Monday, December 19, 2011

All the Decorations are Set…..

 

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Its sad that we have to import Christmas trees from Washington and Oregon to get our holiday trees here in Hawaii. I’ve always been the opposite of having to cut down live trees and prop them up as decoration – although I do love xmas decorations during the holiday season.

 

 

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Living in Hawaii means having to be resourceful and believe it or not we do have or own version of the Christmas pine tree called the Norfolk or cook island pine known also as Araucaria heterophylla.  These trees originate from Norfolk Island and it grows very well in all tropical areas. In Hawaii outside of Christmas trees and landscaping the wood is extensively used by local craftspeople for making a variety of utilitarian and decorative items for the tourist trade.

 

Hoping to find some live potted plants that I could use and then eventually plant in my garden, I decided to go out and look for an actual tree farm.

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Not a good day for getting a christmas tree, there was a major tropical storm going on the entire week – it was a better day to spend indoors.  I wasn’t deterred and pressed to to finding some live plants. Just outside of Pahoa town is a grower that grows many types of tropicals (mostly anthuriums and orchids and I did buy quite a few wholesale) and these beautiful trees are actually cut down for anyone that wants a large tree. I find out later from the stumps new trees can grow back to full size in under four years which is just amazing.

 

 

 

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These pines can get really large, some growing over forty feet plus – a little to big for my small house.

 

Okay the rain was really dumping buckets at this point….and I mean buckets, so I run into one of the shade houses for cover and find the potted trees that are for sale….lets see which ones are talking to me to take home today.

 

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Since they are still small and in gallon containers that are practically cemented to the ground through their unrelenting tap roots. it took quite an effort to pull the plant roots out that suckered through the containers and through the ground shade cloth – didn’t think it would be just as difficult as cutting a tree.

 

I end up purchasing three trees for $8 each, one Charlie Brown tree and two short and stout versions, here’s the Charlie Brown tree finally decorated below.

 

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Here’s the shorter and stocky version that I transplanted into a five gallon container. I’ll keep this one potted and hopefully use again for next year so everyone can see the growth. (although these do not grow as aggressively in contained pots unlike the planted versions).

 

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Here’s the collection of anthuriums I picked up from the grower, it’s the center piece of

the table top display.

 

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The anthuriums again and ferns decorating the chandelier with red christmas ornaments.

 

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Its been fun getting back into the Christmas spirit and I’m glad I was able to use local trees and various ferns, orchids and greenery from my garden to complete the holiday look…now on to the festivities.

 

Have a safe and wonderful Christmas, thank you for following my plant fanatic blog and Happy New Year and gardening to all.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Shopping with a Mission

 

 

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On an island where we import over 90% of our products, its helpful to shop locally and buy local products whenever they are available. Luckily we do have an abundance of produce to supply our island and all the other Hawaiian Islands.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Parade Time in Pahoa

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To say that this is a totally zany parade is an understatement. Welcome to the Pahoa Christmas parade in East Hawaii, where you wont find the typical types of floats, people and Christmas cheer everywhere else.

 

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Here, we celebrate the unique, crazy and fun that happens to everyone in this neck of the woods and the parade, really manifests the entire spirit of this community.

 

Don’t you think this is different?

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I always love antique cars, especially when they are dressed in beautiful

flowers

 

 

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Look even Aunty Claus’ sister made a guest appearance today!

 

 

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I think this little tot, was going for the best float award in the parade, what a cutie!

 

 

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Plenty of free hugs to go around today from the teletubbies.

 

 

 

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Whats a parade without our local ukelele marching players?

 

 

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one of my favorite troups, Da Puna Wieners all dressed up…

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I’m dressed up and still looking for my treat, have you seen it?

 

 

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Roller derby is hot in East Hawaii, these are the champion Hilo derby girls.

 

 

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Past USO performer and still going strong, doing it for the Toys for tots drive, way to

go!

 

 

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Horses and tinsel, whats not to like?

 

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Chicken man is a well known attraction here in Pahoa town…want to buy a souvenir

chicken?

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Our local circus group, does a very colorful show with unicycles, twirlers and sweet kids.

 

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Our local version of santa on a sleigh, here he comes in a Big Yellow truck, courtesy of our

local fire department.

 

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That’s the Parade at Pahoa, hope you enjoyed the whole show, it was another

special parade for participants and marchers alike.

Friday, December 2, 2011

When it Rains in Hawaii -The Waterfalls are Amazing

 

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With the almost non-stop days of rain in East Hawaii, the plants around paradise are happy.

 

Even with the constant rain, its easy to be outside to do errands and still enjoy the day. Driving to a party at Honomu town, I decided to stop and visit the beautiful waterfalls at Akaka Falls. The falls should be amazing now with the rush of waters coming down from the higher elevations of Mauna Kea into the canyon gulches below before they flow into the Pacific ocean.

 

 

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Wasn’t I right?  Its is amazing to see this - sometimes you just need to take a

break from the everyday routines to enjoy the moment and nature around you.

Especially when it puts on such a spectacular display. 

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