Orchid Isles
Paul Wood / Photography by Ron Dahlquist
104p. Color
$12.99
Island Heritage

“Orchid Isles” is the story of how one of the world’s loveliest flowers became one of Hawai‘i’s greatest treasures. Author Paul Wood’s humorous and detailed account of the history of the orchid and the plant’s journey to the Hawaiian Islands is as entertaining as it is educational. Orchids, some may be surprised to learn, are not (for the most part) endemic to the Islands. So how did Hawai‘i become known as the Isle of the Orchids?

Wood provides the surprising answer with portraits of the people who helped the orchids take root in the Islands. He also offers a comprehensive look into the larger subject of orchids themselves, including detailed descriptions of certain plants.   

Master photographer Ron Dahlquist has once again partnered with Wood (their previous book “Flowers and Plants of Hawai‘i” was also published by Island Heritage). His stunning macro photography splashes across each page, showcasing the stars of the book: the brilliantly-colored and -decorated orchids, which obviously were all dressed in their Sunday best for this appearance.

Dahlquist’s work captures the beauty of these dazzling flowers while Wood describes the unlikely journey the flower would have had to make to reach the Hawaiian Islands. Wood then continues the story about the flora’s continued growth and success as not only a beautiful flower but also a mainstay of commerce for Hawai‘i.

A bonus feature is contact information for the orchid societies on every island.

Anyone with a love for flowers, and especially a passion for orchids, will want to include “Orchid Isles” in their library—a  lovely book about an even lovelier subject.