"Our account is approximately 4,400 trees," says JR Costa with Richard Tajiri’s Christmas Hawaii.
Tall ones, green ones, even snow flocked ones – all getting the finishing touches before shipping out to commercial businesses across Oahu.
Tajiri’s unloaded 200 trees Saturday and Sunday at their Kalihi warehouse with seven more containers coming in this week.
"We’ve been informed by Ala Moana that people are calling ‘When are we going to start selling?’ We’ve had people come by who want to buy our commercial deliveries, so I think the public is ready," says Costa.
Don Quijote in Pearl City has already set up to sell and buyers didn’t hesitate.
"We’re not going to miss the boat this year," says Micki Matsumoto, Aiea resident.
That’s because last year Matsumoto and her family were without a Christmas tree. Many stores across the state sold out early.
"Well we’re leaving for Las Vegas next week so we figure we get it now while we can," says Mel Miyano.
"You have to buy a tree before Christmas comes," says 7 year-old Erika Young.
Erika helped her dad pick out this fresh and fragrant fir tree.
"My dad didn’t want to buy an expensive one, you know, because the prices are going up," she says.
Retailers say the cost of a Christmas tree will be only slightly higher than last year, with prices starting at $20.
"I didn’t want to spend too much on the tree, everyone knows the economy is still slow but for the little children it’s worth it," says Glenn Young. "It’s not Christmas without a Christmas tree."
120,000 trees were shipped into the state last year. Tajiri’s expects about the same number this season.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
