be reported to 911. This story will be updated as authorities share more details, as reported by KITV.
