The Hawaiian Christmas Tree

Yesterday we went and got our Christmas tree at Helemano farms.  I had sold our fake tree in the garage sale, so last year we had an old (30 year) hand me down 3 foot tree from Jamie’s cousin.  (we were struggling a lot then).  Well this year, I really wanted to get a Hawaiian Christmas tree.  When I was young, one of my early memories of Christmas was going to the tree farm to get one of those trees.  It was fun, but in fact I hated how those trees looked!  I thought they looked weird.  I used to dream of those nice, lush noble firs that you see on tv.  Then the stores started carrying mainland trees and we stopped getting the Hawaiian trees. Then after I got married and moved away, I started using a fake tree. I guess I’m feeling nostalgic because I really wanted a Hawaiian one this year.  I wanted to buy local, support a local business, and actually get to pick out a tree and get it cut down.  (plus those mainland trees can introduce invasive species to the islands.)   I thought it would be fun for the kids.  When Jamie saw the trees he was unsure.  But Kainoa loved the experience!  He says the tree is beautiful!  I’m so happy and I’m starting to love how they look too.  A bit quirky, island style, maybe a cross between a palm tree and a Christmas tree.  Haha.  And even though it’s not a big, lush tree, I still love it and what it represents.   
“Locally grown…pick your own.”Cutting it down. Yay, our little tree!Kainoa’s jumping for joy.  Time to decorate!  The tree is really light so the heavy ornaments keep making it sway and go lopsided!  doink! It’s not fully decorated yet; I need to find a few more things.  I’ll post pictures of the final tree later.