Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces flight plans for November 2020:
- November 3, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., for fence material sling loads along the Kahuku Unit boundary around the 5,500-ft. elevation contour.
- November 10, between 6:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., for ungulate surveys and control work in the Kahuku Unit between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
- November 23, between 8 a.m. and noon, for invasive guinea grass surveys and control along Keauhou Trail, from the coast to 2,000-ft. elevation.
- November 23 and 25, between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., for petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa from Kīlauea to 9,000-ft. elevation.
- November 23 and 25, between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m, to transport camp gear to ‘Ōla‘a-Koa Unit between 3,500- & 4,000-ft. elevation.
- November 25, between 8 a.m. and noon, for invasive banana poka survey and control near Mauna Loa Road between 5,000-ft. and 6,400-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.