National park announces March flight operations

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announces the following flight plans for March:

• Between 7 a.m. and noon Tuesday and Wednesday (March 12-13) to fly supplies and crews for petrel monitoring between Mauna Loa at about 9,000-foot elevation and the rainshed at Kilauea summit.

• Between 7 a.m. and noon March 19 for fountain grass survey and control in the Ka‘u desert between sea level and 3,000-foot elevation.

• Between noon and 1 p.m. March 19 to transport fence material to Kapapala boundary nene pen.

• Between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. March 20 to transport fence material to the Ka‘u desert boundary between sea level and 3,000-foot elevation.

In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory might 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 maintain backcountry facilities.

For more information, contact the park at 985-6000.