News Release

Notice of Flight Operations December 2020

Date: November 30, 2020
Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

Hawaiʻi National Park, HAWAIʻI – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces the following upcoming flight plans for December 2020:  

December 1 through 3, 2020, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., for petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa from Kīlauea to 9,000-ft. elevation.

December 8, between 8 a.m. and noon, to survey for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in the Kahuku Unit between 2,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.   

December 8, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., for backcountry trail maintenance along the Kaʻū Desert Trail between Hilina Pali Lookout and Pepeiao.

December 10, between 10 a.m. and noon to survey for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in the Thurston Special Ecological Area between 3,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.

December 15, between 8 a.m. and noon, for invasive fountain grass surveys and control along from the Kaʻū park boundary to Keauhou Trail, from sea level to 4,000-ft.elevation. 
 
In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct 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.
 

-NPS-