[ ...from Dec. 16, 2003; as today is a very busy one again. ]
Going upcountry in a little while, to work on the house for the day. Here’s the view from the lower part of the Hawaiian Homelands looking directly above, towards the peak of Haleakala (click on image, for more detail):
You can tell it’s a generally dry area (there are lots of cactus plants like that all over), though the recent early ‘winter’ rains have blessed the land with a mossy green carpet. The round green structure to the right of mid-ground center is the Homelands’ water tank reservoir.
The green belt of trees is a redwoods forest, Polipoli State Park, where I’ll be taking Pono hiking soon, sometime during the Christmas break. Above the forest beyond the treeline looms the edge of the volcano, outlined against the sky. The bump midway up is, I believe, Pu’u Ula’ula (Red Hill, a cinder cone). I’ve always wanted to hike that ridge, along the Skyline Trail, which rises all the way up to the volcano’s summit. Perhaps during spring break, when some mainland mentees might come visit. 
Skye perched in some furniture this morning, to the endless delight of mom and dad:
