Traditional feather helmet replica snatched from lobby of Volcano House Hotel

A contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs...
A contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs called a mahiole was stolen on Jan. 13th.(Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)
Published: Jan. 19, 2023 at 3:13 PM HST|Updated: Jan. 19, 2023 at 8:36 PM HST
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals suspected of stealing Hawaiian cultural artwork from the Volcano House Hotel lobby.

Park officials said a contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet — called a mahiole — worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs was stolen on Jan. 13.

The crimson and yellow mahiole was crafted by renowned local artist Rick San Nicolas and was displayed in a case near the hotel’s front desk.

Newly released images from the hotel’s video surveillance system show a man carrying a large item in a reddish cloth and a woman near the hotel’s front desk around the same time of the theft.

A contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs...
A contemporary replica of a traditional feather helmet worn by high-ranking Hawaiian chiefs called a mahiole was stolen on Jan. 13th.(Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)

Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service by calling or texting 888-653-0009.

Tips can also be submitted online or via email at nps_isb@nps.gov.