Pepper Spray Discharge Evacuates Honolulu Craft Fair; 14 Evaluated

An accidental pepper spray discharge at a vendor’s booth during the Hawaii Holiday Craft and Gift Fair at Honolulu’s Neal S. Blaisdell Center prompted the evacuation of the event hall Sunday afternoon. Firefighters, including a hazardous-materials team, and emergency medical crews responded; 14 adults were evaluated, and all declined hospital transport. The building was aired out and reopened less than an hour later, though attendees reported a lingering chemical smell near the entrance.