News Release

National Park Service seeks leads on theft of artwork from Volcano House hotel

Surveillance camera image of a person of interest wanted for questioning related to a recent theft at Volcano House hotel

Surveillance camera image

News Release Date: January 19, 2023

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

Note: this news release was updated on January 26, 2023

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – National Park Service law enforcement officials seek the public’s help in identifying a person of interest wanted for questioning in the theft of Hawaiian cultural artwork from the Volcano House hotel.

An image extracted from the hotel’s video surveillance system shows a man carrying a red cloth shortly before hotel security noticed the missing artwork. 

On Friday, January 13 around 11:45 p.m., someone stole a contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs called a mahiole. The striking crimson and yellow mahiole was crafted by renowned local artist Rick San Nicolas and was displayed in a case near the front desk of the hotel. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service by calling or texting 888-653-0009. Tips can also be submitted online at https://go.nps.gov/SubmitATip or via email at [e-mail]. 

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