Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has announced its December 2021 flight operations schedule.  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 back country.  Below is a detailed list of scheduled flight dates.  Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.

December 2 between 6 am and 7 am for ungulate survey in Kahuku between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.

December 2 between 7 am and 8 am for removal of fence materials at Great Crack between 2,000- and 4,000-ft. elevation.

December 2 between 8 am and 9 am. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring between 6,500- and 9,000-ft. elevation.

December 7 between 6:30 am and 7:30 am for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel) monitoring between 6,500- and 9,000-ft. elevation.

December 7 between 1 pm and 3 pm for aerial mapping and remote sensing of invasive guinea grass on Hilina Pali and coastal areas between sea level and 700-ft. elevation.

December 9 between 11 am and Noon, for ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel monitoring) between 6,500-and 9,000-ft. elevation.

December 16 between 8 am and Noon, for survey and control of invasive guinea grass on Hilina Pali from sea level to 700-ft. elevation.

December 28 between 7 am and 11 am for survey and control of fountain grass from the park’s west boundary to Keauhou, from sea level to 3,500-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.