Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announced its September 2023 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

September 5 between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. for ungulate survey at Kahuku between 4,000 and 6,000-ft. elevation.

September 11 and 15 between 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 4,000 ft and 9,000-ft elevation.

September 14 between 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for Fountain Grass control and monitoring from the park’s west boundary to Keauhou and from sea level to 3,500-ft elevation.

September 18 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. multiple flights are planned by U.S. Gelological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) to retrieve temporary seismic instruments on Kīlauea caldera floor around 4,000-ft. elevation.

September 18 and 21 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for Red Hill Cabin repairs and waste removal on Mauna Loa between 8,500 ft and 10,000-ft elevation.

September 19 between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for ungulate survey at Kahuku between 4,000 and 6,000-ft. elevation and for invasive tree control and monitoring in the Ka’ū dessert from 1,000 to 2400-ft. elevation.

The USGS may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.

Photo credit: HVNP