Minn was one of many O'ahu residents who showed up at Manoa Recreation Center yesterday for a tree giveaway put on by the nonprofit community organization Malama o Manoa. The giveaway was scheduled to start at 9 a.m., but an hour earlier, the line of people waiting to grab one of the 1,200 trees snaked around the main building, said Malama Manoa president Dr. Jeremy Lam.

By 11:30 a.m., almost all of the trees were gone.

People had a choice of more than two dozen varieties of fruit, shade and native trees. Arborists and plant doctors were on hand to answer questions on how to plant and care for the trees.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 1 of Manoa helped load trees into cars, and each recipient got a free planting guide published by Hawaiian Electric Co., which views shade trees as an ally in energy efficiency.

"They plant a tree, have it grow and enhance the beauty of Honolulu and the community," said Lam. "Tourists don't want to come here and see cement."

Bernie Wonneberger, 43, an architectural engineer from Waipahu, said he agreed with Malama Manoa that urban forests on O'ahu are disappearing. "We're interested in having more trees around the home," he said.

Jim Rumford, a 55-year-old author from Manoa, said he hoped the giveaway would lead people to think twice before cutting down trees to build homes surrounded by cement.

"This is a way of getting people to think about the things we value in this valley, among which are tree-lined streets," he said.

The idea began with an effort last summer to save a 170-year-old hau tree at what used to be the summer palace of Queen Ka'ahumanu. An elderly woman living on the property was being pressured by her children to cut down the tree because it was expensive and difficult to maintain. Malama volunteers and Punahou School students pruned and cleaned up the tree, collecting 71 bags of trash.

From that tree, 50 to 100 cuttings were propagated, and those new trees were among those given away yesterday.

At the recreation center yesterday, young trees were grouped by type, and people crouched to inspect every limb before choosing a sapling.

State Rep. Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), said the giveaway promotes tree planting, which benefits families for generations to come. He said he hoped the giveaway would become an annual event.

"People come to Hawai'i for the incredible beauty and ethnic diversity," he said. "These trees add to that beauty."

Last year, Malama Manoa asked Caldwell to introduce a bill offering a tax deduction to residents who maintain exceptional trees. The bill passed last session and is now law.

Jeff Sult, 16, a Boy Scout helping out yesterday, said what he was learning about trees would help in the future.

"I certainly don't mind giving my time for a good cause," he said. "It is more interesting than my homework."