A low-flying helicopter under contract to the U.S. Geological Survey will conduct a light detection and ranging (lidar) survey of Kilauea Volcano, primarily the summit and East Rift Zone areas, to document changes that occurred during last year’s Kilauea volcanic activity.

The survey will take eight to 10 days and is scheduled for June 13-30, weather permitting.

Lidar is considered the best way to detect and map vertical or near-vertical features, such as fissures, ground cracks and caldera walls. Data acquired during this survey can be used to model likely paths that lava flows might take during future eruptions, which can help mitigate lava flow hazards.

Residents near the summit and along the East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano should expect to see and hear a low-flying, bright yellow helicopter flying back and forth in a northeast-southwest direction over preplanned flight lines. A helicopter is necessary to conduct a high-resolution lidar survey and to collect digital multispectral images to document changes that occurred during the 2018 Kilauea volcanic activity.

The USGS asks residents for their patience and understanding regarding the helicopter noise as it completes the survey.

Most flights will be at an altitude of about 1,300 feet above ground level. However, in a few East Rift Zone areas (Leilani Estates, Alaili Road, Puu Oo), at the summit caldera and on the upper Southwest Rift Zone, flights will be at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level.

County closes Hilo park favored by homeless

Hawaii County has temporarily closed a downtown Hilo park favored by homeless people as part of a “deep sanitization” to clean up litter and feces in the grassy waterfront space.

Mooheau Park closed Friday. It was not known when it will reopen, but Maurice Messina, deputy director of parks and recreation, predicted the closure would not last for more than a few days.

Mayor Harry Kim said the county needs to make sure the park is safe for families, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.

“It’s way past time — and I stress way past time,” he said. “We got to put our foot down.”

Kim added, “We need to remind everyone that this is our home. It’s not their toilet, it’s not their camping ground, this is not your rubbish dump.”

The county needed to take action quickly because families and visitors were in an unclean environment, said Messina.

The problems have gotten worse and overwhelmed park maintenance staff, he said.

Workers will pressure-wash and scrub the park as well as pick up trash, he said. Messina described the cleanup as a “deep sanitization.”

Sports teams and others with permits still may access the park during the closure. The park encompasses a commuter parking lot, practice fields and a bandstand.

Messina said a security guard will be posted at the park after it reopens.