Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park staff is setting out on an effort to develop an Air Tour Management Plan for the park's airspace. This map depicts flight paths air tour companies took over the park/NPS

They can be as annoying as mosquitoes, buzzing high overhead and encroaching on the national park experience for visitors on the ground. At Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the sounds of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft hauling "flight-seers" can intrude on those watching, and listening to, the eruptions within the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater of Kīlauea volcano or hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail.

But how great of an issue is the noise of air tours over Hawai'i Volcanoes? Does it also impact wildlife? Is it an intrusion on cultural values of the park? The National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration are heading into studies to answer those questions and are seeking public comment on a range of alternatives for managing the flights. 

The agencies encourage anyone with an interest in or concern about air tours over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to review and comment on the potential alternatives, which will be evaluated in an upcoming environmental assessment for the park’s Air Tour Management Plan. The potential alternatives include no change from current condition, restricting minimum altitudes, reducing the number of flights, limiting flight routes over sensitive areas, and prohibiting flights on specific days of the week.

An average of 11,376 flights a year occurred over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from 2017 to 2019. Only Grand Canyon National Park sees more air tours annually, according to the Hawai'i Volcanoes staff. Under the current approach to air tours at Hawai'i Volcanoes, there are no designated routes the aircraft must take, nor any no-fly zones, according to park documents.

Under alternative 2, the park would ban air tour flights below 5,000 feet above ground level and within a half-mile of the park boundaries.

Under alternative two under consideration, no flights could fly lower than 5,000 feet above ground level or within a half-mile of park boundaries/NPS

You can read the alternatives and comment through this website until April 1, 2022. 

"The draft plan is based on public feedback received in 2011 and data collected since then. We encourage everyone to review the range of alternatives and provide feedback to this important project,” said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “Our analysis will consider how best to balance protecting wildlife, natural soundscapes, wilderness character, and visitor enjoyment with managing air tours over the park. In addition, we recognize the cultural significance of Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes to the Native Hawaiian community, and the need for a peaceful soundscape for cultural practices. As part of this process we are actively engaged in consultations with Native Hawaiian organizations, individuals and other consulting parties.”

Incorporating input from Native Hawaiian organizations and individuals is an important part of this planning process. The agencies are consulting with those who attach historic and cultural significance to resources within the park. The public has expressed concerns about air tours over the park that include noise, privacy and ecological and cultural impacts. 

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is among 24 national parks developing air tour management plans in cooperation with the FAA.