Thomas R. Foster

Thomas R. Foster(1835 – August 20, 1889) was the founder of the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company. Inter-Island became the largest passenger and cargo steamship operator in the Hawaiian Islands and the parent company of Inter-Island Airways, which later changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines. Foster's home and land were donated to the city of Honolulu, and is now the Foster Botanical Garden.

Thomas R. Foster
Born1835
Fisher's Grant, Nova Scotia, Canada
DiedAugust 20, 1889
San Francisco, CA
Resting placeMakiki Cemetery in Honolulu, HI
OccupationShipbuilder and founder of Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company
Spouse(s)Mary Robinson Foster
Children0

Shipbuilding

Foster was a shipbuilder in Canada that moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1857.[1] He found employment with shipbuilder John Robinson and married his daughter Mary Robinson in 1861.[2]

Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company

On February 7, 1883, Captain Foster incorporated the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company.[3][4] Some of the company's early ships included the SS James Makee, SS Planter, SS C.R. Bishop, SS Iwalani, and the SS Helene.[4] After the acquisition of the Wilder Steamship Company in 1905, Inter-Island became the largest steamship company in the Hawaiian Islands.[5] In 1929, Inter-Island Steam Navigation incorporated a subsidiary, Inter-Island Airways which changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines in 1941.

T.R. Foster Building

T.R. Foster Building

In 1891, shortly after Foster's death, Inter-Island erected the T.R. Foster building at the intersection of Nuuanu Avenue and Merchant Street in the heart of Honolulu's Merchant Square.[6] The T.R. Foster Building was originally used as a warehouse, but currently houses a bar and restaurant.[7]

Foster Botanical Garden
Foster Botanical Garden

Foster lived next door to botanist Dr. William Hillebrand, who had come to Hawaii from Germany for his own health. Hillebrand grew a beautiful garden at his home and published the book Flora of the Hawaiian Islands[8] after he returned to Germany in 1884. Foster bought Hillebrand's home and gardens and continued to cultivate them with his wife Mary. After Foster's death in 1889, Mary continued to care for the gardens until her death in 1930. Mary gave the gardens to the city of Honolulu with the stipulation it would be named "Foster Botanical Garden".

Death

Foster died on August 20, 1889 at the age of 54 while on a trip to San Francisco.[1] He is buried at the Makiki cemetery in Honolulu.[9]

References
  1. Hackler, Rhoda. "Foster Botanic Garden, 1853–1990: Contributions of a Doctor, a Donor, a Forester, and a Park Architect P. 89-93" (PDF). Evols: University of Hawaii Library. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  2. Kapadia, Kamal. "Mary's Gift". Hana Hou! The Magazine of Hawaiian Airlines. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  3. "The Hawaiian Kingdom 1874–1893 P.102-103". Ulukau: The Hawaiian Electronic Library. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  4. Banham, Russel (2014). Hawaiian. Nashville, TN: Greenwich Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-941800-00-3.
  5. Cohen, Stan (1986). Hawaiian Airlines: A Pictorial History of the Pioneer Carrier in the Pacific. Missoula, MT: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co. p. 10. ISBN 0-933126-81-6.
  6. "Merchant Square: An Historic Restoration Projectin Downtown Honolulu" (PDF). The Beal Corporation. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  7. "T. R. Foster Building". HiChinatown. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. Flora of the Hawaiian Islands. openlibrary.org. OL 6959988M. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  9. "Foster". Find-a-grave. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
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