Monthly flight operation schedule released for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces flight operations for June.

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.

Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. The schedule is as follows:

June 4 and 7 between 6:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa, between 4,000- and 9,000 feet elevation.

June 6 between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., for vegetation surveys in the Kahuku Unit between 5,000- and 7,000 feet elevation.

June 24 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. for survey and control of banana poka on Mauna Loa between 3,800- and 6,800-foot elevation.

June 27 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. for invasive guinea grass control work in the coastal backcountry from sea level to 2,400 feet elevation.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.