Posted on: Wednesday, October 17, 2001

The September 11th attack
Major grower to send fewer Christmas trees to Hawai'i

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Grinch of terrorism may make for fewer Christmas trees in Hawai'i this year.

Ole Canamore, who grows fir trees for Hawai'i in Oregon and is one of the biggest suppliers of Christmas trees for the state, said he expects to ship about 15 percent fewer trees to Hawai'i this year than last.

The first trees will arrive in Honolulu from Seattle one month from today.

"The economy in your city seems a little quiet over there, and I hear you are having some layoffs," Canamore said, referring to tourism cutbacks since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "So we will be shipping probably 15 percent less, for my clients and our own retail lots."

Canamore's estimate contrasted with that from Matson Navigation spokesman Jeff Hull, who said volume from all tree shippers "appears to be about the same as last year."

Most of the trees in the first shipment are headed for the Neighbor Islands, store displays and early-bird merchants, Hull said.

The second, and largest, shipment is scheduled to reach Honolulu Nov. 24 — the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The third shipment arrives Dec. 1, while the last, and smallest, shipment is due Dec. 8.

Canamore said residents should buy and enjoy trees early rather than gamble on waiting until the last minute.

"If you keep them in water and in the shade, they'll last just fine," he said.

Prices are expected to be about the same as last year. That's $8 per foot for Douglas fir, $10 to $11 for Noble fir, and $9 to $10 for the fragrant Grand fir.

Advertiser staff writer Susan Hooper contributed to this report.