Rail stations get Hawaiian names

Next stop, Keone‘ae.

A working group came up with Hawaiian names for the nine rail stations at the Ewa end of the line, intended to reflect the ancient culture and history of the surrounding area: Kualaka‘i, Keone‘ae, Honouliuli, Ho‘ae‘ae, Pouhala, Halaulani, Waiawa, Pu‘uloa and Halawa.

There’s plenty of time to learn what stations they stand for: Kroc Center, University of Hawaii at West Oahu, Ho‘opili, West Loch, Waipahu Transit Station, Leeward Community College, Pearl Highlands, Pearlridge Center and Aloha Stadium, respectively. Expect to give extra help to tourists, once the rail’s running.

No pine tree? How about a plumeria?

Christmas trees from the mainland will be in short supply this year due, in part, to summer heat that left the evergreens sunburned. City Mill has been advised to expect fewer fancy firs next year, too.

For those of us who will forgo the tradition, there’s always the option of going with what we’ve got. Holiday cheer works on palm trees and plumeria, too. Another option: check out the lighting of a 70-foot-tall Norfolk Pine — donated by a Waikele resident — at the 33rd Honolulu Hale’s City Lights ceremony, set for 6 p.m. Saturday at City Hall.