Hilo News: 20 year Old Man Arrested in Conjunction With a Series of Explosions at UH Hilo

Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives have arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with a series of explosions on the UH-Hilo Campus. The suspect, Edward E. Wine, of Hilo, formerly of Maui, was arrested at the Hilo police station Thursday afternoon (December 18) after voluntarily presenting himself at the request of investigators.



At 1:16 a.m. Thursday, Hilo patrol officers responded to a report of an explosion heard at the UHH Campus. While officers were on the scene, a second explosion was heard.

Police located two possible explosive devices tied to a tree. One had detonated while the other had not. Another detonated device was also located. Assistance from U.S. Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel was requested to disarm the unexploded device.

This was the second of a series explosions at UH HIlo. Police are not sure if there is a connection, but it seems likely.

Monday night there were 5 small explosions in the Botanical Gardens and by the Beaumont building. No one was injured and there was no damage to the campus or grounds. The devices were made with plastic drinking bottles and readily available household chemicals. The detonations occurred from 11:10 PM till 1:00 AM, and two males were seen in the vicinity.

The suspect remains in custody pending further investigation. He faces ownership prohibited (explosives) charges, which are Class C felonies, punishable by up to five years of imprisonment for each device.

There were no injuries reported to police stemming from this incident.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Detective Kelly Matsumoto at 961-2380 or the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.