Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands — Story, Setting & Ideas

Structure and Scope

The book's index reveals a deliberate arrangement: entries follow a consistent pattern—scientific name, common name, plate reference, then descriptive text. Wilder covers both introduced and native species, such as the avocado (Persea gratissima) with three plates, and the endemic Vaccinium reticulatum (Ohelo). The inclusion of coffee (Coffea arabica and C. liberica) and ornamentals like banana indicates a broad definition of 'fruit' that includes economically important plants. Each entry typically notes origin, cultivation history, and local Hawaiian names or uses, as seen with the 'Noni' (Morinda citrifolia), whose seeds 'will float a great length of time in salt water.'

Botanical Precision and Local Knowledge

Wilder blends scientific description with observations from Hawaiian horticulture. For the banana, he notes that 'about fifty varieties were known to the older natives' but that the Chinese banana introduced in 1855 'has crowded out the native varieties, many of which are now extinct.' This remark, grounded in local history, appears without editorializing. Similarly, the Ohelo entry states it 'has always been a favorite subject of Hawaiian songs and legends' and 'was used as one of the offerings to the Goddess Pele.' Such cultural notes are woven into botanical facts, not separated into a thematic section. The text also includes practical propagation advice, as for banana: 'Propagation is by off-shoots or suckers.'

The Role of the Plates

Each entry references a half-tone plate, and the excerpts include captions such as 'Plate LXVII. — Banana —" Maia. " One half natural size.' The plates are integral: they depict fruit and sometimes foliage at natural size or reduced scale, with labels like 'Moa Largo Popoulu Red Cuban Lele Chinese G. P. W. Collection.' Wilder's collection is credited, suggesting he supplied specimens. The visual documentation complements the text, allowing readers to compare varieties. For the currant tomato, the plate shows '100 to 40 small, currant-like red berries'—a rare numerical detail that hints at the precision of the illustrations.

Hawaiian Context and Ecological Notes

Wilder frequently situates species within Hawaiian geography and ecology. The Ohelo 'thrives best in the higher elevations, from 4000 to 8000 feet' and 'grows particularly well on the mountain slopes of Hawaii and Maui.' He notes its role as 'the principal food of the rare Hawaiian goose.' The 'Popolo' (Solanum nodiflorum) is described as 'common to most tropical countries, and in Hawaii was probably of aboriginal introduction.' These details, drawn from observation and local knowledge, give the catalog a regional specificity. The book does not claim completeness; rather, it presents a snapshot of early 20th-century Hawaiian fruit cultivation, with species already in decline.

Readers approaching Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands should treat it as a reference work best consulted entry by entry, not read straight through. The plates and descriptions reward comparison across species. Wilder's quiet documentation of extinct or declining varieties—like the native bananas—adds historical weight. For gardeners or botanists interested in Pacific horticulture, this book offers a precise, period-specific record of what was grown and valued in Hawaii a century ago.

I kept thinking about Wilder’s Hawaiian fruit book long after closing it—the way a single breadfruit tree can hold an entire island’s memory. It made me wonder about other fruits carrying quieter histories. So I found myself with The Almond in California — Background and Themes, and it lingers the same way, gently. Some books just sit with you, unhurried, like old friends.