Flight operations scheduled for management of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has flight operations scheduled for the early days of September.

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, according to a press release from the national park.

The flight schedule and the work to be performed are listed below.

• Sept. 3 between 8 and 11 a.m. for survey, control, and eradication of invasive guinea grass along Keauhou Trail between ʻĀinahou and the Keauhou backcountry campsite, between 100 and 2,400 feet elevation.

• Sept. 3 between 11 a.m. and noon for aviation external load training at Mauna Loa quarry at 3,900 feet. elevation.

• Sept. 4 between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for external sling loads of tools, equipment and camping gear between Mauna Loa Road and the Mauna Loa fence project between 6,300 and 9,000 feet elevation.

• Sept. 4 between 8 and 11 a.m. for survey and control of banana poka in the Mauna Loa burn area between 3,800 and 6,800 feet elevation west of Mauna Loa Road.

• Sept. 9 between 6 and 8:30 a.m. for ungulate survey in the Kaʻū Desert between 500 and 4,000 feet elevation.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.

Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.