Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Plans Flight Operations in December

The skies above Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will be busy throughout December with several flight operations planned.

Operations are scheduled for:

• Between 6 and 7 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, for ungulate survey in Kahuku between 4,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 7 and 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, for removal of fence materials at Great Crack between 2,000 and 4,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 8 and 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring between 6,500 and 9,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. Dec. 7 for ʻuaʻu monitoring between 6,500 and 9,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 for aerial mapping and remote sensing of invasive guinea grass on Hilina Pali and coastal areas between sea level and 700 feet in elevation.
• Between 11 a.m. and noon Dec. 9 for ʻuaʻu monitoring between 6,500 and 9,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 8 a.m. and noon Dec. 16 for survey and control of invasive guinea grass on Hilina Pali from sea level to 700 feet in elevation.
• Between 7 and 11 a.m. Dec. 28 for survey and control of fountain grass from the park’s west boundary to Keauhou from sea level to 3,500 feet in elevation.

In addition, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory could conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.

The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.

Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and maintain backcountry facilities.