Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announces its upcoming flight plans for January 2020:
• Today, between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., for ungulate surveys near the Ka‘u boundary from sea level to 1,500-foot elevation.
• Wednesday-Thursday, between 7 a.m. and noon, for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa between 8,000- and 9,000-foot elevation.
• Wednesday, between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., for ungulate surveys near the Ka‘u desert boundary between sea level and 1,500-foot elevation.
• Jan. 27, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., for invasive banana poka surveys and control on Mauna Loa Road between 5,000- and 6,000-foot elevation.
• Jan. 28 between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku Unit, between 4,000- and 6,000-foot elevation.
• Jan. 28, between 10 a.m. and noon, to survey for rapid ohia seath in the Kahuku Unit between 2,000- and 4,000-foot 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.