Second suspect arrested in Maui explosives case

COURTESY OF FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Maui Police Department are currently investigating explosive devices left in the Kahului and Pukalani areas of Maui, according to a joint statement from the FBI’s Honolulu Division and MPD.

COURTESY OF FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Maui Police Department are currently investigating explosive devices left in the Kahului and Pukalani areas of Maui, according to a joint statement from the FBI’s Honolulu Division and MPD.

According to Maui Police, a 43-year-old Kula man was arrested in connection with the discovery of improvised explosive devices on August 7 near Kaamana Street in Kula.

The arrest of Jess Lee of Kula was the result of a “coordinated action” between the MPD and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“The Maui Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, continues to actively investigate the incidents of the past month,” Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said in a statement. “This joint effort underscores our shared commitment to justice and keeping our community safe.”

The investigation is ongoing and specific details cannot be disclosed at this time, according to a press release from the MPD.

“Our main goal is to ensure that all those responsible are identified and held accountable. We thank the community for their patience and cooperation in refraining from speculation during this critical phase,” Pelletier said.

Lee’s arrest is the second resulting from the joint MPD-FBI investigation into a series of IEDs abandoned on Maui, one of which detonated and damaged an SUV.

On August 13, a federal judge ordered the 47-year-old Kahului resident held without bail after he was arrested on August 10 on a federal warrant. The warrant charged Dumaran with “possession of an unregistered explosive device and attempting to damage property by means of an explosive.”

On July 23, Maui Police Department officers encountered an improvised explosive device near Lono Avenue in Kahului, on the street next to Kahului Elementary School.

The bomb contained explosives, a battery and grenade fragments. Dumaran’s fingerprints were reportedly found on the device.

near Kaamana Road in Kula on August 7 and the explosion of an explosive device that destroyed a white KIA SUV in Pukalani on August 8.

in connection with any of these events.

Lee faces charges in connection with the explosive device found on August 7.

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