author
Gerrit Parmile Wilder
1863–1935
A Hawaii-born botanist and horticultural writer, he explored the plants and fruits of the Pacific with a close observer’s eye. His books open a window onto the natural history of Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, and Rarotonga in the early 20th century.
1 Audiobook
Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands
by Gerrit Parmile Wilder
About the author
Born in Honolulu on November 5, 1863, he became known as a botanist, horticulturist, and writer with deep ties to Hawaiʻi. He came from the prominent Wilder family and spent much of his life studying island plant life and sharing that knowledge in clear, practical books.
His best-known works include Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands, as well as studies such as The Breadfruit of Tahiti and Flora of Rarotonga. These books reflect a strong interest in useful plants, especially fruit trees, and in the wider botany of the Pacific.
Later in life, he carried out botanical exploring in South Pacific island groups and was connected with work that helped document and introduce valuable fruit and ornamental plants. He died on September 29, 1935, leaving behind writings that still matter to readers interested in Hawaiian and Pacific natural history.