Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announced Friday upcoming flight plans for August.
Park management 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.
Upcoming flight operations are expected:
• Between 6 and 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5, to transport gear and crew members from the Mauna Loa Road staging area to Red Hill Cabin and transport gear from the Mauna Loa Road staging area to a site near 9,000-foot elevation.
• Between 6 and 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, to transport crew from about 9,000 feet on Mauna Loa to the Mauna Loa Road staging area.
• Between 6 and 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12, from the Mauna Loa Road staging area to the east side of Moku‘aweoweo about the 13,000-foot elevation.
• Between 6 and 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, to transport crew from Red Hill Cabin and retrieve gear to the Mauna Loa Road staging area.
• Between 8 a.m. and noon and 2 and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, for invasive Guinea grass surveys and control along Keauhou Trail, from the coast to 2,000-foot elevation.
Throughout August (dates will vary), a USGS contractor will deploy LIDAR (light, detection and ranging) technology over Kilauea summit and the Southwest Rift Zone. Data gathered will be used to document and map ground changes resulting from last year’s major summit collapse events. Flights will be slow and repetitive “lawnmower” grids at about 1,300 feet above ground level to as low as 500 feet above ground level.
The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
