Louis-Claude de Saulses de Freycinet
Vol. 3, Histoire Naturelle: Botanique
910.4 F897, 910.4 F892F
1817-1820
The Freycinet circumnavigation, sponsored in part by the French Academy of Sciences, had carefully selected scientists and naturalists. The result was magnificent natural history atlases of the voyage around the world. This included full color plates or black and white botanical illustrations like Clermontia persicifolia or ʻŌhā wai. This plant is a shrub with white flowers. Although it is not endangered, it is hard to come by. The bottom photo is one of two atlases that were produced separately from the seven-volume text of the voyage.
Isabella Sinclair, "Mrs. Francis Jr."
580 si6F
1885
Isabella Sinclair or Mrs. Francis Jr. began her study of Hawaiian Plants and Flowers while living on Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. 44 of her best watercolors are presented in this book, and it is considered to be one of the most lavishly illustrated publications of Hawaiian flora of its time. These illustrations would not be superseded for more than 60 years.
The second image has plate 18 picturing Wiliwili or Erythrina sandwicensis, formerly E. monosperma. It is a species of tree in the pea family, and the only species of its kind to be endemic to Hawaiʻi. Wiliwili means "repeatedly twisted" in Hawaiian, and refers to the seedpods, which can be twisted to reveal the seeds. The branches of the Wiliwili are said to have been used with kukui roots to make a paint or sealant type for canoes.
Severin Bolster and J. A. Gonsalves
c. 1883
Kapa, made from pounding māmaki or wauke bark until it is a thin cloth, adorns this photo album. It was a stylistic choice of the time to cover books with kapa. This kapa-bound photo album explores 19th-century Hawaiʻi, including King Kalākaua’s coronation parade and ceremonies in 1883.
J. E. Evarts
c. 1880 [?]
This is a broadside called Algae of the Hawaiian Islands by J. E. Chamberlain (Jeremiah Evarts Chamberlain). It is unclear when exactly this broadside was published, but it appears in Thrums Hawaiian Annual in 1881. Chamberlain names some popular places for picking limu and talks about how older Hawaiian women were considered the experts on limu. He then goes on to name 64 types of limu from Andrews’ Hawaiian language dictionary and a list of scientific names. Chamberlain studied and collected limu.
Harry B. Soria, Jr.
John Clark Photograph Collection
June 1874
‘Ewa Beach Park on the west side of O‘ahu is a popular place to find edible seaweed, or limu. It often accumulates in large piles at the water’s edge, where it attracts many people to sort through the piles, looking for their favorites. Two of the most highly prized varieties are limu manauea, commonly called ogo, and limu wāwae‘iole. Today, a section of ʻEwa has been designated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources as the ʻEwa Limu Management Area where the public can harvest limu from 6am-6pm.
Aukake [August] 23, 1877
Abr. Kauahi
This article was published in Ka Lahui Hawaii on August 23, 1877, by Abraham Kauahi. He wanted to warn readers about a poisonous limu at Mūʻolea, Hāna, Maui. He discovered this because children who hung out at the tidepools and ate large amounts of small fish would pass out. A man from Hōnaunau, Hawaiʻi, later visited who was familiar with this poisonous limu. He found this out by rubbing this limu on ʻuala. Pigs would then eat this ʻuala, vomit, and die. The author warns that if you touch this limu, your hand will fall off.
Kalakaua's version
398.3 K96a
HHS holds two printed versions of the Kumulipo that were published in the 19th century.
Translated by Liliʻuokalani, 1897
In the first wā, the sea urchins and limu (seaweed) were born. The limu was connected through its name to the land ferns. Some of these limu and fern pairs include: Limu Kala and ʻakala berry. These plants were born to protect their sea cousins.
In the fifth wā, Kalo (taro) is born. The kalo plant is the elder brother of mankind. As the elder brother, kalo nourishes us, and we, in return, must respect and care for the kalo.
Maccaughey Vaaghan, Joseph S. Emerson, and Gerrit Parmele Wilder
MS 633.4 W64
Bulletin 84 was published in 1939 by Whitney, Bowers, and Takahashi. This publication contains detailed descriptions of 84 varieties of taro found in Hawai‘i. However, what is interesting to note is that this manuscript lists 180 varieties prior to the 1939 bulletin.
Hawaiian Taro Products, Ltd.
1939
MS Hawaiian Taro Products
Even after 50 years, the same verbiage wrapped up in a “scientifically pure” soluble powder, Hawaiian Taro-Lactin was a quick energy replacer and meal supplement comparable to the ever-popular international drink, Ovaltine. Taro-Lactin was highly recommended by pediatricians and had undergone extensive research at the Queen's Hospital.
Hawaiian Taro Products, Ltd.
1939
MS Hawaiian Taro Products
Supposedly, this is the last known copy of this promotional brochure promoting the benefits of poi and taro from doctors and other experts on the benefits of treating seasickness, healthy infants, and “delerium tremens,” otherwise known as withdrawals. In theory, taro flour would be the hangover cure!
Paul Emmert
Lithograph by Britton & Rey, San Francisco
1854
Residence of Dr. William Hillebrand in Nuʻuanu. However, in 1855, Dr. Hillebrand leased land in Waikahalulu from Queen Kalama. He collects close to 160 botanical species and grows them on this land. He left Hawaii in 1871. His house can be seen in the bottom right corner.
W. F. Hillebrand
1888
In 1886, he completed his horticulture writings from Hawaii. After his death, his son published in 1888 and dedicated the book to the Hawaiian People.
By 1880, Thomas Foster purchased land, including Dr. Hillebrand's. After Thomas’ death in 1889, his wife and philanthropist, Mary Foster, purchased more acreage and sought professional assistance in reviving and adding to Dr. Hillebrand’s garden. No record of trees or plant species was ever conducted until 1916, with the assistance of botanist Dr. Joseph F. Rock.
Joseph F. Rock
Ultimately, Mary Foster bequeathed her home and garden to the City of Honolulu on December 19, 1930 with $10,000 and the provision that the city accept and forever keep and properly maintain the garden as a public and tropical park to be known and called Foster Park. Foster Park, now known as Foster’s Botanical Garden, opened on November 30, 1931.
Today, Foster’s Botanical Garden sits on about 20 acres from Mary’s 5.5 acres of gardens. It contains 25 out of 100 Exceptional Trees on Oʻahu and is home to both native Hawaiian plants and species from around the world.
History of the Garden Self Guided Tour
Friends of Foster Garden, The Outdoor Circle
The Loulu palm is endemic to Oʻahu and is part of the Arecaceae family. Loulu are single-trunked palm trees with fan-shaped leaves.
A "heiau mapele" in Hawaiian culture refers to a temple or place of worship specifically dedicated to the god Lono, associated with agriculture and prosperity. These heiau were for the makaʻainana or commoners. Seasonally, within their districts, small heiau of loulu were erected for the gods who presided over fishing.