One of my favorite things we've done so far has been to hike through Haleakela, which is Polynesian for House of the Sun. It is an erosional valley atop a dormant volcano and is absolutley one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and will probably ever go. The plant to the left is an endangered shrub endemic to this particular valley. Called the Silver Sword, it survives in the parched climate because the chemical that gives it its silver color is actually a natural version of sunscreen. This prevents both damage to the plant tissue from the unbelievably intense sunlight and aids in water conservation in the extremely xeric environment. 
A view of most of the valley.
Haleakela sits above 10,000 feet and thusly above the clouds.
Mikey.
The desert gives way to tropical dry forest vegetation as one comes around the corner of the mountain that blocks and absorbs most of the moisture brought in by the wind. Wind is the only purveyor of precipitation in the valley which recieves no rain.
The mountain has switchbacks cut into the side of it for hiking purposes.
A lichen found wherever the moisture available is to be found.
Lava vent coming up out of the floor of the volcano.
The moisture brought in by the wind falls on this hill, but does not make it to those in the distance, hence the patterns of vegetation are governed by the movements of wind around the various geographical features of the valley.
Final stage of the silver swords life cycle.
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