Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announces January flight operations

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has several flight operations planned throughout this month for invasive species control, aerial mapping and more.

The flight schedule is as follows:

• Between 8 to 11 a.m. Jan. 7: Invasive guinea grass control work in the coastal backcountry, from sea level to 2,400-foot elevation.
• Between 7 and 11 a.m. Jan. 8: Aerial control and mapping of fountain grass, from the park’s west boundary to Keauhou and from sea level to 4,000-foot elevation.
• 6 to 11 a.m. Jan. 12: Native plant survey and seed collection in the southwest coastal backcountry, between sea level and 2,500-foot elevation.
• Time to be determined Jan. 13: Fence line survey and petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa, between 9,000- and 9,500-foot elevation.
• 6 to 8 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 13: Native plant monitoring in the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, between 2,500- and 3,500-foot elevation.
• Time to be determined Jan. 15: Control of invasive trees, from the park’s west boundary to Pepeiao, between 1,000- and 2,500-foot elevation.
• Between 6 and 11 a.m. Jan. 26 and 29: Native plant survey and seed collection in the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea volcano, between 1,500- and 2,500-foot elevation.
• 6 to 8 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 27: Native plant survey and seed collection in the ‘Ōlaʻa Tract between 3,500- and 4,500-foot elevation.
• Time to be determined Jan. 28: Fence material transport on Mauna Loa, between 9,000- and 9,500-foot elevation.

Management of the park requires aircraft for:

• Monitoring and researching volcanic activity.
• Conducting search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations.
• Supporting management of natural and cultural resources.
• Maintaining backcountry facilities.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory can also 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,” said officials in announcing the flight operations before reminding everyone that dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.