The Christmas spirit was alive and well yesterday at the makai-ewa end of Ala Moana Center, where hundreds gathered to get their last crack at a live, traditional fir tree this holiday season.

Some waited in line for nearly eight hours, but there was cheerfulness mixed in with the desperation among the last-minute tree shoppers. There was applause and a roar when the ropes were finally opened, allowing the first group of buyers in.

With reports of O'ahu Christmas tree retailers running out of Noble, Grand and Douglas firs from late last week, longtime holiday tree seller Richard Tajiri was able to fly in 700 trees from Oregon yesterday for those still in search of a tree with that piney scent. Tajiri said people began arriving in the parking lot at 4 a.m. but he told them the line would not be formed until 6.

By early afternoon, so many people were in the line that snaked through the parking lot that Ala Moana management told Tajiri he would either have to start selling earlier than his announced 3 p.m. opening or hire traffic security for the day.

"I didn't want to do it but I had to," Tajiri said after opening for business just before 2 p.m. Letting in people a dozen or two at a time, 112 people had come through after the first half-hour.

At 6:30 p.m., Tajiri was down to his last 75 trees and he expected to sell out within two hours.

Nu'uanu resident Kim Tseu said that after her husband, Kimo, explained to 5-year-old granddaughter Ema Ka'ulula'au that the shortage would leave them without a fresh tree this year, the young girl began praying for one.

"It symbolizes Christmas to her — the smell, the lights and the presents under the tree," said Tseu, a postal clerk who went to Ala Moana after her shift ended. "So God answered her prayers."

In line, Tseu befriended a host of others who found themselves brought together by their desire for a tree. Among them was Kapahulu resident Cathy Fuller, 54.

Fuller, a courts worker who had the day off, waited until the last minute "because I listened to my husband," she said. "He thought the tree would die (if bought too early). I'll never listen to him again."

Wayne Izumi, 58, of Käne'ohe also listened to his spouse. An investigator with the state attorney general's office, Izumi had called in sick with a cold yesterday. But his wife woke him up yesterday morning after she learned about Tajiri's incoming supply.

Izumi got dressed, was in line by 7 a.m. and called his office to tell them that he was now taking a day off rather than a sick day.

"It's incredible what fear can do to a person," he quipped, adding that he was hopeful he'd at least get a nice dinner for the effort.

Tajiri charged $50 to $95 for Noble firs up to 6 feet tall, $65 to $85 for Grand firs up to 6 feet, and $65 for Douglas firs up to 6 feet.

Stephanie Redmond, 50, a Nu'uanu flight attendant, said the $95 she paid for her 5- to 6-foot Noble is more than she would normally pay.

"But they had to air freight it," she said. "We're just thankful to Richard."

Niu Valley resident Nai-noa Basdavanos, 20, said he was prepared to stay overnight after his shift at Roy's restaurant in Hawai'i Kai on Wednesday night.

But seeing no one else around, he went home. Basdavanos said he then was hoping to get back in line by 4 a.m. yesterday, but overslept. He still managed to get there by 8:30 a.m. and was among the first 50 people.

"It's a big deal for me," Basdavanos said about getting a real Christmas tree and the holiday season in general.

Britt Matsumoto, 37, a Hawai'i Kai registered nurse, said she and her husband didn't even realize how important it was to get a fresh tree until their kids started inquiring.

Matsumoto said she thought about buying a Norfolk pine from Helemano Farms at Whitmore Village in Wahiawä. Ultimately, she said, it came down largely to the need for the Christmas tree smell, she said.

Pat O'Brien, whose family owns Helemano, said the company has been selling 100 Norfolk pines a day since opening at the end of November. That's about 30 percent better than other businesses, she said.

But with 15,000 trees in the ground, O'Brien said didn't expect to run out. Helemano will close, however, after Tuesday.

In Waimänalo, Yamashita Nursery owner Norman Yamashita said he had about 30 potted Norfolk pines as of last night. Yamashita said he is open 365 days a year, including Christmas Day.