News Release

March 2023 Notice of Flight Operations

Date: February 27, 2023
Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces flight operations for March 2023: 

March 2 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for crew support sling loads in ʻŌlaʻa between 3,500- and 4,500-ft. elevation. 
 
March 8 between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for survey and control of invasive banana poka at the 3,800-ft. to the 6,800-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa. In addition, flights are planned for crew support at the Great Crack boundary fence line between 1,000- and 2,500-ft. elevation.

March 14 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. for survey and control of invasive guinea grass along Keauhou Trail from sea level to the 2,400-ft. elevation. 

March 22 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. multiple flights are planned to service the park’s radio repeater on Mauna Loa. A second mission to survey segments of Mauna Loa Trail impacted by the eruption and to post signs at backcountry cabins is also planned. 

In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may 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. 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.

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