Diver Brings Mortar Round Ashore On Public Beach

Kihei, Maui, Hawaii EOD safely disposed of a M301A3 81-mm mortar illumination round brought ashore by a civilian recreational diver. The UXO was detonated without incident after it was removed from Sugar Beach in Maui.

Maui police met with the EOD team from Oahu to coordinate the safe removal of the round to the Ukumehame Firing range where it was detonated.

The diver reportedly found the UXO while swimming about 20 feet from shore. He decided to bring the mortar ashore laying it in the sand before notifying police. The proper and safe procedure would have been to leave the item in the water and report the find to the police.