Several flight operations scheduled in February at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces the following flight operations for February:

• Between 7 and 8 a.m. Feb. 2 for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation.
• Between 8 and 11 a.m. Feb. 3 to map rapid ʻōhiʻa death in the east Kahuku paddocks, between 2,300 and 5,300 feet in elevation.
• Between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 6 for transporting native plants and water to support dry forest restoration efforts in lower Kahuku at 2,500-foor elevation.
• Between 9 and 10 a.m. Feb. 16 to sling load camp gear between the ʻŌlaʻa Koa unit and the agricultural station at 3,500 to 4,000 feet in elevation.

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.

In addition, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory could 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 visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.