S5·E11 Ua ʻaihue (Stolen)

Episode recap

The episode opens with the discovery of a tourist’s death on the island. The victim had been unwittingly used to transport a stolen painting by the Dutch master Vincent van Gogh, and the homicide triggers a new investigation for the Five‑0 task force. Detectives Kono Kalakaua and Chin Ho Kelly go undercover to infiltrate the illicit network that traffics priceless works of art. Their assignment places them deep within a black‑market operation that moves stolen masterpieces, and the pair soon find themselves captured and held hostage by the criminals who control the trade.

While Kono and Chin work to survive their captivity and gather intelligence on the art‑theft ring, Steve McGarrett turns his attention to a lighter, yet competitive, side of island life. He enlists the assistance of celebrated chef Masaharu Morimoto, known for his appearances on the television series Iron Chef, to coach Kamekona Tui. The goal of the training is to give Kamekona the skills needed to defeat local culinary legend Chef Sam Choy in an upcoming shrimp cook‑off. Morimoto’s involvement brings professional culinary techniques to the preparation of the shrimp dish, and the episode follows the intensive preparation sessions as Kamekona attempts to master the demanding standards set by his mentor.

The dual storylines converge as the task force works to locate and rescue Kono and Chin, using the information they have managed to obtain while in captivity. Their efforts are coordinated with McGarrett’s broader investigation into the stolen Van Gogh, linking the art‑theft operation to the murder of the tourist. The episode balances the tension of the hostage scenario with the lighter, competitive atmosphere of the cooking challenge, illustrating both the serious crime‑fighting duties of the Five‑0 unit and the cultural vibrancy of the Hawaiian community. By the conclusion, the team has made progress on both fronts, setting the stage for further developments in the pursuit of the stolen artwork and the outcome of the shrimp cook‑off.