Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has scheduled flight operations for August 2021. 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.
August flight dates, times and locations are listed below:
August 5, 2021 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – for fence material sling loads within the ʻŌlaʻa tract between 3,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
August 9, 2021 between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m – to transport gear (one sling load) from the Maunaulu helispot to Nāpau Crater campground.
August 10, 2021 between 8 a.m. and noon – for survey and control invasive guinea grass and banana poka, on Mauna Loa and in the coastal back country from sea level to 5,000-ft. elevation.
August 11, 2021 between 8 a.m. and noon – for survey and control of invasive guinea grass and banana poka, on Mauna Loa and in the coastal back country from sea level to 5,000-ft. elevation.
August 12, 2021 between 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. – for invasive fountain grass survey and control from the park’s west boundary to Keauhou Trail, from sea level to 3,500-ft. elevation.
August 12, 2021 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – to transport gear from Nāpau Campground to the Maunaulu helispot.
August 16, 2021 between 6:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. – for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 4,000- to 6,000-ft. elevation.
August 16, 2021 between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. – for crew support sling loads in ʻŌlaʻa tract between 3,500- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
August 20, 2021 between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. – for crew support sling loads in ʻŌlaʻa tract between 3,500- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
August 23, 2021 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. – to transport gear from the Maunaulu helispot to the Nāpau Crater campground.
August 26, 2021 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – to transport gear from Nāpau Crater to the Maunaulu helispot.
August 31, 2021 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. – for ‘uʻau (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring on Mauna Loa, between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation.
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may also conduct flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
