We drove out to Wahiawa this Christmas to get our tree because we decided we wanted a Norfolk pine in a pot. Throwing away dead Christmas trees made my wife sad. Also, we had read plenty about imported Christmas trees bearing nasty bugs that can hurt Hawaii's fragile ecosystem. Helemano Farms is where we went and we were very happy with the result. For visitors that want Xmas but not the full-blown tree, a pine-in-a-pot is the poifect solution.

The farm has 15,000 Norfolk Pines, hardy trees that can grow just about anywhere. They also sell potted pines which do just fine with water and TLC. Whacking a living tree doesn't make you queasy? You and the kids can drive through the fields, pick a tree and the farm hands will cut it down for you on the spot. Prices are quite reasonable -- in line with trees sold around the island. Aside from discouraging pests, buying an island-grown tree also saves energy and greenhouse gas emissions involved in trucking trees to ports on the mainland, shipping them over by boat, then moving them by truck again on Oahu. Only 9 days left to buy one! Best of all, the plantation never runs out!

Helemano Plantation
$30-$80 depending on height /
M-F 2 p.m. to sundown, Sat-Sun: 10 am. to sundown
808-622-4287 / Map

—Alex, 12/15/06