HVNP seeking art thieves

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is requesting public assistance in identifying two people suspected of stealing artwork from the Volcano House hotel last week.

According to a National Park statement, at around 11:45 p.m. Friday, somebody stole a replica of mahiloe — a traditional feather helmet worn by Hawaiian chiefs — from the lobby of the hotel, which sits within the park. The item was crefted by local artist Rick San Nicolas, and was displayed in a case near the hotel’s front desk.

The hotel’s video surveillance system captured blurry images of a man and a woman near the hotel’s front desk at the time of the theft. Anyone with information about the theft or who can identify the suspects are asked to contact the National Park Service at (888) 653-0009 or at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip.