Hawai‘i Island police and federal authorities are investigating an explosion that occurred at a Puna residence on Sunday, May 28.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to a home on Ala Naulani Road on a report of an explosion, which left a man severely injured. Responding officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and located a 35-year-old man lying on the floor of the residence with a critical wound to his abdomen area. He was then transported to Hilo Medical Center and later flown to Queen’s Medical Center on Honolulu, where he later died from the injuries.  

The deceased’s wife and three children, were asleep at home during the incident but none were injured.

According to authorities at the scene, which included the Hawai‘i Interisland Bomb Squad (HIBS) response team comprised of personnel from the Hawai‘i Police Department, Maui Police Department, and Kauai Police Department, the deceased had been involved in constructing homemade fireworks when the incident occurred.  

Police also received assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Honolulu Branch, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in rendering the residence safe, processing the scene, and evidence collection.

Police located and recovered materials used for constructing homemade fireworks, several firearms, and 214 marijuana plants, ranging from seedlings to approximately 2 feet tall.

Federal authorities are taking the lead on the investigation and the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is encouraged to call the Hawai‘i Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or the Honolulu Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (808) 566-4300.