(Update) Puna Man Charged Following Bomb Threat Investigation

After conferring with Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, police charged 43-year-old Erick Jason Smith with first-degree terroristic threatening and obstructing government operations. His bail was set at $12,000.

The charges against Smith stem from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, March 31, at 12:07 p.m., when Puna patrol officers responded to the post office located within the Kea‘au Shopping Center for a report of a man, later identified as Smith, who informed an employee that a box for him within the post office contained a bomb. Smith left on foot and was located by police and placed under arrest.

As a precaution, officers immediately secured and evacuated the building and surrounding businesses, including Kea‘au Intermediate School, which remained closed for several hours.

Members of the Hawai‘i Island Bomb Squad responded to the scene and after assessing the package, determined there was no explosive threat. The business and roads were then reopened to the public.

Smith is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Thursday afternoon, April 2, in Hilo District Court.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or may have information to contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2381, or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.