Alex Lacki hopped up on a delivery truck frame, wrapped his fingers around the lower branches of a 10-foot-tall Christmas tree and pulled strenuously. ADVERTISING Alex Lacki hopped up on a delivery truck frame, wrapped his fingers around the lower
Alex Lacki hopped up on a delivery truck frame, wrapped his fingers around the lower branches of a 10-foot-tall Christmas tree and pulled strenuously.
One National Guard Youth Challenge Academy volunteer prepared to carry the tree once Lacki loosened it and two others, inside the truck, helped wrestle the tree free.
About 90 volunteers total from the Youth Challenge Academy, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council and HOPE Services will help in the coming days as Christmas tree sales kick into high gear throughout the community.
Hilo Y’s Men and Women Service Club trees go on sale to the public Friday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. at Ben Franklin, with pre-orders available to pick up starting Wednesday. Tree varieties include grand, noble and Nordmann firs. Public sales are Monday through Friday while supplies last.
Funds raised go to the Hilo Y, and the club also undertakes service projects, such as funding nets to protect youngsters around the globe from malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Monday morning, rain poured heavy as volunteers did their work undaunted at Ben Franklin.
Bobby Stivers-Apiki, club co-chairman, said the first tree sales began in 1938, making 2016 the 67th consecutive year.
“We now have grandparents bringing their grandchildren where they came and bought Christmas trees,” he said. “So, we’re seeing three generations at this point.”
The fundraiser’s tree prices range from $25 to $240 each, depending on size and type. Trees range from 3 to 10 feet tall.
The club received a total of 456 trees. This year, 90 trees were pre-ordered, about double the number pre-ordered last year.
“Which is excellent, excellent, excellent,” Stivers-Apiki said.
Youth Challenge Academy program volunteer Brandon Branco said he participated Monday “to serve my community and just help out.”
“This is my first time doing this. I enjoy it,” he said. “It’s pretty fun. I get to see all different kinds of trees and stuff.”
Youth Challenge Academy program instructor Matthew Libao said each cadet must complete 100 hours of community service to complete the program and graduate with a degree equivalent to a high school diploma. Cadets learn teamwork, respect and skill sets such as how to communicate with strangers.
“A lot of them don’t get out to do these types of things,” Libao said.
The program, said counselor Paul Banasihan, “makes them feel good and that they made a difference.”
KTA Super Stores’ Puainako location received about 400 trees, said cashier Nicole Minato.
Prices range from about $60 to $100, depending on size and type. KTA has Douglas, grand, noble and Nordmann firs and the tree shop will be open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, with normal hours of 9 a.m.-9 p.m. after the holiday.
Paradise Plants will offer potted, live plants.
“We’re moving toward sustainability for the Christmas trees,” said owner Lesley Hill. Live-plant prices will range from about $13 to about $60, depending on size and type. Paradise plans to offer Blue Point Junipers, Lemon-scented cypress and Norfolk pines with pots as small as 4 inches.
Paradise will offer garlands, leaves and arrangements of greens, with the goal of offering scents for those who want them.
Home Depot also is offering trees, staring at about $30. They’ll include nobles, Nordmann and Douglas firs, according to a department manager. Home Depot will offer wrapping, loading, cutting and trimming. Trees will be available there for public sale by Friday.
Wal-Mart cut trees became available last week and can be purchased 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
Varieties include noble and Douglas firs. Prices range from about $24 to about $90, with tree height ranging from 3 feet to 9 feet.
Email Jeff Hansel at jhansel@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
