Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park flight operations for May

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has announced flight operations for the month of May.

• May 1 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at Great Crack fence line for removal of old fence material between 2,500- and 1,000-ft. elevation.
  
• May 4 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Great Crack fence line for removal of old fence material between 2,500- and 1,000-ft. elevation.
  
• May 5 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for survey of invasive fountain grass in the Kahuku-Pōhue area between sea level and 2,000-ft. elevation.
  
• May 9 between 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000- to 9,000-ft. elevation and for fountain grass control and mapping from the park’s west boundary to Keauhou from sea level to 4,000-ft. elevation.
  
• May 10 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa, from 4,000-ft. to 9,000-ft. elevation.

In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey will conduct several low-level helicopter flights in May over Kīlauea caldera, the volcano’s summit area and rift zones:

• May 3 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. multiple flights are planned by the U.S. Geological Survey to deploy temporary seismic instruments in areas west of Kīlauea summit and south of the caldera, between 3,000- and 4,000-ft elevation. Similar missions may occur later this month, exact dates and times to be determined.

The U.S. Geological Survey may conduct additional 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 to maintain backcountry facilities.