Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announces the following upcoming flight plans for December:
• Between 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 2 and between 10 a.m. and noon Dec. 5 to shuttle crew and equipment from Chain of Craters Road at 2,000-foot elevation to Apua, Keauhou and Halape beaches, and extract hawksbill turtle monitoring equipment.
• Between 7 a.m. and noon Dec. 3 and 5 for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa between 8,000- and 9,000-foot elevation.
• Between 6 and 8:30 a.m. Dec. 3-4 for crew and equipment transport to the Kahuku-Kapapala boundary between 5,000- and 9,000-foot elevation.
• Between 6 and 8:30 a.m. Dec. 10 for ungulate surveys near the Ka‘u desert boundary between sea level and 1,500-foot elevation.
• Between 7 a.m. and noon Dec. 10 for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea on Mauna Loa between 8,000- and 9,000-foot elevation.
• Between 8 and 10 a.m. Dec. 10 and 13 for transport of field equipment from the end of Hilina Pali Road to Pepeiao Cabin for vegetation monitoring.
• Between 9 a.m. and noon Dec. 17 for transport of fence material and field equipment from the Olaa Tract.
• Between 6 and 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18 for ungulate surveys near Mauna Loa Road from 4,000- to 9,000-foot elevation.
• Between 8 and 11 a.m. Dec. 19 for transport of fence material and field equipment from the Kipuka Ki and Keauhou-Ka‘u boundary to 4,000-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 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.
