News Release

Notice of Flight Operations August 2020

Date: August 3, 2020
Contact: Jessica Ferracane, Public Affairs Specialist, 808-985-6018

Hawaii National Park, HAWAI‘I – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces flight plans for August 2020:  

• August 5, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., to survey for Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death (ROD) in the ‘Ola‘a Rainforest Unit between 3,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.   
• August 5, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for invasive banana poka surveys and control on Mauna Loa Road between 5,000- and 6,400-ft. elevation. 
•  August 5, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., for petrel monitoring between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.  
•  August 6, between 8 a.m. and noon, for invasive guinea grass surveys and control along Keauhou Trail, from the coast to 2,000-ft. elevation. 
•  August 11, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., for petrel monitoring between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.  
•  August 17, between 9 a.m. and noon, to transport fencing material and camping gear into the ‘Ola‘a Unit between 3,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation. 
•   August 20, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., to pick up fence and camping gear from the ‘Ola‘a Unit between 3,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
•  August 25 and 27, between 8 a.m. and  9 a.m., for petrel monitoring  between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.  
•  August 25, between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., for ungulate survey and control in Kahuku between 3,500-and 5,000-ft. elevation.

In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kilauea 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-