14 treated after accidental pepper spray discharge leads to craft fair evacuation

HONOLULU (KHNL/Gray News) - An accidental pepper spray discharge prompted an evacuation at a community center in Hawaii on Sunday afternoon.

Honolulu police said officers responded to the Neal S. Blaisdell Center after 3 p.m. during the Hawaii Holiday Craft and Gift Fair.

According to a vendor, a customer was examining a pepper spray canister at a booth when they accidentally activated it, releasing its contents into the air.

The incident prompted an evacuation of the event hall as Honolulu firefighters, including the department’s hazardous materials team, and Emergency Medical Services responded.

Honolulu EMS said multiple crews evaluated 14 adults at the scene, and the patients declined transport to a hospital for further treatment.

Attendees said that a chemical smell lingered near the venue’s entrance following the accidental activation.