Protect Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks!
Air tours disrupt visitors and hurt wildlife.
The National Park Service (NPS) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have allowed thousands of noisy helicopter tours over the skies at Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala. Low-flying commercial air tours interfere with those experiencing the natural sounds, healthy wildlife populations, and Native Hawaiian cultural resources.
NPS and FAA are trying to continue allowing air tours, even though they know helicopters disrupt visitor experiences and harm wildlife. Please urge them to protect Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks, its wildlife, and the visitors who enjoy them.
Dear National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration,
National parks are places I go to appreciate scenery and history, watch wildlife, and enjoy interpretation. Air tours should be prohibited over Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks.
For both parks, commercial air tours have been shattering the natural sounds that visitors come to enjoy. Air tours are in direct conflict with hiking trails, visitor centers, and the wilderness experience.
Noise generated by air tours severely impacts wildlife, including birds that only live in Hawaii. Both parks are home to over 50 endangered and threatened species—many only live on these islands.
We go to national parks to escape the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives—to appreciate nature and learn about our culture. Noisy air tours should not be allowed to ruin visitor experiences and harm wildlife. The National Park Service says the choice (Alternative 2) to eliminate air tours "offers the greatest protection of visitor use and experience" in Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala. We shouldn't pick anything less than the "greatest protection" for our parks.
Sincerely,
[your name]
