HAWAI'I KAI — When he bought his home on 'Aipo Street some 30 years ago, Joseph Aranio planted a Norfolk Island pine sapling in his front yard with the dream that it would someday grow tall enough to decorate at Christmas.

Aranio never put an ornament on the tree. But yesterday, as a chain saw carved through the trunk of the now 70-foot tree, Aranio knew his dream would come true.

The tree is destined for Honolulu Hale and will serve as the city's official Christmas tree.

"It was knee-high when I planted it," Aranio said. "I thought it would only grow to Christmas tree height. I planted it to decorate it.

"I'm happy that lots of people will be able to enjoy the tree."

The tree is one of two that the city will cut down this year to be decorated for the holidays. The other will come from Wayne and Leslie Lewis' home in Mililani and will be on display at the city's Kapolei Hale. This is the first year that Kapolei Hale is to have more than just some holiday lights.

A city crew will be in front of the Lewises' home on Monday to remove the tree that Leslie Lewis said was one of the main reasons she and her husband purchased the home in 2001. The tree also served as a landmark when giving directions, she said.

"But there's cracks developing in the wall," she said. "We'd like to see our tree put to good use."

The city has been reaching out to the community for more than 20 years to find the perfect tree for Honolulu Hale. Each year, residents call the city to donate their tree, but there are strict guidelines to be followed, said Stan Oka, city Department of Parks and Recreation division of urban forestry administrator. This year more than 40 people called to donate their trees, Oka said.

"We look for straight trees that are symmetrical and accessible on wide streets that don't have overhead wires and in a front yard or on a corner," Oka said. "Usually in late October or early November, we select the best one."

Trees come from all over the island to become the centerpiece of the city's holiday display each year. Crews have cut down pines from Kahalu'u, Kahala, Kailua and Kapahulu, Oka said. This year, Honolulu's celebration will kick off Dec. 3; Kapolei's, a week later on Dec. 10.

Yesterday, 40 city workers each had a job to do. Some erected barricades, others blocked off the street, others attached the giant hook and collar from the crane to the middle of the tree. One man, operating a chain saw, cut it down, while the crane operator and three men holding thick ropes held the tree steady as it was placed on flatbed truck specially outfitted with sawhorses designed to carry the tree.

After 2 1/2 hours, the tree rolled out of the neighborhood of mostly older homes under the eye of motorcycle police officers.

"I don't think we'll plant another tree there," said Aranio's sister-in-law, Doreen Aranio. "It's a healthy tree, but I was worried that the tree could topple down and hurt someone."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.