Kipuka
A kipuka is an area of vegetation which has been surrounded by a lava flow. In Hawaii, where native plants are scarce due to aggresive imports, kipukas such as these can provide an isolated refuge for less competitive island species. This kipuka is seen from the Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was taken on March 4, 2003, on our way up to the summit of Mauna Kea.