Photo courtesy of Lynette Seto

The parish tree is bound for glory, bright lights and Christmas stardom.

St. Theresa’s pine is city’s Christmas tree

By Anna Weaver | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Honolulu Hale’s Christmas tree is a Catholic tree this year.

The 65-foot Norfolk pine that will be the focal point of the annual Honolulu City Lights decorations and activities at Honolulu Hale this year was taken from the Kalihi-Palama property of the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.

One of the parish sacristans, Brian Apo, said the tree was planted about 50 years ago to commemorate the construction of the present church, rectory and school buildings.

Before the City and County of Honolulu called the co-cathedral asking if it might part with its towering evergreen, the parish already had plans to cut it down because it was leaning and there were concerns about it falling over in a strong storm.

This is an auspicious year for the co-cathedral’s Norfolk pine to be selected as the Honolulu City Lights’ tree: the celebration is marking its 25th anniversary.