Hawaiian Man Arrested in Connection with Explosive Device Near School

A 47-year-old man from Kahului, Maui, identified as Robert Francis Dumaran, was arrested on Tuesday after his fingerprints were discovered on tape used to assemble an improvised explosive device (IED) found near an elementary school. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii reported that Dumaran appeared in U.S. District Court facing charges of possessing an unregistered destructive device and attempting to damage property with explosives. The incident occurred on July 23, 2024, when Maui Police Department officers located the IED on Lono Avenue, close to Kahului Elementary School. The device contained explosive powder, a battery, and shrapnel. The investigation linked Dumaran to the device through his fingerprints found on the packing tape. Although he has not been charged with further offenses, the affidavit referenced two other IED incidents in August, one of which caused damage to a vehicle. A preliminary hearing for Dumaran is scheduled for August 27, and he has been ordered to remain in custody without bond. Witnesses described the explosion as sounding like an attack, with one local resident, Jessica Weatherholt, recalling a loud blast that startled the community. Authorities, including the FBI and Maui Police, have collected several IEDs from various locations between Kahului and Kula. These devices, resembling small makeshift baskets, have been rendered safe, and the investigation continues to identify those responsible for their creation and placement.