HONOLULU -- Nearly 40 containers of Christmas trees are on the docks at Honolulu harbor Wednesday.

They arrived this weekend, ordered by many retail stores on Oahu and on the neighbor islands.

Early indications from the Pacific Northwest are that demand for trees will be down this season. In Hawaii, that may mean fewer trees on the island and that could pose a dilemma.

If one is purchased too early it may not last the season and if consumers wait too long, the stores may run out of trees.

Tree farmers in Oregon and Washington are reporting a good supply of trees this year, but demand could be a little shaky. Some said they are bracing for a 10 percent decline in sales.

Long-time tree shipper Richard Tajiri said he cut back his orders by 25 percent anticipating a much softer market this season.

His recalled a bad experience getting stuck with trees he couldn't sell five years ago. So he said he is being extra cautious.

"Talking to people they are downsizing like crazy. People who have been buying 10-foot trees for 30 years are now buying 8 footers and the hotels cut back too. [They're] not buying as many trees as last year," said Tajiri.

Tajiri said he has personally selected lots of 4- to 5-foot trees and about 500 table toppers twice what he has traditionally brought in.

The general tree rush won't start until after Thanksgiving.

State inspectors still have to make sure the containers aren't bringing in too many unwanted pests.

In Hawaii, where families like to decorate early, the feeling seems to be less lavish, more small scale.

"Money is tight, trying to pay for school and things -- so hopefully we can get one this year," said Honolulu resident Isabel Bonet.

A Molokai resident said he has already ordered his tree and it will be about four to five feet, much shorter than in years past.

"We have a high roof house so we usually like to get a large one, but not this year," said Steve Price.

Tajiri said if demand picks up he's made arrangements to have a shipment on standby.

Matson shipping lines said right now, it's expecting three more tree shipments with the last on Dec. 5.

So far, Don Quijote store chain is advertising trees for sale starting this weekend. Most stores will have them the day after Thanksgiving.