An original painting by world renowned artist Kai Lava was stolen at approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 from the Holle Fine Art Gallery at 839 Front St. Lahaina on Maui.

A brazen theif dressed in a black hoodie and board shorts walked into the prestigious gallery and targeted Kai Lava’s “Aloha Marilyn” original painting valued at $65,000. 

The targeted Marilyn Monroe themed piece displayed as the marquee in the galleries front window was surrounded by other paintings and sculptures of noted artists such as Romero Britto, Christian Lassen and Ruby Mazur. Kai Lava is from Oahu with roots connecting back to legendary Hawaiian singer Don Ho. Her list of collectors includes Fiji, Dionne Warwick, Mike Tyson, Vince Neil, Clive Davis and Wyland. 

The Holle Gallery sent a message to the art thief through social media stating, “If you have an emotional connection to a piece of art talk to the gallery, maybe there’s a print available and we can work with financing, layaway, whatever it may be, but please understand stealing artwork, like anything else, is not ok. You are taking more than canvas and paint: you are stealing something emotional from both artist and potential client.”  They continued, “Live Pono and have Aloha, it’s more than a word spoken in passing.” 

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