Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has announced its January 2022 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.
January 4, 2022 between 10 am and 12 pm for survey and collection of aerial imagery to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and other invasive species in Kahuku, between 2,000- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
January 5, 2022 between 8 am and 11 am for survey and control of invasive banana poka on Mauna Loa, between 4000- and 5,000-ft. elevation.
January 6, 2022 between 10 am and 12 pm for survey and collection of aerial imagery to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and other invasive species, between 3,500- and 4,500-ft. elevation.
January 10, 2022 between 10 am and 1 pm to transport sling loads and staff for invasive guinea grass control work in the coastal backcountry, between 70- and 2,400-ft. elevation.
January 13, 2022 between 9 am and 12 pm to transport sling loads and staff for invasive guinea grass control work in the coastal backcountry, between 70- and 2,400-ft. elevation.
January 20, 2022 from 7 am to 11 am for aerial control and mapping of fountain grass from the parkʻs west boundary to Keauhou, between sea level and 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.