The first large shipment of Christmas trees for the holiday season arrives today, and some dealers are promising low prices despite increased shipping and trucking costs.

Hawai'i's annual Christmas tree market in the past few years has swung between shortages, gluts and scrawny trees desiccated by Mainland drought.

In 2003, some retailers sold trees for as little as $1 just before Christmas to avoid getting stuck with too much inventory. Last year, they had the opposite problem and ran out, leaving some would-be customers to improvise and create their own "trees" from available materials.

This year, both suppliers and retailers say plentiful rain and good growing weather in the Pacific Northwest have produced fresh, healthy trees headed for Hawai'i.

But near-record-high gasoline and diesel prices and increased shipping rates have pushed up the cost of getting trees to lots in Hawai'i.

Richard Tajiri of Christmas Hawai'i, who has been selling trees for 29 years, said his average cost per tree has gone up $5 because of increased shipping and trucking costs.

Tajiri said he plans to offer 5- to 7-foot Douglas firs for $39 when he opens his annual business on Thanksgiving Day in the diamondhead end of the Ala Moana Center parking lot.

"I'm making $3 net (per tree), so this is going to be real interesting," Tajiri said.

Kmart's seven Hawai'i stores will offer 6- to 7-foot Douglas firs for $19.99 beginning Thanksgiving Day, said Bill Watkins, Kmart's district buyer.

Like other sellers, Kmart has faced increased shipping costs but promises to keep prices down for Douglas firs, the most popular tree in the Islands.

Although some sellers may increase their prices this year, Watkins said, "that's not for us."

The first shipment of fewer than 20 containers of trees from the Mainland arrived in Honolulu Harbor last Saturday and those trees were intended mostly for displays and Neighbor Island use, said Jeff Hull, Matson Navigation Co. spokesman.

The first large shipment of nearly 100 containers arrives today for retail sales, followed by a similar shipment next Saturday. A shipment of fewer than 20 containers — the final load expected for the season — arrives Dec. 3, Hull said.

"The trees are in great shape," said Ralph Nilssen, national sales manager for Kirk Co. of Tacoma, Wash., one of several growers that supply Hawai'i. "It's probably one of the best crops we've had in years. We've had a lot of late rain this year, which is always good. The trees are full of moisture, which is wonderful."

Nilssen estimated that 60 percent of Hawai'i buyers prefer Douglas firs, 35 percent choose noble firs, and 5 percent go for Frasers and grand firs.

Employees at Daiei's four Honolulu stores yesterday were "getting set up for the Christmas trees as we speak," said Melvin Yogi, Daiei's general merchandise buyer.

"We want to get them up before Thanksgiving because some people like to put them up early," Yogi said.

Last year, Daiei underpriced its trees, Yogi said. This year, with higher fuel and shipping costs, prices will be set "just at what the market will bear," he said.

"Last year there was a shortage," Yogi said. "This year, it's all fuel-related. We'll just have to keep some prices lower."

Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.