A new day dawns in the Polynesian paradise of Hawaii. Maile, living beneath the shadow of Kilauea, awakes to the rhythm of a new day. She scurries quickly to do the day's chores. Her parents are on the other side of the island, visiting Aunty Kehau for the weekend. That means that as soon as Maile is able to complete the mopping, washing, and dusting, it's off to the beach for the rest of the day! As Maile washes the morning's dishes, she gazes out the window up at the mountainous Kilauea, home of the fiery goddess Pele, and gives a small blessing, "Thank you, Pele, for sharing your beauty with us today. We must not take your terrible and wondrous power for granted." Abrubtly, the ground jolts beneath Maile's feet.