The device, with the words "Dyno-Noble" on it, was lost somewhere between Schofield Barracks' Foote Gate and the Wahiawa police station on North Cane Road. The explosive was lost between 2 and 4 p.m., said Assistant Police Chief Boisse Correa.

Correa said the device is about 8 inches long, yellow and resembles a flare. It has a serial number on it, along with the brand name Dyno-Noble, but has no fuse.

He said the explosive could be set off by friction, impact or sudden temperature changes.

It was not known tonight how the explosive was lost. Army officials could not be reached for comment.

The vehicle left Schofield's Foote Gate on Kunia Road, drove onto Wilikina Drive to Kamehameha Highway, turned onto California Avenue then North Cane Road, where it made a right to the police station, Correa said. Police were asked to join the search for the device.

"We checked the streets," Correa said shortly after 6:30 p.m. "Right now they have 40 military personnel with police officers and they're walking the area looking for it. Because of the color we should be able to see it."