HVNP Announces August Flight Operations

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is notifying the public about upcoming flight operations in August.

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.

August flight operations are as follows:

• Between 10 a.m. and noon Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the Mauna Loa Road quarry for aviation management training.
• Between 6:30 a.m. and noon Aug. 8 and 11 for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 8, 12 and 29 for camp set up and removal of old fence material in the Koa Unit of ʻŌlaʻa forest, between 3,500 and 4,500 feet in elevation.
• Between 6:30 and 11:30 a.m. Aug. 9 for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 4,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation. In addition, flights will occur for survey, control and eradication of banana poka on Mauna Loa between 3,800 and 6,800 feet in elevation.
• Between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Aug. 10 for invasive tree control in the Ka’ū Desert and Pepeiao area, between 1,000 and 3,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 10 a.m. and noon Aug. 14, 17 and 21 for maintenance on the Mauna Loa cabin luas, between 10,500 and 13,200 feet in elevation.

In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey will be finishing low-level helicopter flights in early August that will cover Kīlauea volcano. The USGS also might conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation. Dates and times of flight operations are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.

“The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors,” said a press release from the national park.

Visit the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website for more information.