An improvised explosive device that had been placed near a trash can along Old Haleakala Highway in Pukalani on Maui exploded Thursday night, striking a passing car, according to the FBI. 

Several of the devices, which can look like small, makeshift baskets, have been recovered along roads between Kahului and Kula in recent days, the FBI said. Most of them were hidden in trash cans or outside of plain view. 

The FBI would not say whether the driver suffered any injuries or whether they were taken to a hospital.

One device recovered by investigators measured 7 inches by 4 inches and was shaped like a cylinder, the FBI said. The agency would not say exactly how many of the devices it has found. 

Maui police spokeswoman Alana Pico said in a statement the department is working with the FBI to investigate the source of the IEDs and asked members of the public to report suspicious objects in the road. 

“Do not touch, drive over, or go near it for any reason,” the statement says. “If possible, keep others away from the area and report the object immediately by calling MPD at 911.”

Daniel Perry, who lives in Kahului, said he saw a flash in the sky coming from the direction of Pukalani just before 8:45 p.m. on Thursday. Pukalani is about 10 miles southeast of Kahului. 

“I couldn’t understand what that flash was,” he said. 

Later, he spoke to people closer to the site of the blast who said the sound was so loud their houses rattled.

“It’s scary actually to tell you the truth,” he said. “It’s devastating if somebody was to actually die from that … I don’t want Maui to burn anymore.” 

Pico declined to provide further information. An FBI spokesperson did not respond to questions about what materials were used in the IEDs or whether investigators had identified any suspects. 

IEDs can often contain common materials, like fertilizer, gunpowder and hydrogen peroxide, according to the Department of Homeland Security. They can sometimes be packed with other items, such as nails, glass or metal fragments to increase the amount of potential damage they can cause.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.