Master Collector, Don Francisco de Paula Marin

Don Francisco de Paula Marin, a trusted advisor to Kamehameha I, was known for his interest in plant collecting. His gardens were filled with trees, vines and shrubs from elsewhere. Marin turned this hobby into a "ship supply" business and provided fresh fruits and vegetables to the crews of ships docked at Honolulu Harbor.

Most of the plants collected by Marin did not thrive here. His alien gardens had little direct impact on Hawaiian agriculture. However, other aliens could have accompanied the plants that came to Marin's gardens - if any of these survived, are they now helpful or hurtful to Hawai‘i ?

"Assemblée des Chefs des Iles Sandwich en conference avec le Commandant de la Venus," by Louis-Jules Masselot.

This is the only known engraving showing what Marin looked like. He is the isolated figure seated on the platform at the right.

In 1837 the rights of the French in the Islands were determined. Capt. Du Petit-Thouars presented an argument for favorable treatment before Kamehameha III and high chiefess Kina'u. The King's retainers and his trusted advisor, Don Francisco de Paula Marin, attended the meeting.

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